POWER TOPS OPENING DAY ON STREETS OF SURFERS PARADISE

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SURFERS PARADISE, Australia October 24, 2008: Will Power made a strong statement that he will be a contender to win in his home country by leading both Oct. 24 practice sessions for the Nikon Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

The Team Australia driver was quickest overall with a best lap of 1 minute, 34.8084 seconds (106.130 mph) on the 2.795-mile, 12-turn circuit. Team Penske's Helio Castroneves was second quick (1:36.1609; 104.637 mph) and Dario Franchitti, making his debut in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, was third (1:36.1712; 104.626).

Power's KV Racing Technology teammate, Oriol Servia (1:36.4394; 104.335), was fourth quick and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing teammates Graham Rahal (1:36.4963; 104.273) and Justin Wilson (1:36.5127; 104.256) were in the top six. Reigning IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon (1:36.5812; 104.182) was seventh on the chart.

Rahal Letterman Racing's Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2003 race winner, was eighth (1:36.8863; 103.854) and Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe was ninth (1:37.5183; 103.181). Tony Kanaan led the four-car Andretti Green Racing express in 10th (1:37.5488; 103.148).

POST-PRACTICE QUOTES:

WILL POWER (No. 8 Aussie Vineyards-Team Australia, Fastest of the day): "It was a very good day for the No. 8 KV Racing Technology - Team Australia car. It’s still early and qualifying isn’t until tomorrow. That and Sunday are all that matter to me. I am glad we are quick, but we still need to improve the car a bit tonight. This is a very competitive field and we will have to be faster tomorrow.”

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing, third-fastest of the day): “I wasn’t sure how we were going to do. I’ve been out of the car for a year, driving stock cars and others. I have to thank the guys for giving me a good car. I haven’t been here for five or six years, and I was surprised how quickly it came back to me. First lap out it felt like I haven’t been away. I was really happy with our performance and we’ll keep pushing tomorrow.”

ORIOL SERVIA (No. 5 Aussie Vineyards-Team Australia, fourth-fastest of the day): “It seems like the #5 KV Racing Technology – Team Australia car is good shape. Will (teammate Will Power) showed the speed that the car has, which is very good. I hurt my chances by crashing in the first practice, so am a little behind on the laps. But, the crew did a great job getting the car back together and I really want to thank them. Also, I know, and really like, this track, so I am confident we are going to get back to the top.”