Heading to Honda's Motegi circuit
source:
irl.racing-live.com
For many drivers and teams Saturday's race at Twin
Ring Motegi in Japan could serve as a springboard for greater things in the
remainder of 2005. The Toyota contingent will be hoping to see if a league
allowed engine upgrade will propel them further up the standings, while Scott
Dixon gets the chance to see if it has been the chassis or the engine
restricting his performance of late.
"Now that the team is better able to monitor driver style and performance, it
makes sense at this juncture to have direct comprehension and comparison of the
two chassis," said Mike Hull, Team Manager at Chip Ganassi Racing. "This team
was built on racing excellence, and this is another step to ensuring Chip
Ganassi Racing is doing everything in its power to maximize preparations and
stay competitive."
Not having engine woes, but still suffering from poor performances, the Panther
Racing/Chevrolet camp desperately needs to make something positive happen at
Motegi, as neither Tomas Scheckter nor Tomas Enge has finished a race in 2005.
Said Scheckter, "I'm ready to get back in my Pennzoil racecar and put together a
solid finish for the Panther guys. Chevrolet has given us amazing engines every
weekend that we've raced, and for different reasons we haven't been there at the
finish. We're going to change that this weekend."
Just as in 2004, Penske Racing remains the exception to Honda domination. Sam
Hornish, Jr., and Helio Castroneves are the only non-Honda drivers to win since
the end of the 2003 season.