Though several CART-based teams had returned to the Indianapolis 500 beginning in 2000, Newman/Haas resisted a return to the race until 2004. While maintaining a full-time effort in Champ Car, the team entered singly at Indy with driver Bruno Junqueira. He was leading the race on lap 150, hoping to stretch his fuel and be leading the race when impending rain arrived – which could have given him the race victory. He was forced to pit, and finished 5th when the race was called on lap 180.