Toowoomba's Will Power claims historic Indy 500 win

Dedication, passion, skill and fearlessness contribute to Will Power's IndyCar success.

MAGIC MOMENT: Toowoomba's Will Power celebrates winning his first ever Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Picture: Chris Graythen

MOTORSPORT: It is the one box that Toowoomba's Will Power has waited his entire racing career to check.

A win that rules over all of Power's previous IndyCar victories and will stand alongside his 2014 IndyCar series win.

A victory more than decade in the making - the Indianapolis 500.

"This completes my career,” Power said.

"It's the one box that I've wanted to check for so long and now I have.

"I can't explain what it really means to me. It's the single biggest race in the world. A race that everyone wants to be a part of and to win.

"It's absolutely amazing. I feel honoured.”

Like he does every year, Will's father Bob was up at midnight Monday (Australian time) to watch the race.

Alongside a small group of "die-hard” supporters in his Toowoomba lounge room, Bob said he was on tenterhooks when his son took the lead with four laps remaining.

"So much can happen in four laps in IndyCar,” Bob Power said.

"Yellow flags, crashes, mechanical incidents, the whole race can change in the blink of an eye.

"I was excited. I knew this was his best chance, but I was very nervous at the same time.”

Nerves soon turned to elation though when Will finally crossed the line.

"I'm absolutely thrilled - it was amazing seeing him cross the line,” Bob Power said.

"I know it's that one box he's wanted to tick for a long time.

"He always wanted to win it.

"When I spoke to him he was over the moon.”

Power's Indy 500 victory combined with his 2014 series win easily confirms the 37-year-old's status among the greats of the sport.

"He's always been a hard worker and very dedicated to improving himself,” Bob Power said.

"For years he's worked tirelessly to improve his driving technique. And when he joined IndyCar he focused on his nutrition and fitness - areas he knew would be key to being competitive.”

A true passion for driving and a degree of fearlessness also contributed to Power's success.

"He's had some pretty serious crashes and injuries in his time,” Bob Power said.

"I remember early in his career his car went end over end at Philip Island.

"He spent the night in hospital and told me he was thinking about giving it away.

"A few days later when he had recovered he told me he was ready to race again.

"I think he's always had that bit of talent but he's also pretty fearless.

"He loves a good challenge and he doesn't back down from anything.”

Originally published as Toowoomba's Will Power claims historic Indy 500 win