AUTO RACING

April 6, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

AUTO RACING

Sunday’s IRL race

Briscoe wins: Roger Penske has apparently found his new team leader. With the future of longtime Team Penske star Helio Castroneves in doubt as he stands trial on federal tax evasion charges, and replacement Will Power new to the team, Penske has placed some added responsibility on the slim shoulders of 27-year-old Ryan Briscoe. Briscoe, starting his second year with Penske, responded with a victory in the season-opening Honda Grand Prix, outdueling Ryan Hunter-Reay and Justin Wilson for his third career IndyCar Series victory. Briscoe passed Wilson for the lead on a restart 14 laps from the end of the crash-filled race in the streets of downtown St. Petersburg. He then stayed out front as Hunter-Reay, driving on the new softer alternate tires that provide more grip, also got past Wilson and tried to chase him down.

Challenger: There was one last restart on the slick 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit, but Briscoe was able to fend off a strong move by Hunter-Reay, who only got his ride with Vision Racing seven days earlier. Leadership aside, Briscoe was relieved to finish the 100-lap event after crashing out here in his two previous starts — the first with Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2005 and then last year with Penske. Hunter-Reay lost his ride with Rahal Letterman Racing at the end of last season when the team lost its sponsorship and was signed for 2009 at the last minute by the team owned by Indy Racing League founder Tony George. He made the most of his opportunity, giving George his best finish as a car owner.

Associated Press