Naming Will Power to a full-time ride at Team Penske was not only a tremendous move for the team, but also for the IZOD IndyCar^® Series as a whole because it adds another quality car and driver to the starting lineup.

Power proved himself worthy this past season in a limited role at team owner Roger Penske's team. He joined the team in 2009 as a replacement for Helio Castroneves, who was involved in a tax trial in Miami. Power knew if Castroneves had been convicted, the No. 3 Penske IndyCar would be his for the full season, but he would have to step aside and give the car back to Castroneves if he was cleared of his legal problems.

Castroneves' acquittal on April 17 brought a swift change for Power, who turned the car over to the Brazilian driver the next day. Power stepped into another Penske car - the No. 12 Verizon entry - and put it on the pole for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Power would make the most of his limited role at Team Penske by finishing fifth in the Indianapolis 500^® - a race won by Castroneves for the third time in his career. That earned Power a few more races with the team, including the Rexall Edmonton Indy when he drove to an impressive victory.

After that race, Power vowed that "Penske is the only team I want to race for."

"I would have stayed there no matter what, because it was a great situation for me to be driving there," Power said. "Every time I was in the car, it was a good car. It's no use running around the back of the field with a team that's sort of not up for the job, because you don't do yourself any favors.

"I want to be running up front all year. I really want to be a title contender. So I'll be doing my absolute best."

And that is a "Power-ful statement."

• Favorite food is Italian
• Enjoys playing squash, touch rugby and cricket
• Enjoys body surfing and any outdoor activities
• Has a rigid workout regimen that includes working out six times a week: swimming, cycling, running, rowing and martial arts training
• Loves all kinds of music, especially old school hip-hop

• Competed in only six races for Team Penske but made the most of it, earning his first career IZOD IndyCar Series pole at the prestigious Grand Prix of Long Beach and winning his first-career IZOD IndyCar race from the pole at Edmonton
• Earned a top-10 finish in every race he started

• Earned three top-five starts and three top-10 finishes in six road and street course events
• Finished third in Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year standings
• Tied KV Racing Technology teammate Oriol Servia for the best finish on an oval by a transitioning Champ Car driver with a fifth-place finish at Chicagoland
• Started fourth and finished first in the Champ Car finale at Long Beach
• Won pole for Nikon Indy 300 exhibition race at Surfers Paradise

• Finished fourth in the Champ Car World Series for Team Australia with wins at Las Vegas and Toronto
• Earned pole positions at Las Vegas, Edmonton, Surfers Paradise and Mexico City
• Recorded eight top-five and nine top-10 finishes