Homestead-Miami - Team Penske - New season - the same challenge source: irl-live.com This weekend Team Penske kicks off the 2007 IndyCar Series season under the lights at Homestead-Miami Speedway as they get set to defend their IndyCar Series Title. In 2006, Sam Hornish Jr. brought Penske Racing its first-ever Series Championship and record 12th National Title. Hornish Jr. returns to the team in 2007, with Team Penske veteran Helio Castroneves, not only as the defending IndyCar Series Champion, but also as the defending Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner. Last season, Hornish Jr. found Victory Lane four times and earned four poles on the way to his record third IndyCar Series title in just seven years of competition. Not only did he win the Championship last year, but he also accomplished his life-long dream of winning the Indianapolis 500 after an unbelievable last lap pass of Marco Andretti. Beginning on Saturday night, Hornish Jr. will be looking to top an unforgettable 2006 season as well as win back-to-back titles for the second time in his career. "I'm definitely looking forward to starting the IndyCar season," said Hornish Jr. "Obviously, our 2006 results will be hard to top after winning the Indianapolis 500 and the Championship, but I know the team has been working hard in the off season to maintain our competitiveness." "One goal I have for myself this year is to win a road/street course race, and I think that I've improved enough during the past two seasons that I should have a good shot of making this happen. Spring testing went really well for us at Daytona and Homestead, so I'm hopeful that we'll be able to return for another run at the Championship." Team-mate Castroneves will also be looking for his first-ever Series title in 2007, as he finished third in the Championship last year. The 31 year-old Brazilian found victory lane four times in 2006 and captured the pole position a Series-high five times. "I start off every season with one goal - to win the Championship - and 2007 will be no different," explains Castroneves. "We had a strong campaign in 2006, but I think that the competition will be much tougher this year.'' ''I think a lot of teams got a wake-up call last season and they've worked hard over the past few months to make sure they are where they need to be. I think it will be an exciting year and I think Team Penske has what it takes to get the job done."
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