Power “Strategy key to winning at Road America”

Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, was third fastest in the second practice for the Kohler Grand Prix of Road America at Road America.  He says it was hard fought because the track is tricky and challenging.  He added the tires never feel into the road and also feels like it doesn’t have a lot of bite.  As a result, it takes balance to drive right at the track and to get good time.

“You see a lot of people making mistakes and pushing the limits,” Power stated. “These cars are crazy fast in the corners now, the Carrousel. Almost makes you wonder if you could be flat around there. I enjoy this track a lot.”

The Australian driver thinks qualifying will be interesting because both the red and black tire compounds are pretty close to the same. He also doesn’t think that you will get any gains on reds so most of the drivers will probably use the blacks during qualifying.

“It will be more interesting in the race because you’re seeing cords really early in the front tires, you know, almost after like nine laps or something,” Power added. “That’s going to be more controlling that, especially on the reds because they’re a softer compound.”

Power thinks it is going to be difficult to pass during the race at Road America as the braking zones are short and it is tough to get close to another car. He says it has nothing to do with the new aero kits on the cars either as it’s the same when they raced the old cars there too. He thinks it’s because it is a narrow track and it has low grip.

“You can definitely make some hay with ‘push to pass,” Power said. “Actually, I think they should have a non-reactive ‘push to pass’ system where the car in front can’t react and you’ll see a lot of passing.”

Power says strategy is key to winning at Road America, and everything has to go right for a driver and it won’t hurt to start the race up front either.

“You got to remember, 12 laps is a full stint,” Power quoted. “That’s it. You only get 12 laps. You got to remember the curbs around here are very abrasive. The tire is really good, it’s just the curbs. I think that’s more the issue than the actual tire. Firestone has a really good tire and it is reasonably consistent. When you start using the curbs, it gains you time, but you start tearing up the tires.”