Will Power just misses out on Indy 500 glory

INDIANAPOLIS - Will Power earned his first Indy 500 podium result Sunday, but of course, no one is satisfied with second place at the Yard of Bricks. 

Better to be second than first

“I probably needed him to pass me a little bit earlier so I could adjust for the car, know what I mean? I had too much push," he told Motorsport.com about racing Juan Pablo Montoya for the win.

Anywhere else I'd be happy with second. But here it sucks.

Will Power

"If Dixon had stayed there, because he was on lower downforce, I could stay out front," explained Power. "I saw Juan get him. I thought I might be safe. I actually felt I could get it back. I just had an imbalance out front leading. Out front, it was loose. When you get behind, I readjusted for that."

A difficult position

"It's a difficult position, right? If it goes yellow, you win the race. You want to lead.

"I really fought hard to make sure I was leading all the time. Then again, if it's going to go green, you get a bit of experience behind the way these cars draft."

Discussing what he would have done differently in those final five miles, he said: "The only thing I could have done was not lead. And I understand the car, I just had too much push when he got by. I had to lift on that last lap. I could get close enough because I ran a little less downforce than him."

"He was definitely better when he got behind me. That's why he got the run. Anywhere else I'd be happy with second. But here it sucks. It was a great day."

"It's kind of funny. Pole, win, second, second," he noted. "Not what I was looking for. There was some great battling out there.

"I have to give it to the drivers in the race.  Fair, clean, but close and hard. That's all you can ask for."