Penske and Will Power plans for 2010

[garyshell]

In the same story about Sarah's announcments this morning Curt had this pair of tidbits:

Fernandez Racing, which at its zenith employed 52 people for two IndyCar and onehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2.gif (http://www.indystar.com/article/20091009/SPORTS0107/910090348/1004/SPORTS/Another+car/driver++more+races+for+Fisher+s+team+in+2010#) American Le Mans Series program, will participate in its final race this weekend as the ALMS concludes its season in Monterey, Calif.
The team will release the last of its 19 employees Oct. 31 because of a lack of sponsorship. The shop, owned by team co-owner Tom Anderson and his wife, Cheryl, will be leased "with or without the equipment."

"We shook the trees pretty hard for eight months, but we haven't sold anything," Anderson said.

The season-ending Grand Am Series race in Homestead also could have a farewell as Penske Racing is expected to convert its sports (http://www.indystar.com/article/20091009/SPORTS0107/910090348/1004/SPORTS/Another+car/driver++more+races+for+Fisher+s+team+in+2010#) car program to an IndyCar operation for Will Power.

Gary

[champcarray]

Thanks for spotting that. Good news for Will Power, bad news for a thinning ALMS field...

[bblocker68]

Cavin said something to the effect that Penske will have 3 cars for next season. Looks like the GrandAm crew will head over to the IndyCar side. I'm sure Bernhard and Dumas will find rides in other sports cars, they're both very fast and experienced. hate to see it dissolve, but I love seeing my favorite driver get a full time ride with a class organization. The is the first time I ever rooted for the Captain :)

Question is: Will Verizon come over to IndyCar??

[TURN3]

Thanks for spotting that. Good news for Will Power, bad news for a thinning ALMS field...

Correct me if I'm wrong but, it is Penske's Grand Am operation as he left ALMS last year to run Grand Am this year. Sounds like ALMS is hurting for teams but Penske's conversion won't affect them.

[Chamoo]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, it is Penske's Grand Am operation as he left ALMS last year to run Grand Am this year. Sounds like ALMS is hurting for teams but Penske's conversion won't affect them.

The first post also refers to Adrian Fernandez' team closing shop in the ALMS.

[beachgirl]

RP's GrandAm crew is experienced in IndyCar too, since they were Will's pit crew this year. I am so happy Will will be running in 2010. I had faith in the Captain - Will is wayyyyy too good to let go!

[wedge]

Dag

Bad news for ALMS

[bravefish]

Thats great news to have another very competitive car on the street/road courses. Hopefully he can get his act together on the ovals now.

[Wade91]

great decision by Rodger,

i think Will has a great future in indycar

[anthonyvop]

Thanks for spotting that. Good news for Will Power, bad news for a thinning ALMS field...
Thinning?
You don't follow the ALMS do you? They just added The Drayson/Aston Martin and Jaguar teams.
The Formula LeMans Class will add at least 5 more cars.

[anthonyvop]

I'm sure Bernhard and Dumas will find rides in other sports cars, they're both very fast and experienced. hate to see it dissolve,
They are both Porsche factory drivers....they have rides.

[SarahFan]

did the panske/power full season actually get announced this weekend?

[garyshell]

did the panske/power full season actually get announced this weekend?


Not that I heard or saw reported anywhere. But then again I am not surprised. I would not expect such an announcement until closer to the opening of next season, for maximum PR effect.

Gary

[Mark in Oshawa]

Penske hasn't been in ALMS for a year, but him leaving Grand AM I don't think would have happened if not for the need to try to hang onto Power.

Good for Will, but I would love to see Penske stay in GARRA since they were only there one year. I bet he keeps a hand in it and maybe runs the Daytona 24 hour race as a stand alone for Busch, and the Indy car guys....

[Chamoo]

If Power ends up in the ICS for 2010 for the full season, I would expect him to be on top of the series points. He is a dominant racer and once he is in dominant equipment, he will be recognized as such.

Anyone who doubted his idea for 2009 of taking a drive he wasn't guarenteed must be thinking he is a genius now. Getting to know Roger Penske and getting in his good books is a very good idea.

[garyshell]

Anyone who doubted his idea of taking ANY sort of job from Roger, doesn't know much about the sport. If Roger calls and says he wants you to work for him sweeping the garage, you jump at the opportunity.

Gary

[champcarray]

Sorry for my post above about the ALMS field thinning. My bad. I'll remove my foot from my mouth in just a minute.