Team Penske Scores Pair of Top-10 Finishes in Kansas
April 27, 2008
Photo courtesy of IMS Photo
Kansas City, Kan. -- Both Team Penske drivers finished among the top seven Sunday while Helio Castroneves maintained his lead in the IndyCar Series standings in the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway.
Castroneves finished fourth in the No. 3 Team Penske Honda/Dallara and heads into next week’s preparations for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 as the IndyCar Series leader.
“Thankfully, we were able to stay out of trouble and bring home a fourth-place finish, which keeps us in the championship lead heading into Indy,” Castroneves said. “We’ve ran consistently well the first part of the season, and I have no doubt that the team will continue to give me the car I need to go for my third Indianapolis 500 win next month.”
While Castroneves was finishing fourth, teammate Ryan Briscoe was scoring a seventh-place finish in the No. 6 Team Penske Honda/Dallara, his best effort in four races this season.
"I thought today was a good race for Team Penske,” Briscoe said. “We had a solid car and I'm fairly happy with our result. The final laps were a little frustrating, because I think I had better than a seventh-place car. I was just trying to play it safe, looking for a solid finish. I thought it was a good day for me and I feel like I learned a lot out there.”
Both drivers go into the month of May as favorites to win the Indy 500. Castroneves is a two-time winner of the race, while Briscoe finished fifth last year while driving for Luczo Dragon Racing.
Team owner Roger Penske has won the race a record 14 times. Action begins May 4 with rookie orientation. The first day of regular practice is scheduled for May 6.
Castroneves finished fourth in the No. 3 Team Penske Honda/Dallara and heads into next week’s preparations for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 as the IndyCar Series leader.
“Thankfully, we were able to stay out of trouble and bring home a fourth-place finish, which keeps us in the championship lead heading into Indy,” Castroneves said. “We’ve ran consistently well the first part of the season, and I have no doubt that the team will continue to give me the car I need to go for my third Indianapolis 500 win next month.”
While Castroneves was finishing fourth, teammate Ryan Briscoe was scoring a seventh-place finish in the No. 6 Team Penske Honda/Dallara, his best effort in four races this season.
"I thought today was a good race for Team Penske,” Briscoe said. “We had a solid car and I'm fairly happy with our result. The final laps were a little frustrating, because I think I had better than a seventh-place car. I was just trying to play it safe, looking for a solid finish. I thought it was a good day for me and I feel like I learned a lot out there.”
Both drivers go into the month of May as favorites to win the Indy 500. Castroneves is a two-time winner of the race, while Briscoe finished fifth last year while driving for Luczo Dragon Racing.
Team owner Roger Penske has won the race a record 14 times. Action begins May 4 with rookie orientation. The first day of regular practice is scheduled for May 6.