PHOENIX -- Of all the things missing from Indy-car racing during the past seven years -- fans, television ratings and sponsors -- nothing has been more noticeable than the lack of rivalries.

Neither the Indy Racing League or Championship Auto Racing Teams have produced anything like NASCAR's Jeff Gordon vs. Tony Stewart.

	Helio Castroneves' win on Sunday let Sam Hornish Jr. know he has company at the top.

Sure, there was Juan Montoya against the IRL at Indy in 2000 but that only lasted a couple weeks. Michael Andretti and Paul Tracy were about the closest thing to a rivalry in CART and it still didn't register that much on the passion scale. Certainly nothing like A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti in the '60s.

But, two races into the 2002 IRL season, open-wheel racing may finally have something to galvanize its fan base.

Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran vs. Sam Hornish Jr.

The defending Indy 500 winner and two-time CART champion against the 2001 IRL king has the makings of something that could draw people into making a choice.

After Homestead two weeks ago and Sunday's Bombardier 200 here at Phoenix International Raceway, this trio is virtually inseparable. Castroneves won Sunday afternoon following his third place in the opener. Hornish took third here after running away with Homestead. And de Ferran has run second both times.

Not that this surprises anybody. Team Penske is the most successful team in open-wheel history and, despite its learning curve with the IRL cars and engines, can't consider anything but an IRL championship a success with its vast depth and resources.

Hornish, whose on-track savvy belies his 21 years, and his Panther Team were clearly the class of Tony George's all-oval series in 2001 despite not having anything close to the largest budget.

And the line of demarcation is perfect for a form of motorsports that desperately needs some personality.

All the CART fans that pulled for Team Penske, and even the ones who hate him for abandoning the series he help start, now have a reason to watch IRL races.

All the IRL fans who despise Team Penske's power and prowess have a hero in Hornish.

"That's the way it should be," said Roger Penske, whose presence has always elicited emotions in American motorsports. "I'd like to get to the point where we win all the races and get booed like Jeff Gordon.

"But we knew Sam and his team were going to be fierce competition. They've got a lot of experience and he's a super young driver."

The principals acknowledge there could be a budding rivalry, although all three down play it.

"Great, that's the whole idea I suppose, but it's not a conscious effort on my part," said de Ferran, who ran side-by-side with Castroneves for almost the entire lap on Lap 183 when he lost the lead on a restart. "I suppose it's natural that IRL fans pull for Sam and that's a good thing. Whatever gets people to watch is good.

"But bloody hell, I sure didn't get any help from my teammate today."

While the 34-year-old Brazilian is more the voice of reason and experience, his teammate and Hornish are cut from the same fabric: young, aggressive throttle psychos who hate being passed. Sam won the pole at Homestead and started second Sunday. Helio started second at Homestead and won the pole position here.

Castroneves expected Hornish to be formidable.

"I watched some IRL races when I could last year and I knew Sam was good," he said. "To be honest, it's good that maybe we're going to be battling each other all season.

"But what I like most is racing with Sam. You can run hard next to him and he races you fair. Just like Gil."

Hornish, whose gearbox problems may have thwarted his chances at victory, nonetheless pushed the Penske boys to the checkered flag and still holds the point lead heading to Fontana, Calif. this weekend.

"I'm all for rivalries," he grinned. "I just wish there was one more driver on my side."