IRL's Team Penske shifts gears with new color scheme, lineup

[Blue_Tires]

Not since the IRL's creation in 1996 and its merger with the Champ Car World Series in 2008 has open-wheel racing undergone so much change in so little time, a wave that even swept up Team Penske, its pre-eminent operation.
At the same time, one constant remains after a long but busy offseason that saw clothier Izod become the IndyCar Series' title sponsor and former pro bull riding head Randy Bernard assume leadership of the series, which itself is plotting a new business plan. As preseason open testing runs today and Thursday at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala., champion outfit Chip Ganassi Racing and Penske once again are the targets other teams will shoot for, though rivals could be excused for being confused by the latter's new color scheme and lineup.

Then again, the changes Penske announced Tuesday fit the dominant theme as the team formally unveiled its first three-car lineup since 1994, with Will Power promoted to full-time duty in the Verizon Wireless-sponsored No. 12 Dallara/Honda. He joins fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe, third in the 2009 standings, and defending Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves.


STANDINGS: 2009 final IndyCar leaders

The latter two have eschewed the red-and-white scheme of 20-year former sponsor Philip Morris for black and white with red trim.

"I hope we have the results like we did in '94," said Penske President Tim Cindric, referring to the season in which teammates Al Unser Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy finished one-two-three in the CART standings. "It's the end of one era and the start of a new one."

Though a back injury limited Power to six races last season, he won the Edmonton street race from the pole and posted top-10s in the other starts to earn full-time status even as Cindric said the team seeks sponsorship.

"It should help us, especially with limits on testing," Briscoe said. "Will doesn't need a warm-up. He'll be a good addition, and we'll be good teammates."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2010-02-23-team-penske_N.htm