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Penske's Power still eyeing IndyCar title bid after missing St Pete

Penske driver Will Power is ready to embrace a "low-pressure situation" in his bid to join the IndyCar title fight after missing the first race

The 2014 champion was ruled out of the St Petersburg season opener with what was originally deemed a concussion but later reclassified as a result of muscle tension.

Power has tested at Barber Motorsports Park since his accident, but heads to this weekend's second round at Phoenix International Raceway 51 points behind team-mate and St Pete winner Juan Pablo Montoya.

"A 51-point deficit is a big hit off the bat, but as we've seen in IndyCar there is a lot of racing to unfold and the two double-points races mixes things up," Power said.

"Anything can happen from here. I just have to put my head down and go from here.

"It's somewhat of a low-pressure situation.

"It will be a season-long process, really, clawing back points little by little - it will go up and down.

"You will have some real good days and real bad days.

"I hope to have a chance going into the last race with a chance and able to win it.

"If so, that will be a very good year. An interesting story."

Ahead of its first race in Phoenix since 2005, IndyCar tested on the one-mile oval in February.

Opinion among leading drivers on the rules package was split afterwards, and Power admits there are questions to be answered.

"The Gs are going to be physical and people will be hoping for some yellows," Power said.

"I'll be interested to see if two grooves open up or if we'll be stuck in one groove.

"It will be interesting to see how the racing plays out.

"With how much grip the car has it feels like it will be really good.

"But it handles differently with all the turbulent air and with 22 cars out there it will be a lot of dirty air."

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