Briscoe returns to Richmond June 28 for the SunTrust Indy Challenge.

How did Richmond International Raceway play into the first career IndyCar Series victory for Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe?  The Australian can look back to a recent Firestone tire test at Richmond International Raceway (¾-mile) for at least part of his success at The Milwaukee Mile (1 mile), the site of this Briscoe's first win, June 1.  Firestone conducted a test at America’s Premier Short Track on March 19, with 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon and Briscoe piloting their cars around the shortest track the IndyCar Series visits.

“I think that any short track experience a driver can get is applicable from one venue to another,” said Briscoe, who has one career start at Richmond International Raceway.  “Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to test for Firestone at Richmond International Raceway and I think it was very useful for me as I try and get more and more oval experience.  Not only did running at Richmond give me a sense of what the race will be like there later this month, but it also helped provide a bit of a baseline for all the short tracks on the IndyCar Series circuit.  This past Sunday’s race is a prime example, as I earned my first career IndyCar Series victory at The Milwaukee Mile.  Now I can certainly say that I’m looking forward to competing on more short ovals this season, including Richmond in a few weeks.”

Briscoe will return to Richmond International Raceway June 27-28 for the SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series weekend, featuring three races in two nights.  Briscoe will be joined by Dixon, Danica Patrick, Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Graham Rahal, and the rest of the IndyCar Series stars.

The 2008 IndyCar Series event at Richmond International Raceway is the first since the historic unification earlier this year of the IndyCar Series and the Champ Car Series—the two premier open-wheel sanctioning bodies in North America.  The unification means even more drivers, cars and excitement in America’s top open-wheel series, all competing on the same track at the same time.

Tickets are on sale now for the SunTrust Indy Challenge weekend at Richmond International Raceway.  The SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series race is scheduled to run “under the lights” on Saturday, June 28, when the drivers will hit speeds of 180 mph.  Saturday’s ticket also includes a seat for the James River Grounds 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race.  Tickets for Saturday are $35 (reserved) and $30 (general admission).  The weekend begins Friday, June 27, with NBC12 Day, featuring practice and pole qualifying for the SunTrust Indy Challenge, USAC Silver Crown Series and USAC National Sprint Car Series, followed by the USAC National Sprint Car Series race.  Friday’s ticket also includes an autograph session with all of the IndyCar Series drivers.  Friday’s tickets are $15.  Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission sections both nights.  Tickets are available by calling 866-455-7223 or clicking here.