Power eyes final push after closing to within five points of championship lead

The Penske driver has won the last two races and taken 57 points from Franchitti in the past three, and says his chief aim is to continue that momentum in the season's final stretch - particularly as he expects Motegi and Kentucky to suit him.

"To me, second in the championship means nothing," Power stated bluntly. "I want to win."

Having been hauled by Franchitti in the closing stages of 2010, Power said he and his crew we're extremely motivated to inflict a reverse on the Scot in 2011.

"It was a disappointment last year, I think the whole team feels that and we're very motivated. Anything can happen but all we can do is execute on race day - and that's what we've been doing."

Power also paid tribute to his Baltimore victory, saying his race had hinged on a 10-lap spell in which he pushed the hardest he has all year.

"I think the turning point of the race was the long yellow period," he explained. "Before that it was pretty straightforward, after that I had a ten-lap period to gain enough time to get back in front of them. That was a qualifying lap every time, and we were able to do it.

"It was the hardest I've pushed in ten laps in a race all year - I had to go for it. It was sort of fun in a way, that's what IndyCar should be about.

"It was also the probably the best podium ceremony of my career, just so massive, and on my cooling down lap there were so many people. It feels like the best race of the year: this is what IndyCar needs, events like this."