Will Power
A fiercely fast and precise driver who combines relentless qualifying speed with the patience to become an IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Australian racing driver·Birthday: March 1·Millennials
Biography
Will Power's name is a perfect descriptor for his driving style: aggressive, direct, and brimming with controlled fury. The Australian from Toowoomba carved his path in American open-wheel racing not through family money or hype, but through sheer, undeniable speed, particularly over a single lap. He holds the all-time IndyCar record for pole positions, a statistic that speaks to his raw talent and technical synergy with his team. For years, this qualifying brilliance was contrasted with near-misses in the championship, earning him an unwelcome 'bridesmaid' reputation. He shattered that narrative by winning the 2014 series title, and later conquered the sport's greatest prize, the Indianapolis 500, in 2018. Power's career is a study in evolution, maturing from a volatile, win-or-crash rookie into a calculating veteran who manages races as well as he dominates qualifying, securing his place among the modern greats.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Will was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Will Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Will's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2018 Indianapolis 500, motorsport's most famous race.
- Secured the IndyCar Series championship twice, in 2014 and 2022.
- Holds the all-time IndyCar record for career pole positions.
- Has earned over 40 IndyCar race victories, placing him fourth on the all-time wins list.
Did You Know?
He is an avid pianist and often plays to relax before races.
He is known for his meticulous and detailed approach to car setup and race strategy.
He won the Mario Andretti Trophy as the IndyCar season's road course champion a record seven times.
Before his IndyCar success, he won the 2006 Champ Car World Series rookie of the year award.
“You have to be aggressive but smart. It's a fine line.”
