Briscoe could drive for RuSPORT in 2007
"Every day since August 3rd our hearts have been with Cristiano da Matta and his family," said Dale. "I'm just so pleased that he is making the phenomenal recovery he is.
"We have been very clear with Ryan, and he understands where we're at. As we look at the remainder of '06, we potentially look into '07, we do that with one eye on Cristiano and his recovery, and one eye on these two races and the potential to take this relationship forward.
"This is one step at a time. That's the way we laid it out. We said, Listen, let's identify the candidates. Let's go down to Sebring. Let's take the first step. That's a test, okay. Let's identify a driver. Let's go and do the last two races. That's the next step. Along the way we keep an eye on Cristiano, how he's doing.
"It is a difficult thing to do, but it's not the first time in this sport, and it won't be the last time in this sport. That may sound a bit harsh. It's not meant to. It's the reality of this business and this sport.
"Ryan recognizes that and Cristiano recognizes that. That's just the reality of where we're at.
Briscoe concurred and hinted that he would very much like to turn the 2-race deal into a full-time ride, but recognizes that he and the team will cross that bridge during the off-season after da Matta's medical status can be ascertained.
"For my future down the road, you know, it's time to start looking at various options," said Briscoe. "But for the time being with RuSPORT, we're just going to take it for these two races, Surfers Paradise and Mexico. It's definitely a chance for us to get to know each other. For the time being, we're just focusing a hundred percent on trying to do a good job here. Then for whatever plans down the road, we'll talk about that. For the time being, you know, it's definitely just we'll do what we can right now and then we'll see."