Catchfence

“Untimely Caution Flag Puts National Guard Panther Racing Team Lap Down Early”

RICHMOND, Va. (June 27, 2009) – Panther Racing driver Dan Wheldon captured the National Guard team’s seventh consecutive Top Ten finish Saturday during an uneventful race at Richmond International Raceway. Wheldon, who started 13th, overcame two untimely caution flags to finish in 10th position.

The result leaves the team in the sixth position in the IndyCar Series points standings, as the IndyCar Series will hit the road next weekend at Watkins Glen International Raceway – the first in a string of non-oval events.

Wheldon was running in 11th position as the race approached its mid-point, when he pitted for the second time on Lap 131. A caution flag just seven laps later when Mike Conway crashed proved costly for the team, as it put the No. 4 car a lap down to the field. Dan was able to climb as high as seventh before pitting again on Lap 239, but again the team was struck by an untimely yellow when the caution came out just nine laps after the pit stop when Helio Castroneves hit the wall on the exit of turn two.

Scott Dixon was the race winner with his teammate Dario Franchitti second and Graham Rahal third. Next weekend’s Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen will be broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, July 5th at 1 p.m. with additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network and Sirius XM Channel 211.

Panther’s No. 4 National Guard car will return to the camo paint scheme for this event, in honor of the Fourth of July weekend holiday.

Dan Wheldon, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

“It’s one of those days, we were a little unlucky here and there with the caution flags. The National Guard Panther Racing car was really good on a green racetrack, but once the rubber was down on the track we didn’t have the balance that we needed. Obviously it’s a Top Ten and we can roll the car back on the truck, and that’s good, and now we’ll start working towards Watkins Glen.”

- Panther Racing Press Release