Will Power sees the Detroit Indy Grand Prix as arguably his strongest event of the season as the Australian looks ahead to the 16th race in the 2008 IndyCar Series at the Belle Isle street circuit in Detroit, Michigan this weekend.

Power is noted for his prowess on street circuits, with wins at Toronto and Las Vegas last season and Long Beach earlier this year in Champ Car competition.

When it comes to Power’s home event, the Nikon Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Power has earned the pole position the past two seasons and brought the massive home crowd to its feet with his wall-brushing qualifying laps.

Power visited the Belle Isle circuit during a promotional visit to Detroit in May earlier this year, throwing the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers baseball game shortly before making his Indianapolis 500 debut.

The driver from Toowoomba, Queensland had a smile on his face when he visited the tight and demanding venue, which suits his driving style and will make his one of the drivers to watch in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car this weekend.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power: #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“The track looks really technical and really nice,” said Power

“I’ve been looking forward to this track more than any other circuit other than Surfer's Paradise this year.

“It just looks like a good street circuit where you have to drive really well to get a quick lap.

“As soon as I saw it, I had a smile on my face.

“The whole Aussie Vineyards team was really disappointed after Sonoma. We showed that we had a top three car in qualifying but the brake failure ended our chances.

“I’m determined to get a strong result in Detroit. Our team knows what we are capable of – know we want to show everyone else so we are very focused on getting a top result this weekend.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“The street circuit in Detroit should suit Will’s style,” said Gore.

“He’s fast in the tight confines of a street circuit. I know he was very disappointed not to finish where he deserved in Sonoma so I think you will see him really pushing hard for a result in Detroit.”

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 15
1. #9 Scott Dixon 576
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 533
3. #10 Dan Wheldon 452
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 446
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 390
6. #7 Danica Patrick 345
7. #26 Marco Andretti 327
8. #27 Hideki Mutoh 315
9. #5 Oriol Servia 313
10. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 310
15. #8 Will Power 277

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 15
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 315
2. #8 Will Power 277
3. #02 Justin Wilson 271
4. #33 EJ Viso 262
5. #06 Graham Rahal 259
6. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 220
7. #19 Mario Moraes 217
8. #34 Jaime Camara 152
9. #96 Mario Dominguez 112
10. #24 Jay Howard 72