How Power became an IndyCar cult hero

If you've ever visited some of the more remote pockets of northern California, you might have seen guys like the one who currently has Will Power's attention in the paddock at Sears Point.

Not that Power has much choice. Roughly six feet tall, the gentleman is probably in his fifties, although near-permanent exposure to the sun has given his skin a leathery hue that makes it difficult to pinpoint his true age.

Long, straggly, greying hair hangs from beneath his brimmed hat, although his singlet is neatly tucked in behind a glinting belt buckle.

He's pointing to a blank spot on his otherwise heavily tattooed arm, having just declared his intention to fill the space with an illustration of the Penske racer.

"You're mad," says the Australian, clearly still trying to figure out whether the guy is serious. He is. And he wants to return later in the weekend, apparently to get a signature tattooed as well.

"Do you think you'll remember me?" he asks.

"I'm not likely to forget you if you've got me tattooed on your arm," Power counters.

The gentleman responds by gleefully flipping Power the bird with both hands, New Hampshire-style, and loudly beseeches him to not "let the f**kers break you down."

Power thanks him and begins to walk towards the Penske transporter.

New Hampshire was the catalyst for Power's elevation to cult status © LAT

"Hey, Will!" the man calls after him. "Your wife is smoking hot."

Welcome to life as a folk hero.

A week later, it's a very different interpretation of the same sentiment. The Baltimore post-race press conference has just concluded, and Power is making his way off the rostrum and back to the Penske transporter, keen to change out of a race suit still soaking in sweat and champagne after an arduous but ultimately successful afternoon.

But once again someone wants his attention, this time a local journalist brandishing a small plastic bag.

She presents it to Power with a flourish. "It's a little gift from the people of Baltimore," she says, reaching into the bag to reveal what appears to be an orange mouse mat in the shape of a crab.

"Wow," says Power. "Thanks."

Justifiably worried that he has missed the point, the woman scrambles out an explanation.

"It's a crab, for Maryland. And its claws are in the air, just like you at New Hampshire."

"No, I get it," Power says, although he still looks slightly baffled. "It's cool."

It's difficult to imagine what might happen if Lewis Hamilton were to react to a poor decision from race control by climbing out of his McLaren and flipping off the stewards on live television, but Power's momentary loss of composure at New Hampshire has turned him into an instant fan favourite among the IndyCar fraternity in the US.

Naturally, the incident resulted in an apology via official press release, and stories appeared online in the days that followed about how the incident was "out of character' for him.

Don't be fooled. This writer has known Power for a decade, and he's not a driver who keeps you guessing as to how he feels. If he's happy, you know about it. If he's edgy, you know about it.

And if he's pissed off... get onto YouTube and find the clip of New Hampshire.

Scenes like this have been common in 2011 © LAT

The New Hampshire incident is likely to become one of the iconic images of the season, but there had been smaller tremors leading up to it.

Taking title rival Dario Franchitti to task on Twitter for crashing into him at Toronto was one; calling his former Walker Racing Champ Car team-mate Alex Tagliani a w**ker at the same race was another.

Power's getting results, he feels secure in the team, he feels relaxed... he feels like himself. And for a series that enjoyed only limited success in its attempts to build a cult of personality around Danica Patrick, the emergence of a genuine character is a Godsend.

"You can't believe how many people want to talk [about New Hampshire]," Power tells AUTOSPORT. "It's just amazing. When I go to a track, people know who I am.

"I think with wins, and also things like when I called Tagliani a w**ker in Toronto, people recognise me now."

Power was fined US$30,000 in the wake of the New Hampshire incident, although he was given the option to work it off in the form of 'community service' (ie PR appearances) for the series.

Even if that option hadn't existed, several other teams who felt aggrieved by the way the end of that race was handled stepped up and offered to cover his costs.

The punishment sent the message of not tolerating disrespect towards officials, but privately IndyCar can't have wished for anything better. Motorsport is entertainment, and to make it work you need headliners.

Series CEO Randy Bernard is fond of talking about 'storylines'. In Power, he has someone capable of winning the hearts and minds of the grandstands... and the potential for a few more twists to the plot.