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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26-27) - There is a long-standing motto associated with Penske Racing and that is "Effort Equals Results."  Perhaps there is no better example of that slogan being demonstrated than in the team effort that produced an impressive podium finish for Penske Racing drivers Kurt Busch, Helio Castroneves & Ryan Briscoe in this weekend's Rolex 24 Grand-Am race at Daytona International Speedway.

 Briscoe was behind the wheel of the Penske-Taylor Racing No. 9 Toshiba Pontiac Riley when it crossed the line third and came to rest on pit road in today's 46th edition of the famed road racing endurance classic.  The celebrating crew members, along with Busch and Castroneves swarmed around the podium-finishing ride.  Tim Cindric, President of Penske Performance, Inc., who manned the radio for this weekend's incredible effort, huddled his trio of drivers together by the car.

 "When we talked about doing this race several months ago, it was all about us as a team," Cindric was heard telling his group of driving stars.  "When we came down here a couple of weeks back to test, it was all about teamwork.  We really showed them what teamwork is all about.  I'm telling you that Roger and everyone associated with Penske Racing are so proud of you guys.  To be able to come in here like we did and get a podium finish is pretty impressive and is such a tremendous example of our team - all of our different racing units - working together as one."

 With Busch carrying the banner for Penske's NASCAR teams, Castroneves representing Penske's IndyCar efforts and Briscoe bringing his American Le Mans  credentials to the table, there lies overwhelming evidence that legendary race team owner Roger Penske made a brilliant move when he headquartered all of his racing teams under one roof in Mooresville, N.C.

 "We're so proud to represent Penske Racing," said Busch, grinning after an unbelievable performance behind the wheel under conditions he had never faced before.  "Helio and Ryan are tremendous teammates and we all thrive on the winning drive that Roger instills in all of us.

 "I was certainly aware of my experience level in this form of racing and we came in here with realistic expectations," said Busch.  "I even told the media that my goal for the race was to keep it on course and not have to be towed in on the wrecker. 

 "Ryan and Helio are superb road course racers and I think everyone would acknowledge that," Busch said.  "I have always said that I enjoy racing our road courses out at Sonoma and at Watkins Glen.  This weekend was indeed a challenge.  Working together with Wayne Taylor and his SunTrust Racing Team and having the support from Toshiba as our sponsor, it was a great and fun weekend for us all."

 "Kurt did a great job in the rain last night," Briscoe said in the post-race press conference.  "It was an amazing effort.  It threw everything at us with the weather and the traffic.  It is a special race and a special way to start the season off.  The guys from the No. 6 Indy car team crewed the car and I will be with them this season, so that is good for me to get to know them early.  I want to come back next year and have another crack at it."
 
 "It was incredible working with Kurt, Ryan and all the Penske crew on this project," Castroneves offered.  "I was so impressed with the total team effort put forth.  It certainly was a great way for all the Penske Racing teams to begin the 2008 season."

 The Rolex 24 race recap for the Penske-Taylor Racing No. 9 Toshiba Pontiac Riley Team follows:
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 Periodic rain showers hit Daytona Beach this morning (Saturday) and the forecast called for a continuing chance of precipitation throughout the afternoon and into the night.

 There was no rain when the race began at 1:30 p.m. here this afternoon, but there were wet patches of asphalt all around the course.  The No. 9 Toshiba Pontiac Riley Team started the race with slicks on the car, with a set of rain tires ready in the pits if needed.

 Grand-Am Series rules call for the driver qualifying the car to be in the cockpit for the start of the race, so Helio Castroneves was the team driver for the initial stint.

 The Penske-Taylor Racing trio of drivers Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Kurt Busch had been joking around with each other since qualifying day here on Thursday.  After Castroneves qualified 13th, the big question was how many cars could Castroneves get around on the first lap.

 The answer to that question was five, as the popular Brazilian driver crossed the start/finish line in eighth after one lap was completed.

 Castroneves was maintaining a steady pace when problems struck just only 27 minutes into the race.  Entering Turn 1, the right-front tire shredded on the car and Castroneves had to continue driving straight off the course.  The debris left behind caused the first full-course yellow of the event.

 Fortunately, Castroneves was able to limp back around to the pit area without sustaining major suspension or structural damage.  But, after all repairs were made, the car was completely checked out and new tires were placed on the car, Castroneves was one lap down to leader Matt Plumb.  Max Angelelli, driving the No. 10 "teammate" SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley from the Wayne Taylor Racing stable was running a strong third.

 The No. 10 car actually led some laps early in the race, before flat-spotting tires which forced Angellili to pit early.

 Good fortune struck the No. 9 team when problems with the No. 51 Tommy Erdos Cheever Racing entry and Ortelli Bambini's Cheever Racing No. 16 stalled, bringing out another full-course yellow. 

 Not only did it allow Castroneves to get his lap back, it also gave the team the opportunity to address an issue they had with radio communications when the No. 9 car hit pit road under the caution.

 Castroneves soldiered on until 2:08:20 into the 24-hour event, when a driver change was made under another yellow, allowing Briscoe to take over the driving duties.

 Scot Dixon, in the No. 02 Ganassi entry, had the lead after the restart, but Briscoe was coming up from the rear and was up to 14th.  At 2:34.05 into the event, Briscoe had powered the No. 9 Toshiba car back up into the top-10.

 With teams pitting for service and to change drivers, Briscoe was up to sixth at 2:54:27 and was second before pitting at 3:14:15.

 Laying down some very impressive lap times, Briscoe took the lead at 4:02:30 into the race and was praising how ell the car was handling with air pressure changes made during the most recent pit stop.

 Briscoe pitted and Busch took to the wheel for his first stint at 4:14:05 into the event.

 "It's been a lot of fun out there so far," Briscoe said after cooling off briefly.  The car's running great.  We were lucky that full course yellow came out when it did when we had the tire problem with Helio out there.  We only lost one lap and we were able to make it up. 

 "For some reason, or main radio swapped channels when Helio was in the car and we lost radio communication.  We had a full-course yellow that came out when we only had about a gallon of fuel left in the car.  We switched channels and got contact back, so I didn't get in the car as early as I might have.

 "The team has been doing a great job with all the pit stops and if feels good to have gotten the lead out there," Briscoe added.

 Busch held a steady pace and was thrown a major obstacle when a huge ra