As Indy 500 practice starts this weekend, the team has the two-time series champ and two-time race winner.
By Associated Press
Published May 8, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS - Spider-Man is back, with a new partner.
Helio Castroneves earned the nickname with his celebratory fence climbs after winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2001 and 2002. He finished second last year to Gil de Ferran.
But de Ferran has retired to the broadcast booth, and Castroneves' new Penske Racing teammate is two-time IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr.
"I feel this is my best chance I've ever had, and that's a lot to do with more experience and just knowing more about racing," said Hornish, never better than 14th in four Indy starts. "I can try to learn something from Helio, if he'll teach me."
Practice begins Sunday for the May 30 race. Pole qualifying is May 15, with additional time trials May 16 and May 23.
Castroneves earned the pole in 2003 but fell short of becoming the first driver to win Indy three years in a row. He will not alter his approach.
"There is first practice, and you have a month of it," the Brazilian said. "So learn every single change that you make on the car to make sure that it goes smooth, and expect the unexpected.
"A little bit of luck as well always helps."
The victories by Castroneves and de Ferran extended car owner Roger Penske's record win total to 13. No other owner has won more than five.
The only other former winner entered this year is Al Unser Jr., who in 1994 gave Penske his 10th victory. Unser, trying for his 17th start at Indy, moved this year from Kelley Racing to Patrick Racing.
"I'm thrilled to death to be driving for Pat," Unser said. "It's disappointing we were not at the first three races, but what a place to begin the season with."
Another familiar name is Michael Andretti, whose last race as a driver was at Indy a year ago. He's back for the first time as solely an owner.
Two other teams - Fernandez Racing and Team Rahal - joined Patrick in the move this year to the IRL from the former CART series.
The drivers will compete for a place on an even bigger trophy. The Borg-Warner Trophy, which carries the sterling silver bas-relief likeness of each Indy 500 winner, was enlarged to accommodate additional winners through 2034. The trophy is now 5 feet, 43/4 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, an increase of 4 inches and 15 pounds.
FORMULA ONE: Jenson Button posted the fastest time during afternoon practice for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix in Montmelo, near Barcelona. Button ran a lap of 1 minute, 15.935 seconds in his BAR-Honda on the 2.876-mile Circuit de Catalunya track. Michael Schumacher, going for his fifth straight win, was fastest (1:15.658) in the morning session in his Ferrari. Qualifying is today.
