If Surfers stays non-points race Penske won’t be back

Team Penske is bringing a Dallara-Honda to Australia for Helio Castroneves, who has been cleared to race there while federal tax evasion charges are pending.

The team probably would have taken only a car for Ryan Briscoe if Castroneves weren't granted permission, but Penske President Tim Cindric says the team won't take any cars in 2009 if Australia remains an exhibition event.

"We don't have any interest in non-points races," Cindric said. "You're putting a lot of people at risk, and we're spending money to race essentially for just pride."

Cindric said the team understood the Indy Racing League's dilemma in making Australia a non-points race in its absorption of Champ Car. Because unification happened just before the season, the schedule didn't afford room for Australia.

Australia isn't on the '09 schedule, but Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL's commercial division, said two slots are open, and a date could be set this weekend. USA Today