Ryan Briscoe - Watkins Glen Race Preview

July 3, 2008


Photo courtesy IMS Photo.
Photo courtesy IMS Photo.

Fast Facts:

  • Briscoe will be making his second start at Watkins Glen International; his first appearance was in 2006 when he started tenth and finished third, marking his first IndyCar Series podium finish.
  • Last week in Richmond, Briscoe started eleventh, but was caught up in an incident on a re-start on lap 79 and damaged his left front suspension.  The Team Penske crew repaired the car and got Briscoe back on the track for a 15th place finish.
  • Earlier this season in Milwaukee, Briscoe earned his first IndyCar Series victory and Penske Racing's historic 300th win, after starting 11th and leading twice for a total of 36 laps. 
  • In St. Petersburg this past April, Briscoe started fifth and led his first laps (11) behind the wheel of the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda.
  • In the 28 IndyCar Series events Briscoe has driven to date, he’s earned one win (Milwaukee – 2008), one pole (Sonoma – 2005), four top-five finishes (Watkins Glen – 2006; Indianapolis – 2007; Milwaukee and Texas - 2008), eleven top-ten finishes and started in the top-ten thirteen times.

Penske Racing at Watkins Glen International:

  • Penske Racing has won three of the six Indy car races they've competed in at Watkins Glen International – Rick Mears won the last race for the Team in 1981 and Bobby Unser won in 1979 and 1980.
  • Penske Racing has earned 51 of its 135 race wins on permanent/temporary street courses in their 41-year history of open-wheel racing.

Did You Know?

  • Briscoe spent most of his earlier career competing on road courses throughout the world in Formula One and Formula 3. Since joining the IndyCar Series in 2005, he scored his first podium finish at Watkins Glen (2006) and his first career pole at Infineon Raceway (2005).

Briscoe on the Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen:

“The Glen is one of my favorite circuits in the world. It’s the site of my first IndyCar Series podium finish.  The track is fast with a lot of high-speed corners and elevation changes. It’s a very rewarding circuit, meaning if you turn a quick lap, you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.”