Penske party after final test of 2000.

Team Penske completed their final test of 2000, with Gil de Ferran piloting the #1 Marlboro Honda Reynard around the Sebring road course - before the team headed for their annual Christmas party.

De Ferran, who was in a race car for the first time since he clinched the FedEx Series Championship at the season-ending Marlboro 500 in October, ran approximately 350 miles over the two-day test.

"After not having been in a race car since Fontana it really felt great to be back 'on the horse' again," said de Ferran. "We had a good test and we accomplished what we set out to do. Now is the time when we do our homework and prepare for the new season, and so far stage one has gone well."

"We still have a lot of work to do but overall I'm pleased with the results - the car ran well and its a nice way to end the year and head into the holiday season," De Ferran added.

Marlboro Team Penske then held their annual Christmas Party at Berkshire Country Club in Reading, PA.

The party provided an opportunity for the whole Team to get together and celebrate the 2000 season, with Roger Penske presenting each Team member with a ring commemorating the Team's 100th win, which Gil de Ferran earned for Penske at the Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix in Nazareth, PA, and their record-tenth National Championship.

In addition to the festivities in the Team's hometown, drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves accompanied Roger Penske and Penske Racing President Tim Cindric to New York City for a holiday visit at Philip Morris USA.

While there Penske, de Ferran and Cindric each received a sterling silver race car from Tiffany's in honour of the 100th win, while Castroneves received a framed piece of the fence he climbed when he recorded his first CART win in Detroit!

Castroneves then headed for the beaches of St. Barts, before heading to his home in Brazil to spend the holidays with family and friends.

Teammate de Ferran celebrated Christmas with his wife Angela and their two children at their home in Ft. Lauderdale, before heading for Utah to hit the slopes for some skiing and relaxation.