Penske: Team ‘committed’ to four IndyCar drivers

Penske committed to 4-car juggernaut

In case there was doubt, Roger Penske affirmed Saturday his desire to continue employing four IndyCar Series drivers.

This season is Penske's first fielding four full-time entries: Helio Castroneves, reigning IndyCar champion Will Power, Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya and newcomer Simon Pagenaud.

"When you've got those four guys – four aces – why would you give them up?" Penske said to The Indianapolis Star on Saturday at Auto Club Speedway. "We're committed (to them)."

Team Penske isn't having the dominant season many expected, but Montoya and Power are one-two in series points after 10 of 16 races, and Castroneves is fourth. Montoya has won a series-leading two races, Power one.

Pagenaud has been slow to earn the results expected of him – he won two races in each of the past two years with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports – but Penske isn't concerned. In fact, Penske sounded like a proud father discussing the Frenchman.

"He's really helped us out; been great for us," Penske said. "He brings a lot. We couldn't be happier with him. The results will come."

Pagenaud won his first pole for Team Penske on Friday. He entered today's MAVTV 500 10th in the standings with his best finish a third in Detroit.

Team Penske does not discuss details of contracts, so it's unclear how long each will remain with the organization.

The team based in Mooresville, N.C., is the only IndyCar team fielding the same four drivers all season. Curt Cavin/Indy Star