(This story originally appeared as exclusive content on the Verizon INDYCAR Mobile app.)

Verizon has been a key part of Will Power’s spectacular ride at Team Penske, beginning with the 2009 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Since then, Power has posted impressive numbers in the Verizon IndyCar Series with 29 of his 32 Indy car wins and 44 of his 50 career pole positions.

Power’s prominence combined with team owner Roger Penske’s business savvy helped convince Verizon to become a key part of INDYCAR after it was turned away by NASCAR due to exclusivity rights with a competing title sponsor.

Penske asked Verizon officials to “take a good look at INDYCAR” and the company agreed.

From that first race with Power at Long Beach, Verizon’s interest grew to the point that, beginning in 2014, it became title sponsor for the entire series in addition to continuing its role at Team Penske. Verizon has been integral in the continued growth of INDYCAR and will conclude its five-year run as entitlement sponsor of the IndyCar Series this year.

Verizon plans to remain a key partner at Team Penske after 2018 as the primary sponsor for Power’s Chevrolet.

“Having a brand like Verizon as the sponsor was great for the series, the activation they did and the (Verizon INDYCAR Mobile) app they created was such a great partner for INDYCAR,” Power said in an interview at Team Penske headquarters in North Carolina. “It’s unfortunate the (series entitlement) contract is coming to an end, but their time was great for the series.”

The good news for Power is Verizon will remain as his sponsor at Team Penske. And that will continue a successful relationship that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2019.

“It was a good situation for me because we had them on at Long Beach and I finished second and they remained with me for a limited schedule in 2009,” Power recalled. “To have them join me full time in 2010 was such a good feeling to know I had a full-time ride with Roger Penske with Verizon as the sponsor.

“I have really enjoyed my time and to race a car with Verizon on the side of it, I have done proudly.”

Power has been featured in Verizon commercials and other media initiatives throughout his career and looks forward to doing more in the future.

“Doing commercials was really fun with Verizon,” Power said.

His best memory was winning the Verizon IndyCar Series championship in 2014 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

“To win the Verizon IndyCar championship in the Verizon car was pretty cool for me,” Power said. “Pretty, pretty, pretty cool. It’s the highlight of my career for me.”