Castroneves tested the 2001 Reynard

In preparation for the three road/street course events during the 2005 season, Team Penske has recently been employing a number methods for its drivers to get reacquainted with the rigors of driving on these challenging circuits. While many other IndyCar Series drivers are keeping their skills sharp in other forms of racing during the off-season, Team Penske recently tested an old CART car at Sebring.

The Reynard/Toyota, prepared from Penske Racing's inventory, provided Castroneves his first experience behind the wheel of an Indy car on a road or street course since Australia in 2001 when he competed in the CART Series. Although Castroneves has tested Formula One cars since then, the Reynard/Toyota was more similar to the IndyCar Series machines the Team will be running in 2005. This test also marked the first time Hornish Jr. has had the opportunity to run a car with a power-to-weight ratio similar to that in which he'll be competing next season. The last time Hornish Jr. raced on a road or street course was in Houston in 1999 when he competed in the Toyota Atlantic Series.

Castroneves and Hornish Jr. are also in the process of working with their personal trainers to create a new workout regimen in order to prepare themselves physically for the upcoming road/street course events. To supplement their sessions in the gym, the pair has also been driving go-karts to maintain their conditioning.

“It's important that our drivers stay physically fit,” said Tim Cindric, President Penske Racing Inc. “Our primary objective is to get Helio and Sam mentally and physically prepared for this type of racing. Many of our competitors have had the opportunity to stay sharp on road and street courses as they have been competing in other series. We feel these three events will be critical to the 2005 IndyCar Series Championship.”

Meanwhile, double Champion Sam Hornish Jr. finally had time to give his new bride, Crystal, the honeymoon she's been waiting for since the couple tied the knot on June 5th of this year. With the time constraints of the 16-race schedule and off-season testing, the two made sure that they had time to sneak away this weekend as they departed for Cabo San Lucas. The couple has been looking forward to their honeymoon to get some much-needed “R&R” before the holidays and the 2005 IndyCar Series season begins.

E.A.
Source, Penske