Power To Race Penske's Verizon Wireless Car In '10 IndyCar Series

Will Power Will Compete Full-Time For Penske Racing In '10 IndyCar Series

Penske Racing Thursday announced IRL driver Will Power next season will compete full-time for the team in the Izod IndyCar Series, driving the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Honda. The '10 Verizon Championship Racing platform will include Power, Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and NASCAR drivers Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier (Penske Racing). Penske Racing said that the deal is a "key element of a multi-year deal with Verizon Wireless that began this year." Power's deal is "only for the 2010 season, and additional years haven't been discussed" (AP, 11/19). Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Curt Cavin reports longtime Penske sponsor Phillip Morris is "reducing its involvement with the team through its Marlboro brand, and that could affect how the cars" of Castroneves and Briscoe look beginning next season. Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said that the "traditional Marlboro colors could be gone." Cindric: "We have looked at changing this over the last few years, especially now that the international races require (the two cars) to look different" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/20).

BLURRED VISION: The INDY STAR's Cavin reports Vision Racing co-Owner Tony George "confirmed layoffs at Vision Racing, which does not have a major sponsor, but said he still plans to field a car in 2010" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/20).