Catchfence

Penske Racing announced that driver Will Power will join the Team Penske IndyCar Series program in preparation for the 2009 racing season.

Power, 27, a native of Toowoomba, Australia, will drive the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda during preseason test sessions.

The balance of the year’s driving responsibilities for the No. 3 car, including the IndyCar Series season-opening race at St. Petersburg on April 5, will depend on the timing and outcome of Helio Castroneves’ pending court case.

“We remain hopeful that Helio’s situation will have a positive outcome and the team is fully behind him,” Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said. “While Helio prepares for his court case, we’re excited to welcome Will Power to the team. Will has already proven that he’s a terrific racer and we think he’s going to be a good fit with Team Penske.”

Power will work closely with fellow Aussie driver Ryan Briscoe, driver of the No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda. In 2008, Power won on the streets of Long Beach in Champ Car’s final race, and after joining the IndyCar Series he earned his first series pole in front of his home crowd at Surfers Paradise, Australia.

“It is a tremendous opportunity for me to join one of the best teams in all of racing,” Power said. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and assisting Team Penske in its preparation for 2009.”

Beginning his rise up the open-wheel ranks by emerging as one of Australia’s top young talents, Power also excelled in European competition. He produced strong performances in the British F3 and World Series by Renault championships before moving to the United States in 2005 to compete in the Champ Car World Series. He captured the series Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 and claimed three wins and six pole positions in two-plus seasons.

“We support Helio Castroneves and Penske Racing’s decision to allow Helio to focus on his upcoming court case,” said Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations division of the sanctioning Indy Racing League. “Helio has played a significant role in the continued growth of the IndyCar Series on and off the racetrack. He is a true star in every sense of the word. His two Indianapolis 500 titles and 14 career IndyCar Series wins, combined with his infectious personality and widespread popularity, have made him a real fan favorite and we appreciate all he has done to promote the league.

“Few of us will forget his late-season charge in 2008 on eventual series champion Scott Dixon as he fell just short of his first IndyCar Series championship in Chicago after a dramatic last to first run. We wish Helio and Team Penske the best during this process and hope to see Helio competing for the championship in the near future.”

Penske Racing, Press Release