Faces In New Places: A Recap of Off-Season Moves

The fall and winter months saw a flurry of changes in the IndyCar Series paddock. From drivers switching teams, to engineering and race strategist changes, it was a busy offseason. Here’s a look at the major moves that have set the stage for the start of the 2009 season:

Power to Penske

Australian standout Will Power had an impressive rookie year in 2008, driving for KV Racing Technology. Power earned two top-five IndyCar Series finishes and won the Champ Car finale at Long Beach in April. Power finished third in the Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year standings, just 15 points behind the leader, Hideki Mutoh.
In January, Penske Racing announced that Power will join the Team Penske IndyCar Series program in preparation for the 2009 racing season. Power, 27, drove the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda during preseason test sessions.
The balance of the year's driving responsibilities for the No. 3 car, including the IndyCar Series season-opening race at St. Petersburg on April 5, will depend on the timing and outcome of Helio Castroneves' pending court case.
"It is a tremendous opportunity for me to join one of the best teams in all of racing," Power said. "I'm looking forward to the start of the season and assisting Team Penske in its preparation for 2009."

Franchitti Returns

After a one-year absence to give stock cars a try, Dario Franchitti is back in an open- wheel cockpit, joining Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s IndyCar Series program for 2009. The move pairs the last two Indianapolis 500 winners and IndyCar Series champions – Franchitti and Scott Dixon – on the same team, making it one of the most anticipated teammate pairings for the 2009 campaign.
“I'm very excited to be coming back to the IndyCar Series,” Franchitti said. “I think the unified series is excellent news. I think the schedule for next year was a big part of my decision, plus the chance to drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, which is a great team. I have competed against the team for I guess 10 or 11 years in open-wheel. I know how difficult they are to beat.
I'm really looking forward to being a part of the team going forward and having Scott as a teammate.”
Franchitti’s IndyCar Series career includes 67 starts, eight wins, six poles and 30 top-five finishes. His biggest season came in 2007 when he captured both the Indianapolis 500 and the season point championship driving for Andretti Green Racing.

Wheldon Returns to Panther

When Dan Wheldon left Panther Racing after the 2002 season he was told that he would always be a part of the Panther family and would always be welcomed back to the team should the opportunity present itself. That opportunity arrived as the 2008 season neared its conclusion, putting Wheldon back in the seat of Panther Racing’s No. 4 machine.
“I'm incredibly excited to be joining Panther Racing for next season. (I) can't wait to get started,” Wheldon said of his new team. “It's an organization I'm very familiar with. The team seems to have a good energy right now. It seems to be heading in a very positive direction. It's great to be working with John Barnes again. He's a guy that's near and dear to my heart and one that's very honest. He just tells you how it is and gives you the best possible equipment to win races, and that's all I want to do. So I'm really excited and raring to go.”

Since he last drove for Panther, Wheldon has driven for Andretti Green Racing, where he won the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series championship, and most recently Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Wheldon has built an impressive record of success over the course of his IndyCar Series career, earning 15 wins, five poles, and 54 top-five finishes.

Meira to Foyt

Vitor Meira’s move to A.J. Foyt Racing during the offseason matches one of the most experienced active drivers in the IndyCar Series with perhaps the most legendary team owner in open-wheel racing history.

"I am definitely going into 2009 with a little extra motivation," said Meira, who competed for Panther Racing the past three seasons. "I have raced against the team for many years and have heard cool things about them. Many people would give an arm and a leg just to meet A.J. (Foyt) and I am getting to work with him."

In 17 starts in 2008, Meira recorded seven top-10 finishes with a best finish of second in the 92nd Indianapolis 500. Overall, Meira has 56 top-10s and 27 top-fives in 93 starts with three teams and is looking for that first victory. The move replaces Darren Manning at A.J. Foyt Racing, who had seven top-10s with a high of second at Watkins Glen in 2008.