This was published 4 years ago
From Toowoomba to the West Wing, racing driver Will Power's big day in DC
Washington: A rare sound could be heard in the West Wing of the White House on Tuesday: an Australian accent. And it was not the voice of a politician or a diplomat but of racing car champion Will Power.
Last May the Queenslander became the first Australian to win the Indy 500 - one of the world's three most prestigious motor-sport events. The race attracts 300,000 spectators each year to Indianapolis, making it the best attended single-day sporting event on the planet.
Australian Indy 500 driver Will Power with Australian Ambassador to the US Joe Hockey on Tuesday.
During his visit to the White House the 38-year old Power met with US Vice President and IndyCar fan Mike Pence.
The Indy 500 is held in Pence's home state, and the former governor has attended the race over a dozen times.
"It was a surreal experience to stand in that office and think of all the influential decisions that have been made in that room," Power said in an interview in Washington.
"For a boy from Toowoomba to meet the vice president of the United States, it's pretty cool."
US President Donald Trump was working in his office nearby when the pair spoke, Power said. He later posted a video of the tour on Twitter.
Power's historic Indy 500 victory was celebrated at an official function at the home of Australia's US ambassador Joe Hockey on Tuesday.
Several members of the US Congress attended the event, as did IndyCar chief executive Mike Miles and trucking magnate Roger Penske. A former race car driver himself, Penske owns the legendary race team that has featured Power as a star member since 2009.
The big hit at the function was the number 12 silver Chevrolet that Power drove to victory almost exactly a year ago.
The silver Chevrolet car Will Power drove to victory last year, on Joe Hockey's front lawn.
"I don't think I'd be able to fit in that," Hockey joked.
The car was transported from a museum in Indianapolis for the occasion and displayed on Hockey's front lawn.
"It's like a reunion," Power said of being reacquainted with the vehicle.
"Winning the Indy 500 was the highlight of my career."
Power now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his American wife and he has taken out dual US citizenship. But he remains a proud Australian.
Last year he was named an honorary patron of the Australian government's Mateship program, which celebrates the country's relationship with the US.
And he enjoys mentoring up-and-coming IndyCar drivers like 18-year old Cameron Shields, a fellow Toowoomba boy who attended the event on Tuesday.
Power will attempt to defend his Indy 500 title on Sunday, local time. He has qualified in sixth place and is the bookies' equal favourite alongside team mate Simon Pagenaud.
"You can't predict the result but I know we are in the game," he said.
"I'm sure we can challenge for a win."