Fantasy racing with Team Penske

Posted by Iannucci | 10/13/2008 | 9 comments »
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At the risk of inciting some possibly inaccurate rumor mongering, I’m just gonna throw two things out there for discussion.

(Roger) Penske is uncertain how to proceed for 2009 as it is unclear when (Helio) Castroneves' legal situation will be resolved. Penske plans to wait until after the Australia race to formulate a plan, and he scoffed at the suggestion that replacement drivers have been considered.

"It's way too early for that," he said. "We don't even know when this thing might go to trial. It might not even be next year."

(MORE from IndyStar)
OK. Now consider this news from the world of Formula One.

According to motorsports portal Grande Premio, (Rubens) Barrichello is now set to test an Indy car in November, possibly at the Homestead road course.

Arranged by IndyCar engine supplier Honda, the test would put Barrichello in a Team Penske car– Roger Penske’s outfit has yet to announce its 2009 lineup, and given the uncertainty regarding Helio Castroneves’ future in the wake of the two-time Indy 500 winner’s tax indictment, it’s likely to be among the last to confirm its drivers for next year.

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Before you have visions of Nigel Mansell dancing in your heads, I would advise you to keep your skepticism set to “High. Remember, it was just this last April where we heard Marco was going to F1 and Rubens was going to take his spot at AGR, and that didn't exactly happening. This doesn't mean Rubens won't be driving the #3 come 2009, but it by no means means he will be either.

Of course, if we were talking about Sebastien Bourdais going to Penske, well that would be an entirely different story, right? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

9 comments

  1. Anonymous // October 14, 2008 6:56 AM  

    Jeff,

    Seeing as SeaBass put in with Dietrich Mateschitz and the fun-loving group from Red Bull Racing (Motto: Produce or be consumed), I could see him being sent unwillingly to the ARCA or N-word tin-tops to race alongside Scott "I'm not wierd, I'm eclectic" Speed.

    Hmm, wonder what "Milk and Cereal" translates to en Francais?

  2. Chuck // October 14, 2008 2:41 PM  

    What would Barrichello have to prove in IRL, I guess is the question I want to ask. Sure, he may get a real kick out of taking our open wheelers in a circle a few times, but really, do you think somehow winning at Indianpolis is what he feels is missing from his resume?

    And mmack, it's "lait et céréale" in case you really wanted to know.

  3. pressdog // October 14, 2008 4:26 PM  

    Pretty sure old Rubens would be just looking for a semi-retirement job over here in the IRL. He's broken the record for most F1 starts this year. He's in a SUPER PIG Honda in F1 this year. Makes a bit of sense -- Honda gives him a ride over here to say thanks for everything.

  4. pressdog // October 14, 2008 4:27 PM  

    I also think Jeff has F1 FEVER!!!!

  5. Mike Rice // October 15, 2008 12:19 AM  

    Well, the rather condescending question "do you think somehow winning at Indianpolis is what he feels is missing from his resume?" begs the question...prior to its fall from such a prominent status since 1996, what driver wouldn't want his likeness on the Borg-Warner trophy? Now that Indy has the credibility it enjoyed once again, Rubens would likely be quite motivated to put himself squarely in the mix of drivers vying for the win there. After two sub-par seasons in a grossly uncompetitive Honda in F1, I'd imagine an equal shot at the biggest race in the world would sound pretty good.

  6. Migue // October 15, 2008 1:24 AM  

    Barrichello indeed has a dream to race the 500. That's why he swapped helmets in Monaco in 2006 with buttbuddy TK, cause Rubinho indeed felt like the 500 was missing on his resumee and TK felt the same about Monaco.
    So I wouldn't discard this rumour so easily.

  7. Anonymous // October 15, 2008 6:41 AM  

    Maybe Rubens would like the chance to win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on his own merits, rather than pass his teammate at the line under "questionable" circumstances.

    Just sayin' :^)

  8. Ansen Bayer // October 15, 2008 10:25 AM  

    Cavin says no...

    http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2008/10/oct_14_on_rubens_and_more_rube.html

  9. Chuck // October 15, 2008 5:03 PM  

    "Well, the rather condescending question "do you think somehow winning at Indianpolis is what he feels is missing from his resume?" begs the question..."

    Sorry if that came off as ME being condescending, but let's be honest: that is, generally, the reaction of F1 peeps today about the Indianapolis 500.

    As a native Hoosier, as I'm sure many of you are, I don't really get the vibe that the 500 has actually re-attained its once-lofty status. It's definitely on its way, sure, but it's going to take more than a few years to get things wound back up again. Here's hoping for the best.

    And migue, thanks for the insight. I didn't realize there may actually be a legitimate desire on Rubens' part to actually give the series a go. As I always do with former F1 drivers, I'd welcome them with open arms due to the inherent raising of the level of competition and talent in the driver pool. Let's face it, drivers from F1 bring with them an international street cred like drivers from no other feeder series in the world ;)