CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ For the past 10 years, the pictures have sat on Will Power's nightstand in a double frame.
On one side is the Astor Cup. On the other, the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Together, these two honors represent the pinnacle of IndyCar racing. The Astor Cup is a symbol of sustained success, awarded annually to IndyCar's series champion. The Borg-Warner Trophy goes to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, the sport's iconic race held every Memorial Day weekend.
Power has spent the past decade trying to win both of them. He finished second in total points for three consecutive seasons before finally winning the series championship _ and an Astor _ in 2014.
As for the Borg-Warner? Well, that's why Power was in Charlotte, strolling through Romare Bearden Park in late June. He won the first Indy 500 of his career on May 27. It was a relief like no other for a driver who, at 37, has achieved virtually everything else.
Behind him, two Team Penske employees rolled the Borg-Warner _ over 5 feet tall, 110 pounds and silver _ toward the park fountains for a photo shoot. Power watched them, then began to reflect.
His victory was historic in other ways, too. He became the first driver living in North Carolina to win the Indy 500, as well as the first Australian-born driver to do so. He's tied for eighth in IndyCar history with 34 career victories.
But Power's path wasn't a standard one. There were tough decisions, Christmases when he didn't know what the next year held.
Liz Power, his wife, felt the pressure, too. They did it together _ no, made it together.
That's why the pictures of the Astor Cup and Borg-Warner Trophy are still by the bed, even though he's now won both of them. They are a reminder of where they were, and where they now are.
Says Will: "When you think about where it started, and the situation I was in before ..."
Then he trails off briefly, which makes sense because there's a lot to talk about.
