Richmond: Penske race report

Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves drove a stellar race on Saturday night. While everyone around him was finding the wall or other competitors, Castroneves was finding speed, carving his way through the field from and 18th starting position to finish in the runner-up spot (his fourth of the season) just ahead of Scott Dixon, who happens to be the only driver ahead of him in the 2008 IndyCar Series championship standings.

“I was driving the wheels off it,” Castroneves said about his run in the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda. “I was trying everything I could to make up spots and we were able to have a good showing today.”

Teammate Ryan Briscoe, had a more challenging evening despite a promising start to Saturday’s race. Briscoe became part of the four-car pileup during a botched restart on lap 79. The Team Penske crew worked diligently to get the No. 6 car back on the track and with the help of the high attrition, Briscoe was able to finish 15th despite only running 158 laps.

“It was pretty crazy out there tonight,” said Briscoe. “We were able to hold our position through the first stint, but the restart after our first stop was a complete mess. I heard green, and then I glanced in my mirrors. The next thing I know is that the guys in front of me were on their brakes, and I was into the back of the No. 14 car. It was just a chain reaction from there, and I got hit from behind. I’ve got to hand it to my guys for working so hard and getting us back out there tonight, I’m just sorry we couldn’t do more."

The team now regroups and heads to Watkins Glen, NY for the Camping World Grand Prix on July 6th.

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