Reigning IndyCar champion Will Power has pulled out of the 24 Hours of Daytona, citing family health issues.
Power was set to make his debut with fellow Australian Kenny Habul and his SunEnergy1 team at the American classic, but will instead focus on the recovery of his wife Liz as she recovers from surgery.
Luca Stolz replaced Power, who Habul has enjoyed regular success with, winning the Bathurst 12 for last year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge opener. He’ll join Fabian Schiller and Axcil Jeffries in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GTD class.
Kenny Habul will make his sixth start at the American Endurance classic
“Liz has had a couple of complications after surgery this week and has a long recovery ahead of her,” Power said.
“Obviously, her health is my priority, and unfortunately that means I have had to put Daytona on hold.
“I have to thank Kenny (Habul) for the opportunity and his total understanding of our situation and the support he has shown. I will be cheering them on from North Carolina, and hopefully we get another opportunity to do something together in the future.”
Habul understands that family takes priority, and looks forward to working with Power again in the future.
“In these situations, it really goes without saying that family comes first. The first priority is Liz and her health, and we wish her the fastest recovery possible,” Habul said.
“Given our history racing against each other in Formula Ford in Australia all those years ago, it was going to be cool to drive with Will at Daytona, but I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities for us to team-up in the future.”
Power will start the defence of his second IndyCar title after a sensational year in which he broke Mario Andretti’s all time pole record, and won this first IndyCar crown since his 2014 triumph.
The first IndyCar round is on March 5 in Florida, on the streets of St Petersburg.
