de Ferran to miss Motegi, Barron to drive.

Gil de Ferran will miss the Indy Racing League's inaugural trip to Twin Ring Motegi after suffering a small fracture to his lower back and a concussion in a fiery late-race crash in last Sunday's Purex Dial Indy 200 at Phoenix.

Marlboro Team Penske have been quick to draft in a replacement for the 35-year old Brazilian driver, naming American Alex Barron as Helio Castroneves' teammate for the Indy Japan 300 weekend, April 11th-13th.

"Obviously I am extremely disappointed that I will be unable to compete at the inaugural event at Twin Ring Motegi," stated de Ferran from his current base in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "I wish Alex and the team the best of luck in Japan."

This new setback is de Ferran's second injury-related lay-off in a span of four races following a crash at Chicagoland last year that resulted in a concussion and a fractured wrist and forced de Ferran to miss the season finale at Texas. Although his 2003 IRL IndyCar title aspirations have automatically been dealt a severe blow, de Ferran will be fit in time for the 87th Indianapolis 500 in May and understands the precautions that need to be taken.

"I respect Dr. Bock's decision and want to thank the medical staffs of the Indy Racing League, Phoenix International Raceway and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Centre in Phoenix for their excellent care," added de Ferran.

"Gil suffered a minor fracture of the neck and lower back and a slight concussion," said Dr. Henry Bock, Director of Medical Services, Indy Racing League. "These injuries will require a minimum of four weeks to heal, relegating Gil to the sideline for Motegi."

de Ferran was injured on lap 187 of the 200-lap Purex Dial Indy 200 at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway as he and Michael Andretti were battling for fifth place. When de Ferran made a move on Andretti's inside going into turn one Andretti moved down on de Ferran and both spun heavily into the outside wall. De Ferran went in rear first, rupturing an oil line and causing a flash fire. Although it was quickly doused and safety crews on the scene within seconds, it took several minutes to get de Ferran out of the car after his neck and back had taken such a jarring from the impact.

"Our primary concern is Gil's health. We understand that Dr. Bock's decision is in the best interest of Gil and his timely recovery," said Tim Cindric, President, Penske Racing Inc, "It is important to our programme to have an experienced driver in Gil's car as we head to Motegi for the first time with the Indy Racing League. We are fortunate that Alex Barron is available under these circumstances."

As ever in motor racing, one man's loss is another man's gain and, even though Barron wishes the circumstances of his arrival were different, the opportunity comes at a perfect time for him as he searches for a rise in the Indy 500. Last season Barron finished fifth in the IRL IndyCar Series point standings on the strength of eleven top-ten finishes in 15 events for the now-defunct Blair Racing operation, including his first IndyCar Series victory at Nashville Superspeedway. He was also named co-Rookie of the Year for his fourth place finish at the 86th Indianapolis 500.

In 1999 Barron drove several races for Penske in the CART FedEx Championship trying to develop the troublesome Penske PC27B. Even though that experience with the team was less than positive in terms of results, the 2003 Dallara-Toyota package used by the team in 2003 has already proved to be a potentially race winning combination.

"I look forward to representing Marlboro Team Penske and Roger again, though these are certainly difficult circumstances," said Barron. "I wish Gil all the best for a speedy recovery."