CART Commitment

"We won't make any commitment until we have a chance to run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and see where we are. As far as the CART schedule for next year, you'll have to ask (CART CEO) Mr. Andrew Craig about that."

So quotes TSN.com after interviewing Roger Penske about a return to the fabled Brickyard in 2001 following Penske's announcment of an Indy test session - in IRL equipment.

Do you reckon Penske has any influence with Craig? Do you reckon Penske can almost taste the cold milk in Victory Lane? No owner has won more at Indy, and no owner among CART regulars left Indy more ignominiously. Penske came to Indy in 1995 with champion drivers Al Unser, Jr. and Emerson Fittipaldi - and some woefully inadequate equipment - and found his powerful team shut out of the 33 car field.

It doesn't take much imagination to visualize a massive effort if - no, when -- Team Penske comes back to the Brickyard in 2001. Penske's already saying kind things about the Olds Aurora engine and the G-Force chassis. He's rented a couple of cars from Treadway Racing, leased the track for a day, and will put his drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves through some testing later this summer.

Meantime, Roger can savor his 100th Champ Car victory - which he garnered at his home track of Nazareth, no less - for a few more days as his Team Penske prepares for next week's Gran Prix of Detroit.

You gotta believe the tight little street course on Belle Isle is nobody's favorite. Passing is difficult and venturing out of the groove can leave you in a tire barrier or minus a wheel or wing.

If you're betting a steak dinner with your brother-in-law, you'd be wise to watch qualifying before you pick your man. Look for someone fast - and experienced - at the front of the pack and cross your fingers that he can keep his ride together long enough to reach the checkers.

Penske also may be anticipating his chances for a championship next year as the quick Colombian wonder boy, Juan Pablo Montoya, is rumored to be headed for Frank Williams' F-1 Team.

Speculation? Maybe. Probably.

Oh my, how I love rumors.

One of the best can be found on Jayski's Silly Season page, a site once devoted weeding through the chaff from the NASCAR rumor mill but now considered the hot place to find out what's really going on with the full-fendered boys.

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