Briscoe Ready For Inaugural Edmonton IndyCar Series Event

July 23, 2008


RYAN BRISCOE, driver of the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda

REXALL EDMONTON INDY
EDMONTON CITY CENTRE AIRPORT
JULY 24th – 26th, 2008

Fast Facts:

  • Last week at Mid-Ohio, Briscoe started second and led twice for a race-high 43 laps on his way to his second career IndyCar Series victory.  His win, coupled with teammate Helio Castroneves’ second-place finish marked Team Penske’s eighth one-two finish in IndyCar Series competition. The last one came in 2005 in Phoenix when Sam Hornish Jr. won and Castroneves finished second.  This was also the Team’s 35th one-two finish in its open-wheel history.
  • With his win in Mid-Ohio, Briscoe moved from eighth to fifth place in the IndyCar Series points standings (296 points).
  • Teammate Castroneves’ pole in Mid-Ohio and Briscoe's second-place start was the 49th front row sweep for the Team, and their 13th since joining the Indy Racing League.  The last time they swept the front row was in Kentucky in 2006 when Castroneves took the pole and Sam Hornish Jr. started second.  Hornish Jr. went on to win and Castroneves finished third.
  • Three weeks ago in Watkins Glen, Briscoe earned his second career IndyCar Series pole; and led a race-high 37 laps. Unfortunately, he was caught up in an incident when the No. 9 car (Scott Dixon) spun in front of him during a caution period on lap 49, which forced him into the pits to repair damage to his front wing.  The Team Penske crew repaired the car and got Briscoe back on the track on the lead lap for a 12th 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 #6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda.
  • While the 2008 IndyCar Series season marks Briscoe’s first year driving the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda; this is the second year the 26 year-old Australian has driven for Penske Racing.  In 2007, Briscoe shared driving responsibilities with teammate Sascha Maassen for the No. 6 DHL Penske Porsche RS Spyder in the American LeMans Series' LMP2 class, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors.
  • In the 31 IndyCar Series events Briscoe has driven to date, he’s earned two wins (Milwaukee & Mid-Ohio – 2008), two poles (Watkins Glen – 2008; Sonoma – 2005), five top-five finishes (Watkins Glen – 2006; Indianapolis – 2007; Milwaukee , Texas and Mid-Ohio- 2008), twelve top-ten finishes and started in the top-ten sixteen times.

Penske Racing on Permanent Road/Temporary Street Courses:

  • Penske Racing has earned 52 of its 136 race wins on permanent/temporary street courses in their 41-year history of open-wheel racing.
  • Team Penske has earned three victories when competing in Canada; Al Unser Jr. won in Vancouver in 1995 and 1994, and Paul Tracy won in Toronto in 1993.

Did You Know?

  • Briscoe has led laps in each of the three permanent road/temporary street course races run this season, including the most laps at Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio for a total of 91 out of 228 (40%).  In addition, he’s earned one win (Mid-Ohio) and one pole (Watkins Glen).

Briscoe on the Rexall Edmonton Indy:

“I always enjoy going to new circuits, and from what I’ve heard about the track in Edmonton, I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend. The other drivers have been saying that it’s a lot like Cleveland in that it’s an airport circuit that’s wide and fast with a lot of passing areas and different lines to try. If this is the case, I expect it to be a very competitive race with a lot of action for the fans. I hope I can carry the momentum from last weekend’s win at Mid-Ohio into Edmonton.”

The Rexall Edmonton Indy will run on Saturday, July 26 at Edmonton City Centre Airport.  The race will be telecast live at 5 p.m. (EDT) by ESPN and will be broadcast on the IMS Radio Network.