Ryan Briscoe's wrist was sore following a manufacturer/team test Aug. 13 at Sonoma Raceway, which is understandable. During the nearly seven hours of track time, the 2012 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma winner was more focused on -- and generally pleased -- the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn road course.

Cleared to drive by INDYCAR, Briscoe will be back in the car for this weekend's GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.

“I’m obviously very happy to be back with the team and in the National Guard car,” said Briscoe, who suffered a fractured wrist in Race 1 of the Honda Indy Toronto on July 13. “My wrist held up pretty good during the test, although the (wrist) brace was a bit of a nuisance. But we made good progress during the test and worked through our program really well. I was pleased with our pace and definitely looking forward to coming back to find more speed.”

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Briscoe's car made contact with a tire barrier in a multi-car incident on the streets of Exhibition Place. Firestone Indy Lights championship leader Carlos Munoz was the spot starter in the No. 4 car for Race 2 the next afternoon and acquitted himself nicely by advancing seven positions to finish 17th. Briscoe underwent surgery July 16.

Oriol Servia drove the No. 4 car in the most recent event -- the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 4 (14th place).

An IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test is scheduled for Aug. 21 at Sonoma Raceway (open to race ticket-holders and those who purchase race tickets at the gate). The first practice session is from 11-11:45 a.m. (local) Aug. 23. The Aug. 25 race will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m. (local).

Briscoe is the defending race winner at Sonoma -- while with Team Penske -- and has finished in the top five each of the past five visits to the track. He started on the front row last year next to then-teammate Will Power, who has won the past three poles at the track.

“We knew Ryan was a tough guy and would bounce back from his wrist surgery quickly,” Panther Racing owner John Barnes said. “He looked great at the test we had last week and you don’t have to do much research to see how well he’s done historically at Sonoma Raceway. Thankfully, we’ve got even more time to work on the National Guard car in practice and we’re all really excited to have him back in the seat this weekend.” 

Briscoe has competed in seven IZOD IndyCar Series races this season, with a best finish of 12th in the Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing. He replaced JR Hildebrand at Panther Racing for the doubleheader race weekend in Detroit the next week.