The determination lead to Scheckter Takings to his first victory of the IndyCar series, from its last one, and unique triumph of the series in Michigan 2002.
A powerful and reliable Chevrolet motor, and the ability of the South African pilot, was an excellent combination for the return of Pennzoil Panther Racing to the first planes in a typical and frenetic race in the impressive oval of Motor Texas Speedway.
Scheckter, leading its no. 4 Pennzoil Panther Racing Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone, just by crossed second goal 0,0534 on twice the champion of the series, Sam final Hornish East Jr was more tenth closed from the file of the series.
Scheckter, that started like favorite from pole, demonstrated that it would not accept another result that to win. The South African was aggressive to recover positions and no other motor could fold the end speed of its Chevy. For Takings it is time were no excuses.
Without doubts Takings it needed this result. 27 abandonments in its race, 10º put like better east result year, and 4 abandonments by accident this season, began to alter the confidence of its equipment. It is that when Takings did not leave by mechanical problems, it finished outside by own errors.
“A point Arrives where one begins to doubt itself”, Scheckter in the circle of the victory of Texas said. “The equipment has secured east result. They returned from Indy, worked very very it last in the car. It is an incredible victory for us.”
“This triumph is also a great result for Chevy. This victory has raised the moral to us all and we began to think that it is possible to more often repeat it.”
The last victory of Chevrolet had been in California 2003, with Sam Hornish still leading for Pennzoil Panther Racing. From there the Japanese motors, especially Honda, dominated the scene until today.
“Chevrolet has done a great work for us”, explained the coowner of Panther Doug Bowls. “They demonstrated that they have not thrown the towel and continue working very it last to win to Honda and Toyota.”
Scheckter led 119 of 200 returns, along with other seven pilots who distributed the leadership in 18 occasions. Luckyly there were accidents of no consideration in the dangerous Texan oval. Only Jimmy Kite and Ed Carpenter struck the wall without physical consequences. The other pilot who retired of the test, but by mechanical problems was Buddy Rice, in turn 25.
The champion Tony Kanaan (Andretti Green Racing), who took 13º, culminated 3º, followed of Scott Sharp (Delphi Fernandez Racing), that made a great scaling in the last part of the test. Castroneves helium (Marlboro Team Penske) crossed the goal 4º after carrying out a vibrant duel with its Kanaan compatriot, to the point to be close in two occasions.
After puntear in each of its last two races and being near the triumph in Indianapolis, Danica Patrick did not have opportunities Saturday. The novice divided from the second row and arrival 13º in the same return of the leader. The inexperience of Patrick is time felt in Texas.
“I remembered Homestead, in March”, said, with reference to its debut in the IRL, when it ran well but it was delayed before hitting. “I was delayed in the beginning… I only need practice.”
The winner of Indianapolis 500, Gives Wheldon, finished in sixth place and continues dominating the championship. Now he surpasses his coequiper Kanaan by 65 points and Hornish by 76.

To see result of the race