Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Penske shifts gears to IRL

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 8:49 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand's motor sports notebook appears Friday. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

In the war for open-wheel racing supremacy in the United States, the Indy Racing League won a huge battle Thursday when CART owner Roger Penske announced he would compete exclusively in the IRL next season with drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves.

Penske's jump to the rival series was not unexpected, but it had been rumored in recent weeks that he might keep de Ferran -- the two-time defending CART champion -- in CART and run Castroneves in the IRL.

The move was fueled by Philip Morris' Marlboro brand, a Penske Racing sponsor since 1990, which lost out on millions of dollars worth of exposure when Castroneves won this year's IRL-sanctioned Indianapolis 500. Due to the Master Settlement Agreement between the states' attorneys general and the tobacco companies, Penske was forced to remove the Marlboro decals from his cars at Indy because a tobacco company is allowed sponsorship in only one series.

"We plan to compete in all Indy Racing League series races in 2002, in addition to the Indy 500," Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said Thursday.

"It was a decision made with our principal sponsor based on our collective business interests and objectives for 2002."

Ina Broeman of Philip Morris USA said the IRL was a better fit for the company because it races exclusively in the United States whereas nearly half of CART's races next year will be held outside the U.S.

"We have enjoyed Marlboro Team Penske's tremendous successes in the CART series over the years and we have developed special relationships with the CART community," Broeman said.

"However, since Philip Morris USA only markets its products within the United States and its territories and our intent is to communicate with adult smokers who attend races in the United States, we believe that the IRL is more closely aligned with our business interests and objectives for 2002."

Penske, one of the founding members of CART, operates the most successful Indy Car team in history with 110 race wins, including 11 Indy 500 victories, and 11 national championships (nine in CART and two in USAC).

"The addition of Roger Penske, his team and his Marlboro sponsor to the Indy Racing League is a great plus to what is already the most exciting, most competitive racing series on the planet," IRL founder Tony George said. "What better affirmation could there be than to have the most successful team in American motor sports choose the Indy Racing League as its competitive platform?

"This is a strong indicator that our vision and plan is the right one for the future of American open-wheel racing and exemplifies the League's stability and growth. The addition of Marlboro Team Penske to our core of strong Indy Racing teams will make 2002 the most competitive year yet."

The departure of Penske's two-car team could leave CART with fewer than 20 cars when it opens its 2002 season March 10 in Monterrey, Mexico.

"We are disappointed to learn of Marlboro Team Penske's decision to leave the FedEx Championship Series," CART said in a statement. "Both Roger Penske and Marlboro have been long-time supporters of CART and they will be missed. We wish them and their two talented drivers, Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves, well."

LVMS general manager Chris Powell would not confirm that the Truck Series would return to his track next season but said, "We have not signed an agreement ... but the likelihood is very high that we'll have one."

This year's race, won by Ted Musgrave, drew a crowd estimated at 15,000. But that figure -- which was in line with what most stand-alone truck races drew this season -- wasn't disappointing to Powell.

"I was not upset with our truck racing weekend," Powell said. "We'll always work hard to improve our events."

In addition to Las Vegas returning to the Truck Series schedule, the Sun has learned that California Speedway will host two truck races in 2002. The Truck Series will run in conjunction with both the IRL and CART race weekends at the 2-mile oval in Fontana.

Leffler drove the No. 01 Dodge in the Winston Cup Series this season for team owner Chip Ganassi. Leffler had one top-10 finish and one pole and finished 37th in points.

Brendan Gaughan of Las Vegas had been offered the ride with Ultra Motorsports but turned it down to run a Dodge truck fielded by his own Orleans Racing team, which is based in Las Vegas and sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts.

Bud Pole qualifying for the Winston Cup race will start at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Winston Cup "Happy Hour" will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, prior to the start of the Sam's Town 300 Busch Series race, which will take the green flag at 1 p.m.

Wilburn, assumes the position vacated by Robin Pemberton, who cited his desire to cut back on travel as the reason for leaving his position. Pemberton had been Wallace's crew chief for the past seven years.

Class champions, including Rob MacCachren, Troy Herbst and Danny Anderson of Las Vegas, will be honored in the 23 SCORE competition classes for cars, trucks, motorcycle and ATVs.