Stremme picked up as tester, sub?

As expected, for Cup Series racer David Stremme has been snapped up by Penske Racing to act as test driver, backing up the three-pronged attack of Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Sam Hornish Jr in 2008, but could also play a different role next month.

The former Ganassi driver, who lost out in the shuffle to accommodate IRL champion Dario Franchitti this season, will work with the race regulars to help develop the CoT-spec Dodge Charger, dovetailing the role with his Nationwide Series race programme with Rusty Wallace Inc.

"It's a rare opportunity to have someone of David's calibre work with Kurt, Ryan and Sam to help us improve our Sprint Cup programme," Penske president Tim Cindric acknowledged, "David has raced the new car and understands what it takes to compete at the highest levels."

Having lost his Cup ride to an IRL convert, however, the open-wheel series may provide Stremme with a quick return to competition, with Hornish being tipped to fill Penske's third, vacant, entry for the Indianapolis 500.

Regulars Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe were confirmed in their usual mounts when the 500 entry was published last week, but Penske has a third car listed, with TBA against the #77...

As usual, the Indianapolis race week coincides with the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, but it is the build-up to the blue riband event that could prove taxing for Hornish if he has to switch between the two codes.