Will Power’s Sudden Withdrawal from the Daytona 24 Hours Due to Injury Risks Has Put His Contract with SunEnergy1 Racing at the Center of a Public Storm in the Daytona 24 Hours World

In the high-stakes world of endurance racing, where split-second decisions can define legacies, few stories have gripped the motorsport community like the abrupt exit of two-time IndyCar champion Will Power from the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Announced just days before the 2025 event’s Roar Before the 24 testing sessions, Power’s withdrawal—citing heightened injury risks from a nagging back issue—has ignited a firestorm of debate, legal scrutiny, and fan outrage. At the epicenter stands his multi-year contract with SunEnergy1 Racing, the Australian-owned GT powerhouse that had positioned him as a marquee addition to their lineup. What began as a precautionary health call has morphed into a broader conversation about athlete welfare, contractual obligations, and the blurred lines between personal safety and professional duty in the unforgiving arena of the Daytona 24 Hours.

Power, the 44-year-old Queensland native renowned for his 41 IndyCar wins and 2023 series title, was slated to pilot the No. 75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GTD class alongside team owner Kenny Habul, Fabian Schiller, and returning co-driver Luca Stolz. This would have marked Power’s long-delayed debut at the Rolex 24, an event he first teased in 2023 before pulling out due to family health matters. SunEnergy1, a solar energy firm turned racing juggernaut under Habul’s leadership, signed Power to a reported three-year deal in late 2024, blending his oval prowess with their GT endurance focus. The partnership promised cross-promotional synergies—Power’s star power boosting SunEnergy1’s U.S. market push—while offering the veteran a chance to diversify beyond IndyCar’s ovals into the strategic depth of sports car racing.

The catalyst for this chaos was a routine medical evaluation in early September 2025. Power, who has battled chronic back pain exacerbated by IndyCar’s G-forces, underwent an MRI that revealed micro-tears in his lower lumbar region. Doctors advised against the 24-hour grind at Daytona, where high-speed drafting in the banking and relentless stints could aggravate the injury into something career-ending. “It’s not about bravery; it’s about longevity,” Power stated in a terse Instagram post on September 10, his first public comment since the news broke. “I’ve got a family, a team in IndyCar counting on me, and years left to chase more wins. Risking paralysis for one race? That’s not racing; that’s recklessness.” The post, viewed over 500,000 times within hours, drew an outpouring of support from peers like Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden, but it also opened the floodgates for criticism.

The backlash was swift and multifaceted. SunEnergy1’s initial response—a measured press release expressing “full support” for Power’s decision—did little to quell the uproar. Habul, a former Supercars driver and SunEnergy1 CEO, faced immediate heat on social media platforms, where fans accused the team of poor planning. “Paying a champion to bail last-minute? That’s why we love underdogs, not quitters,” tweeted one prominent IMSA podcaster, amassing 2,000 likes. Hashtags like #PowerOut and #SunEnergyScandal trended on X (formerly Twitter) for 48 hours, with memes juxtaposing Power’s iconic Indy 500 celebrations against empty cockpit shots from Daytona’s garage area. More damning were whispers from within the paddock: Sources close to the team allege that Power’s contract includes a performance clause mandating participation in at least two IMSA events per season, with penalties for non-fulfillment. While exact terms remain confidential, industry insiders speculate a buyout could cost SunEnergy1 upwards of $500,000—pocket change for a firm with eight-figure sponsorships, but a PR nightmare nonetheless.

Legal experts in motorsport contracts have weighed in, framing the saga as a cautionary tale. “Endurance racing deals often hinge on ‘force majeure’ clauses for injuries, but ‘risk of injury’ is a gray area,” explained Atlanta-based attorney Maria Voss, who has represented drivers in similar disputes. “Power’s case tests whether self-preservation trumps team expectations. If SunEnergy1 pushes for breach, it could set precedents for how teams handle aging stars.” Habul, ever the diplomat, countered in a SiriusXM interview on September 15, emphasizing the team’s ethos: “Will’s health is paramount. We’ve raced together in spirit for years—Formula Ford days in Australia. This isn’t a storm; it’s a speed bump. Luca Stolz steps in seamlessly; we’ve got depth.” Indeed, Stolz, the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour co-winner with Habul, brings proven Daytona pedigree, having logged the fastest GTD lap in last year’s Roar sessions. The lineup swap was ratified by IMSA officials without delay, ensuring the No. 75 grid spot remains intact for the January 25-26 showdown.

Yet the ripple effects extend far beyond one car’s roster. Sponsors, ever vigilant in the endorsement game, have voiced unease. Rolex, the event’s titular backer, issued a neutral statement praising Power’s “commitment to safety,” but whispers suggest SunEnergy1’s solar panels—emblazoned across the Mercedes—may see reduced visibility if the team falters without its headliner. Broader implications loom for IndyCar-IndyCar crossovers; Power’s absence underscores the physical toll of multi-series schedules, echoing Josef Newgarden’s 2024 fatigue-induced DNF at Watkins Glen. Fan forums buzz with calls for reformed contracts that prioritize medical opt-outs, while some decry it as emblematic of “soft” modern athletics. “Daytona was built on grit—Power’s bailing cheapens that,” opined a veteran marshal on Reddit’s r/IMSA thread, which garnered 1,200 upvotes.

As the Roar Before the 24 commences this weekend, all eyes will be on SunEnergy1’s pit lane. Habul’s squad enters as dark horses, buoyed by Schiller’s Nürburgring exploits and Jeffries’ African rally cred from prior lineups. Simulations suggest the Mercedes could podium in GTD if traffic management clicks, but without Power’s tactical acumen—honed from 200 IndyCar starts—the pressure mounts. For Power, sidelined in Brisbane, the wait is bittersweet. “I’ll be back stronger, maybe for Sebring,” he told Australian outlet Speedcafe.com. “This isn’t goodbye to Daytona; it’s just not hello yet.”

In the end, this storm may forge resilience. SunEnergy1’s adaptability shines through, turning potential disaster into a showcase of depth. Power’s candor elevates the dialogue on racer health, potentially influencing policy from IMSA to the FIA. And as engines roar over Daytona’s high banks come January, the Rolex 24 will remind us: In racing, as in life, the real endurance test is navigating the unforeseen. Whether this saga strengthens or strains Power’s SunEnergy1 ties remains the paddock’s hottest bet—but one thing’s certain: It’s redefining the rules of risk in the world’s greatest endurance spectacle.