Paul Tracy's 1997 Penske PC-26 Champ Car at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Penske PC-26 was a open-wheel racecar designed by Nigel Bennett and manufactured by Penske Cars in Poole, Dorset, that was used by Team Penske to compete in the 1997 CART Championship.[1] Whilst a development of the PC-25, the PC-26 was designed to address the twitchy nature of the previous year's car.[2]

Five chassis were produced and driven by Al Unser Jr. and Paul Tracy. The Ilmor-produced 850 bhp Mercedes-Benz IC108D engine served as the powerplant, driving through an Xtrac gearbox within a Penske housing. Aerodynamic changes from the previous year's car included revised sidepod inlets and a longer, sharper nose. The Delco Gen V electronics package was carried over from 1996 and remained a Penske-exclusive system.[3]

The PC26 proved to be a formidable short oval car, Paul Tracy recorded three victories in Rio, Nazareth and Gateway.[1] The victory at Gateway marked the 99th for the team and the final victory for a Penske Cars-produced chassis. Penske Racing would have to wait three years to gain its 100th victory.[1] The latter part of the season saw a variety of problems including an eye problem for Tracy as well as a lack of raw pace.

Complete CART World Series results

(key) (Results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Engine Tyres Driver No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points D.C.
1997 Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes-Benz IC108D V8t G MIA SUR LBH NAZ RIO GAT MIL DET POR CLE TOR MIC MDO ROA VAN LAG FON
United States Al Unser Jr. 2 27 27 4 3 7 18 20 8 25 4 20 20 22 7 5 11 22 67 13th
Canada Paul Tracy 3 2 19* 7 1* 1 1 6 Wth 7 7 10 4 27 28 28 26 26 121 5th

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pride of the Penske gene Pool". Motor Sport Magazine. February 2010. p. 46. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  2. ↑ "1997 Penske PC26 Mercedes Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  3. ↑ Bennett, N. (2013). Inspired to Design: – F1 cars, Indycars & racing tyres: the autobiography of Nigel Bennett. Veloce Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 9781845845360. Retrieved 2022-06-04.

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