Aussie denies dirty tactics as title race heats up

Australia’s Will Power insisted he was racing cleanly after closing the gap on Spain’s Alex Palou in the IndyCar title race on Sunday (AEST).
Power finished second behind Mexico’s Pato O’Ward in Milwaukee while championship leader Palou was fifth.
That cut Palou’s lead from 54 to 43 points with two races remaining, both on ovals.
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Will Power of Australia prepares to drive. AP
Palou was twice boxed in on pit stops by Power, who was in the stall in front of him.
It forced Palou to get aggressive to get around Power’s car – and he needed to take an evasive manoeuvre when one of Power’s tyre changers was awfully close to the edge of the pit box as Palou pulled around his title rival.
He was monetarily penalised for “hitting another team’s equipment” as he pulled away.
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Power insisted he was not gaming the pit stops and was racing Palou cleanly.
“Not at all. I tried my best to be square,” Power said.
“The best thing I can do is hit my marks, that will give me the quickest stop. Going around Palou, none of that. I’m not into that. Just straight up shitty to do that sort of thing.”
Palou is still in control of the title race, which wraps up after Monday’s (AEST) second race in Milwaukee and then next month with the finale at Nashville Superspeedway.
Palou has never won an oval, while Power has 10 career victories on ovals, including one at Milwaukee.
Power has also raced before at Nashville, while Palou has not.
Both drivers are seeking a third IndyCar title.
For Palou, it would be his third in four years, while Power won the 2022 title in between Palou’s two campaigns.
“Palou is a serious contender, man,” Power said.
“Nothing can rattle that guy. Very tough to go head-to-head with him.”
Conor Daly, who was out of a ride earlier this season but hired last month to finish the year for Juncos Hollinger Racing, finished third in JHR’s first ever podium.
It was Daly’s first podium since 2016 and he celebrated by pouring the celebratory champagne all over his face.
“It feels amazing,” Daly said.
“We had a lot of bad luck, and I think a lot of people were wondering was this the guy to do it. They gave me the car to do it. I want to do well in the series. My goal is to be on the podium in this series, and it’s been far too long since I’ve been on the podium. It’s nice to get another one.”
Chevrolet swept the podium in IndyCar’s return to Milwaukee after an eight year absence.
Santino Ferrucci, who was running second late, gave up position to Power as his AJ Foyt Racing team has an alliance with Power’s Team Penske group.
Daly used the moment to squeeze his way through and Ferrucci fell to fourth.
Power said he didn’t expect Ferrucci to move over for him.
“Santino, I’m good friends with him,” Power said.
“I didn’t expect him just to move over. He deserved to be there and he’s going to fight for it.”
Either way, Daly thanked Power for creating the hole that gave him his podium.
“Is that how you got it?” Power asked.
“Yes,” Daly said.