From Goat to Gladiator

Ryan Briscoe can breathe easy. For at least one week.

The first-year Penske Racing driver fell under heavy scrutiny after eliminating the IRL’s media darling Danica Patrick from this year’s Indianapolis 500. If that was not bad enough, rumors started swirling that Briscoe would not return to Penske in 2009. Of course, that is assuming that he even survives the remainder of the season.

Briscoe, a journeyman at best, was off to a rocky start with Penske. Leading up to the Indy 500, he posted a top finish of seventh at Kansas, but he also sent a pair of cars to the scrap yard after accidents in the first two races.

Despite driving for Roger Penske, who possesses an unbelievable 14 Indy wins, Briscoe was anything but a favorite to bring home a 15th win. But, Briscoe shocked the world when he qualified his No. 6 Penske machine on the outside of the front row.

Briscoe’s immaculate run restored composure and confidence in the 26-year-old Aussie as he became a perennial threat to capture his first IndyCar win. The weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders as he prepared for his perfect opportunity…

…An opportunity that lasted a handful of laps after a botched pit stop sent Briscoe to the back of the pack. Then, with 29 laps left and Briscoe challenging for a top-5 finish, he tangled with Patrick while leaving the pits and his race was over.

And the controversy began.

The rumors of Briscoe’s firing, which started as a small twister, escalated into a category 5 hurricane. Potential replacement drivers were being suggested the media.

Tony Kanaan. Vitor Meira. Ryan Hunter-Reay. Sam Hornish, Jr.

People should feel sorry for Briscoe. He has become a victim of Penske’s legacy and success. There was one simple solution to prevent this minuscule snowball from growing into a massive avalanche.

Win. Win now. Win fast.

And win he did.

Briscoe won his first IRL event at the Milwaukee Mile last Sunday and in doing so silenced his critics (temporarily) and as owner Penske said, “Got the monkey off his back.”

After the Indy debacle, the monkey had grown into a 500-pound gorilla.

Briscoe earned his first victory, but he now has a more challenging task ahead of him – prove to everybody his win was not a fluke and that he deserves to be in the orange and white No. 6 Penske machine next season.

Was his win a fluke? Negative, Ghost Rider.

Briscoe ran with the front-runners throughout the afternoon and when he had his chance, he passed arguably the best driver on the planet in Scott Dixon. He made mature decisions and he held off Dixon for the final quarter of the race.

His win is legitimate, but Briscoe’s reputation and legacy is still in question.

Those questions should be answered this weekend when the IRL races under the lights in Texas.

Can Briscoe continue to redeem his reputation with another solid performance or will he return to his more familiar roots of failed results and crumbled machines?

I have been openly critical of Briscoe due to his lack of accomplishments prior to signing with Penske as I feel there were a handful of drivers more deserving of one of the premier jobs in all of auto racing.

But, it is what it is. Briscoe is Penske’s man, but his days are numbered. Remember, this is the same Roger Penske who fired 2-time Indy 500 champ Al Unser, Jr. There are plenty of suitable drivers ready to take over the reigns of the No. 6 machine, such as Graham Rahal and Kanaan. And who knows, if their lackluster results continue, Hornish, Jr. and Dario Franchitti could be viable options for 2009.

Until he gets his official pink slip, let’s just sit back and enjoy the Briscoe roller coaster. He was a goat after Indy. He was hailed as a gladiator after Milwaukee.

What will Briscoe be after Saturday’s race?

Goat or gladiator?