Penske Racing's Will Power made a successful return to the cockpit in a private test at Sebring this week, five months after suffering a broken back.
The 29-year-old Australian's 2009 season came to a premature end when he slammed into Nelson Philippe's stranded car during practice at Infineon Raceway last August. While he was sidelined, the team completed a deal for him to run a full-time program in a third car this year, and the private session at Sebring on Monday marked his return to the cockpit following his recovery.
"I'm not sore at all," said Power. "While I was on my back, I was having a good think about it – although it ended badly last year, it was a great season for me. I ended up with a full-time ride with one of the best teams in IndyCar, and I'm really ready to come back."
Power was initially signed by Penske as a stop-gap substitute while Helio Castroneves was in court on tax evasion charges last year. Following the Brazilian's exoneration and return to racing, Power was kept on for a partial program with Penske and took his first IndyCar Series win at Edmonton.