Backstretch Motorsports

NEWTON, IOWA - Dario Franchitti is two-for-two at Iowa Speedway. The 2007 winner at the track found his way back to victory lane Sunday, winning the Iowa Corn Indy 250 by 5.0132 seconds over Ryan Briscoe.

Franchitti gave the credit to his Target Chip Ganassi Racing crew, which turned in a quick pit stop on Lap 196 of 250 as the leaders cycled through green flag stops.
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FORT WORTH, Texas - Helio Castroneves won for the third time at Texas Motor Speedway, grabbing the lead off a Lap 175 stop, courtesy of his Tim Cindric-led crew and was followed across the finish line by his Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe with a gap of 0.3904 of a second.

“It was an incredible day for Team Penske,” said the popular Brazilian. “All the credit also goes to Ryan Briscoe and his team. They push us and we push them, and together we’re pushing towards the top. Having first and second at Texas is not easy, so that’s a compliment for everyone. [read more...]

WEST ALLIS, WIS. — It’s a simple formula, really. When Target Chip Ganassi teams want a win, they leave it to Scott Dixon to provide.

The back and forth battle between the TCGR teams and the teams of Roger Penske for the 2009 IndyCar Series is the stuff of legend in the making.

Reigning IndyCar Series champion Dixon became the first driver to win for the second time in 2009, taking the checkered flag in the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 at The Milwaukee Mile ahead of 2008 race winner Ryan Briscoe. [read more...]

WEST ALLIS, WIS. (Saturday, May 30, 2009) - Team Penske drivers will start at opposite ends of the grid for the May 31 ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 at The Milwaukee Mile. Defending race winner Ryan Briscoe will start first after winning his fifth career IndyCar Series pole, while Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will start 20th after crashing during PEAK Performance Pole Qualifying.

Briscoe recorded a four-lap qualifying average of 1 minute, 26.7966 seconds, 168.394 mph to earn his first pole since the 2008 season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Graham Rahal will start second at Milwaukee for the second consecutive season after a qualifying effort of 168.117 mph.
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - If practice is any indication, Penske Racing expects to be right in the middle of the battle Saturday for the pole position for the 93rd Indianapolis 500.

Roger Penske could be in line for his record 15th pole at the Indianapolis 500. On the final practice day before Pole Day, Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves recorded the fastest laps on the 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [read more...]

Today’s IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines

1. No clear favorites at Long Beach
2. Unser Jr. to be honored at Long Beach
3. Barrett honors charitable efforts
4. Doornbos wins A1GP sprint race
5. Viso Prepping on Two Wheels for Long Beach Grand Prix [read more...]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (Sunday, April 5, 2009) - Ryan Briscoe kicked off the 2009 IndyCar Series season with a victory in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The win was Briscoe’s third and Team Penske’s 30th in the IndyCar Series. The combo also won the non-points race in Australia after the 2008 season.

Briscoe led 46 of 100 laps and held off Ryan Hunter-Reay by 0.4619 of a second to claim the victory. Justin Wilson finished third after leading a race high 52 laps. [read more...]

JOLIET, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 - Ryan Briscoe returned to Chicagoland Speedway in style, winning the pole for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 in his first visit to the 1.5-mile oval since a spectacular crash at the circuit in 2005.

Briscoe recorded a four-lap qualifying effort of 1 minute, 41.4190 mph, 215.818 mph as the last driver to go out, stealing the pole out of the hands of IndyCar Series points leader Scott Dixon, who had set the mark at 1:41.5435, 215.553 mph 15 drivers earlier.

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SONOMA, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008 - Team Penske teammates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe will share the front row for the third consecutive IndyCar Series race on a road/street course.

Castroneves won his 26th career PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award during qualifying for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County at Infineon Raceway with a best lap of 1 minute, 16.9027 seconds, 107.809 mph on the 12-turn, 2.30 mile circuit. Briscoe was second just .0158 of a second behind.

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EDMONTON, Alberta, Friday, July 25, 2008 - For the second consecutive weekend, Team Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves will start on the front row.

Briscoe, who won from the second starting position one week ago at Mid-Ohio, won the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award presented by Canadian Tire and will start first in Saturday’s Rexall Edmonton Indy.

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