Honda Car Forum

Circuit: The Streets Long Beach (1.97-mile temporary street circuit) Long Beach, CA

2008 Winner: Will Power (KV Racing Technology) 92.964 mph average (Champ Car event)

Weather: Mostly sunny, mild, 78 degrees F

Combined Practice Results:

Power Looks to Repeat at Long Beach

Team Penske's Will Power, winner of the 2008 Long Beach Champ Car "finale", got off to a strong start Friday in his attempt to win Sunday's inaugural IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Long Beach, setting fastest time in today's opening practice sessions.

But Power set that time in the #3 Team Penske entry, which will be taken over on Saturday by series veteran Helio Castroneves, who will return to driving duties following his acquittal today on six income tax evasion charges in a Miami Federal Court. Power will move to a new #12 entry, also fielded by the Penske organization.

Activities continue here Saturday with final practice and "Firestone Fast Six" qualifying. Sunday's 85-lap race starts at 4:30 p.m. EDT, with live television coverage on the Versus Network starting with a pre-race show at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Will Power (#3 Team Penske Honda) quickest in practice today: "I feel good. We got the car to a very nice, consistent balance. Tomorrow I'll be in a different car, but the guys are really good here and will transfer everything over from this car to my new car, the No. 12 Verizon Wireless car. They're ready for Helio (Castroneves) to drive and are in very good shape. I look forward to a good weekend, and I'm happy the way everything has turned out for Helio. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through that considering what a good career he's had. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."