Handling and fuel issues...

When the checkered flag waved on Saturday's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi, the result wasn't the finish Team Penske sought, but both drivers still placed among the top seven.

The finish scored valuable points for both teams, keeping Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves in the hunt for the IndyCar Series championship. It also kept them headed in the right direction as Team Penske eyes the 91st Indianapolis 500, for which preparations begin in two weeks.

Hornish finished fifth after leading briefly late in the 200-lap race, as all of the leaders were forced to the pits for fuel. Penske teammate Helio Castroneves, who started the race from the pole position, finished seventh after leading the race's first 43 laps.

“When we started the race, the car was fantastic, but after the first pit stop the car changed quite a bit,” Castroneves said. “Our car was pushing so much that I ended up brushing the wall exiting turn 4. Seventh place today was not what we wanted, but given the condition of the car, it was the best we could do.”

Hornish and his crew struggled to restart the No. 6 Team Penske Honda/Dallara after it ran out of fuel and stalled during the final pit stop.

“We made our way back up and were poised to get a top-three finish, if not be able to win it,” Hornish said. “It was unfortunate we ran out of fuel and we had to restart the car, which cost us at least two positions.”

Still, both Penske drivers are right behind points leader Dan Wheldon, who finished second behind Tony Kanaan in Saturday's race. Castroneves is fourth in the standings, 17 points behind the leader, while Hornish is fifth, 27 points off the pace.

“We're only a couple of points behind where we were when we left here last year,” Hornish said. “If we keep it up and do the same thing we did last year, we'll be in good shape.”

E.A.
Source Team Penske