Penske Team Looks Tough at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS —  The Roger Penske lineup for this year’s Indianapolis 500 shows more than promise--it may be the team to beat.

Penske has brought three former 500 winners together. Last year’s champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, joins three-time Indy champ Rick Mears and 1985 winner Danny Sullivan in the Penske lineup for the May 27 race.

“I’m excited about our prospects. Obviously we’ve got a strong team,” said Penske, who has a record seven Indy victories as a car owner.

Fittipaldi is ready to cash in on that success.

“I’m very excited about running with Roger. He’s the most professional team in this business,” said Fittipaldi, who ranks No. 2 behind Al Unser Jr. in the CART-PPG standings.

“I’ve got a deep appreciation for good equipment and teamwork after last year, and Roger is making it possible for me to be very competitive again.”

Early indications are that the 1990 Penske chassis powered by a Chevrolet V-8 engine is destined to break the Indianapolis Motor Speedway records of 224.254 m.p.h. for one lap and 223.885 m.p.h. over four laps.

Mears tested the car at 221 m.p.h. at the track last March in cold, windy conditions.

“Last year’s car might have had a broader ban to work with, but at the speedway, this one will be a good race car,” Mears said.

Fittipaldi also likes the 1990 Penske. “It shows the potential of being as good, if not better, than the PC-18,” he said.

The strongest threat to unseat the Penske team is Unser, the son of four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser.

“Penske has an awesome team, but they can be beat,” said Unser.

Unser finished second to Fittipaldi in 1989, when the two drivers collided in the third turn of the next-to-last lap. Unser hit the wall. Fittipaldi reached Victory Lane.

“Before last year, I never knew if I could win Indy, and now I know I can,” said Unser.