Castroneves expecting 'war' for title

The Penske ace is currently tied for the lead of the championship with Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon. Tony Kanaan, Sam Hornish Jr and Gil de Ferran are also in contention for the title. This is the second year running that Castroneves has gone into the final race with a shot at the crown, after he was narrowly beaten to last year's title by Hornish.

"It's going to be another exciting race in Texas and a great down-to-the-wire battle for the IRL IndyCar Series championship," said Castroneves. "This year is different that last when it was just Sam and I going for the title. Now there are five experienced and fiercely competitive drivers trying to win, so it's going to be a war out there. We are just going to go for it and give it our all."

With the title battle so finely balanced, each driver will be looking for every edge possible in Texas. To this end, Castroneves has taken inspiration from a fine Texan tradition, and has hung a lucky horseshoe above his pit garage.

"With the points race as close as it is, I don't want to take any chances," he explained. "I have the opportunity to win my first major open-wheel championship and with these four guys chasing me the last thing I need is bad luck."