Highlights

Power contending for rookie of the year

(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-12 09:39

DENVER - A year ago, Team Australia invited Will Power to the Grand Prix of Denver for an informal meeting. The Champ Car World Series team needed a driver. More specifically, an Australian driver.

Power, who at the time was competing in the World Series Powered by Renault Championships in Europe, listened to their sales pitch, agreed to a driving test, impressed those that run the team and ultimately decided to switch over to Champ Car racing.

Given the fact he's the leader in the rookie of the year standings, Power feels good about the choice he made.

Team owner Derrick Walker knows he made the right call in picking the 25-year-old driver.

"All he cares and thinks about from one day to the next is racing," Walker said. "If he keeps doing what he's doing, I expect that he could win it (rookie of the year)."

If you want to see the Aussie's steel blue eyes light up, mention the award to him.

"I really want to win rookie of the year, I really do," the soft-spoken Power said.

Right now, though, it's all about laps. On Friday, during the morning practice session, Power completed 32 laps with his fastest time coming on the 31st (1:03.056). He turned in the most laps of any driver.

In contrast, Paul Tracy completed just 16 laps in the morning session.

Tracy spun out in the afternoon qualifying session, hitting the wall and losing the back end of his car. Tracy climbed over the wall on his own, but the car had to be hauled off.

A.J. Allmendinger guaranteed himself a spot on the front row by turning in the fastest time (1:00.714) during the qualifying session. Sebastien Bourdais, who's won the last two Grand Prix of Denver races, finished in second position (1:00.763) and Alex Tagliani was third (1:00.988).

Tagliani, who had a much-publicized shoving match with Tracy after a crash during a July 30 race in San Jose, Calif., said it was good to put the past in the rearview mirror. He's since made up with Tracy.

"It worked out for us today," Tagliani said.

Tagliani is also teammates with Power. Both are sponsored by Aussie Vineyards.

By the time Power came into the pits after the morning qualifying session, his tires were worn thin, but no one cared about the wear and tear on the Bridgestones.

"He needs the laps," Walker said.

Power had a faster showing in the afternoon, finishing the day in eighth position (1:01.587).

After a slow start to the season, Power has finished in the top seven the last three races. He knows that growing pains come with the territory.

"As a rookie, you don't want to do too many stupid things," Power said. "You want to get as much mileage at every race on the tracks as you can. You want to complete as many laps as you can, doing the best job you can.

"For me, it's a balance. I'm still learning. If you push too hard, you crash. If you don't push enough, you get passed."

It's hard for Power to believe that it's already been a year since his life veered onto a different course. He was doing well on the World Series Powered by Renault Championship circuit, winning at Le Mans and on a street course in Bilbao, Spain.

But then Team Australia came calling.

"I wasn't sure which way I should go," Power said. "But I'd just had a couple of bad races and that helped my decision."

Power raced in two Champ Car events last season, making his debut on the streets of Surfer's Paradise in Queensland, Australia. He placed 10th in Mexico City.

When Walker was putting together Team Australia, he knew he needed an Aussie for fans Down Under to rally around and embrace. He knows he made the right choice with Power.

"He's very impressive," Walker said. "His life is racing.

"He's real passionate about what he's doing."