Will Power admits his chances of winning a second IndyCar championship rely on how his title rivals perform, chiefly points leader Scott Dixon.

Speaking ahead of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono, the Aussie gave a frank assessment of his chances of overhauling the championship leader.

“We just need him to have a bad day basically” remarked Power during an IndyCar media teleconference. “We need him to have a bad run, simple as that.”

Great speed, too many DNFs

Despite leading the IndyCar championship after his momentous Indy 500 win, Power now finds himself 87-points behind Dixon with four races to run. The 2015 series champion – still on a high from his maiden Indy win – is philosophical about the season run-in.

“Obviously, Newgarden and Rossi are very reachable. But Dixon, we need him to have a band run. That’s how we’re going to catch him”, said Power.

Contrasting his own fortunes with those of Dixon, Power is clear about why he is not further up the point standings: DNF’s.

“As far as the championship goes, had great speed, great qualifying. Just had too many DNF’s basically.” Dixon on the other hand – in the words of Power himself –  has “had a very good run all year, very smooth, very consistent.”

Power still in the game

Unsurprisingly the Penske driver is not about to give up on his title chances just yet.

With the season finale paying double points, Power is very much still in the fight for the championship: “It (the point standings) can change very quick. I was 70 points out coming into the month of May. I left the month of May leading the championship.”

The season run-in starting with Pocono on August 19 and finishing with back-to-back road courses, looks favourable for the 37-year-old.

Power took his second Pocono career win last year and remains one of the strongest road course racers on the grid. A three-time winner at Sonoma, the Indy 500 winner is also one of only a handful of drivers with experience of the new-for-2018 Portland Raceway

“Double points helps you if you’re far back like I am. You obviously would be very aggressive with your strategy depending on how you do in qualifying. You’d be going there to try to win the race.”

For now however, Power’s focus is on the ABC Supply 500 and a track he enjoys immensely: “(Pocono) is a great race circuit. Really, really cool. A lot of fun. It’s one of my favorite tracks.”