IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has arranged a series of interviews with drivers going into this weekend's 2011 season finale in Las Vegas. He revealed the first conversation today on his Twitter account (@RBINDYCAR) with championship chaser going into Las Vegas, Will Power.
Bernard opened the six-pack of questioning saying Power (@12WillPower) was “a great sport” and that “we had a lot of fun with this.”
The initial question: “How much pressure is on your back going into Vegas, 50lbs, 500lbs or 5,000lbs?” Power responded, “0 pounds of pressure. I'm just going to show up and do my job the best possible way that I can.”
Driving for Roger Penske carries its own weight, where both on-track performance and off-track appearance are twofold to success within the confines of Team Penske.
“Does Mr. Penske ever get mad at you?” Bernard asked.
Power answered, “Not really. I think he has seen and been through so much in racing that nothing really gets him too upset. He's very even keeled.”
When asked his opinion of his championship rival Dario Franchitti as a driver, Power said, “He's a very good driver. He also seems to have the luck of the Irish on his side.”
Bernard then got to “the fun stuff” with the last three questions he posted on Twitter.
The CEO asked about Power's now-infamous double-middle-finger salute at New Hampshire: “Did Verizon really give you mittens after your famous salute?”
Yes would have been the simple answer, but Power expanded: “Yes, they did. Mittens with the Verizon logo on them. I got the message.”
Asked how his community service is going, Power responded: “Going well, I just got through putting another coat of wax on your car, and off to clean out the trash cans at IMS in a few mins.”
Lastly, Power's made the word “wanker” a staple of the IndyCar vernacular this year after calling Alex Tagliani that at Toronto. He explained what it was and then revealed his “top five wankers” per Bernard's last question.
“A wanker is basically a jackass,” Power explained. “I've also used it to refer to a driver who does something stupid on the racetrack.
“Everyone knows that [SPEED reporter] Robin Miller can be a wanker sometimes. Top 5 of the year (in no particular order): Robin Miller, you, Chip Ganassi, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon – just because he's a Kiwi. I guess I'm also a bit of a wanker, too, come to think of it.”
Bernard will reveal his interview with Dario Franchitti on Wednesday.