Panther Racing

The opening lap of the race was eventful, with two significant crashes in the first turn of the 11-turn, 2.6-mile street course. The accidents helped Wheldon immediately jump to within the Top Ten, and after the race was restarted Panther’s National Guard driver quickly moved up the field, passing Hideki Mutoh, Vitor Meira and Raphael Matos to reach the Top Five by Lap 15.

Simona De Silvestro elected not to pit during the first round of pit stops and Wheldon returned to the field in sixth, where he began to battle with Alex Tagliani for fifth position. As Wheldon attempted to move inside Tagliani at the end of the backstretch on Lap 28, he struck a large bump which caused him to lock his brakes and run into the rear of the No. 77 car. The accident also sent Tagliani into the back of Andretti Autosport driver Tony Kanaan, who spun into the runoff area.

Wheldon immediately claimed responsibility for the accident on the radio, and adamantly apologized to the crews of both drivers after the race.

After the incident, Panther fell back to 13th position as the team had to pit for a new front wing and a set of rain tires to combat the oncoming rain storm. The rain was significant enough that the race had to be red-flagged on Lap 37 because the accumulation of rainwater left the track unsafe. Immediately upon the re-start of the race, the National Guard team sent Wheldon back into the pits to change to slick tires. The risky call by Chief Engineer David Cripps and Race Strategist John Barnes turned out to be a good one, as Panther’s driver was able to move back into sixth position by Lap 43.

Wheldon advanced one more position after Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe crashed into the tire barriers, and was able to hold off former teammates Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti during the final six green-flag laps. It was his second Top Five finish on a street course with Panther, equaling his effort at Long Beach in 2009.

The race was won by Penske Racing pilot Will Power, who was joined on the podium by IZOD driver Ryan Hunter-Reay and former Panther driver Vitor Meira, who – like Power – was making his first IZOD IndyCar Series start following fractured vertebra suffered during competition last season.

The IZOD IndyCar Series will have a week off prior to traveling to Wheldon’s hometown for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which will be broadcast live Sunday, March 28th at 3:30 p.m. (EST) on ABC, with additional coverage provided by IMS Radio Network and XM channel 145 and Sirius 211.

Dan Wheldon, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

“It’s really great for all of us at Panther Racing to start the season with a Top Five, but first I have to apologize for taking Tag (Alex Tagliani) and TK (Tony Kanaan) out of the race. Tag had a bit of a bobble coming onto the straight and I got a really good run; he defended a little bit and I was going to look to the inside but decided to pull in just a touch and when I braked I hit a really big bump and it just lifted my front wheels off the ground.

When that happens you can’t stop. That was a really good effort from the National Guard boys, and I think it goes to show that we work really hard as a group, and the continuity around here has been really strong, and I’m sure it will continue. If we keep coming in the Top Five we’re going to break into Victory Lane. We were really strong today – the National Guard car was really nice to drive and I was able to dive down inside people. It was exciting, and it’s going to be an exciting IZOD IndyCar Series season.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

IZOD IndyCar Series Logo

1. IZOD IndyCar Series has Super Bowl XLIV ties

2. Wilson co-drives runner-up car in 24-hour race

3. Wheldon goes back to his karting roots

4. Drivers to meet with Brazil president

5. Tickets on sale for Sao Paulo Indy 300

1. IZOD IndyCar Series has Super Bowl XLIV ties: The Indy Racing League Championship Cup, hoisted by Dario Franchitti at Homestead-Miami Speedway in October, will be on display in downtown Miami this week as part of the Eats, Beats and Cleats fan event preceding Super Bowl XLIV.

Eats, Beats and Cleats, which replaces the NFL Experience, will showcase more than 75 current and former NFL All-Stars and other sports legends during the four-day event on Lincoln Road.

Also, the Indy Racing Experience street-legal two-seater will be in town to shuttle media and personalities around Miami. Three IZOD IndyCar Series show cars will be in Miami, too.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, who tested the No. 37 IZOD car for Andretti Autosport at Sebring International last week and co-drove the third-place car in the Rolex 24 At Daytona over the weekend, will be among the participants in the Super Bowl Hall of Fame Players Classic presented by Van Heusen on Feb. 4 at the Biltmore Golf Club and Resort in Coral Gables. The event’s goals are to raise awareness and funds for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Assistance Fund, which lends assistance to fellow Hall of Fame alumni.

Andretti Autosport driver Danica Patrick will be a guest on “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” on Feb. 3 (8 p.m. EST, CBS). Patrick has been featured in GoDaddy.com spots during the Super Bowl the past few years.

As a side note, Patrick is included in BusinessWeek’s 2010 Power 100 list of athletes. Tiger Woods, who ended ‘09 embroiled in scandal, still topped the list as he raked in an estimated $103 million on and off the golf course. The issue is on newsstands and online now.

2. Wilson co-drives runner-up car in 24-hour race: IZOD IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson co-drove the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates car to a runner-up finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 31.

Wilson teamed with Scott Pruett, Max Papis and Memo Rojas. The No. 01 entry was just one of two Daytona Prototypes to finish on the lead lap, finishing 52.303 seconds behind the No. 9 Action Express Racing car.

“I really enjoyed being part of this team for the weekend,” Wilson said. “We seemed to always be first or second. What a great experience.”

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates’ second entry, driven by reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray, retired with mechanical issues to finish 15th in the Daytona Prototype class. The two cars combined to lead 285 of the 755 laps (No. 01 led 146 laps).

Ryan Hunter-Reay, who will drive the No. 37 IZOD car for Andretti Autosport this season, teamed with Scott Tucker, Richard Westbrook and Lucas Luhr to finish third overall.

KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser, 2009 Apex-Brasil Rookie of the Year Raphael Matos of Luczo Dragon Racing, 2004 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Rice, and IZOD IndyCar Series driver Darren Manning also competed in the event.

3. Wheldon goes back to his karting roots: It’s difficult to keep IZOD IndyCar Series driver Dan Wheldon off a racetrack.

Over the weekend, he drove in the Rotax Senior division of the CKI Florida Cup in Homestead, Fla. – the first of 13 scheduled karting events he’ll compete in around the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule.

“Kart racing is something that is very close to my heart,” said Wheldon, the 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series champion who will compete for the second season in the No. 4 National Guard car for Panther Racing. “It’s how I got my start in racing when I was 4 years old. And once you develop a love for kart racing it never goes away, no matter how successful a racing career you might develop over the years in other disciplines.”

Wheldon, who earned second place at the World Karting Association event in Daytona, Fla., in December, will participate in two karting events before the IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park on Feb. 24-25. He’ll return to Homestead (Fla.) Feb. 26 for the second round of the CKI Florida Cup.

“I couldn’t say no to an opportunity to race with some of the best up-and-coming talent out there,” said Wheldon, 31. “Those kids are keeping me on my toes … and that is not something that I take lightly.”

Vitor Meira, who will drive the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series, also competed in the Rotax Senior division at the Homestead facility.

4. Brazilian drivers to meet with President Lula: IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Raphael Matos, Vitor Meira and Mario Moraes and Firestone Indy Lights standout Ana Beatriz are scheduled to participate in a photo opportunity with Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Feb. 2 in the capital city of Brasilia.

The meet and greet is in advance of the inaugural São Paulo Indy 300 on the streets of the state capital March 14. It will be the first IZOD IndyCar Series race in South America and will kick off the 17-race season.

5. Tickets on sale for São Paulo Indy 300: Tickets for the São Paulo Indy 300 on March 14 are on sale by visiting www.saopauloindy300.com.br or www.livepass.com.br. Most of the grandstands for the 75-lap race on the 2.6-mile, 11-turn circuit are part of the Sambodromo – permanent structures mainly used during the colorful parades of Carnival this month.

***

The 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season begins March 14 with the Sao Paulo Indy 300 on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) by VERSUS. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel 211. The race also will be carried on www.indycar.com. The 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season opens with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg March 28 on the streets of St. Petersburg. The race will air live on indycar.com.

- Indy Racing League, Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (January 29, 2010) – A frightening bobsled crash involving National Guard Panther Racing driver Dan Wheldon will be featured this Sunday at 5 p.m. (EST) during SPEED channel’s broadcast of the annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge.

Wheldon, who was attending the event on behalf of the National Guard, was in Lake Placid taking a demonstration ride with NHRA driver Phil Burkhart, when he flipped the bobsled – sending Wheldon out the back of the sled, where he slid down the remainder of the course at just under 70 mph.

“I must say, it was the hardest crash I’ve ever experienced in my career,” Wheldon said. “But at the same time, I have an entirely new respect for the people that are professional bobsledders. It honestly was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had, but by the same token it was a lot of fun. I was having a great time … right up until the point (Burkhart) crashed.”

The National Guard played a key role in the event, as Soldiers worked as brakemen during the race. The race was highlighted by motorsports stars Boris Said, Joey Logano and others. Bodine organized the event in an effort to help raise money for the USA Olympic bobsled team.

Wheldon, the 2005 Indianapolis and IZOD IndyCar Series champion, was a great sport during the event – and bowed to the crowed immediately following the accident.

“Driving a bobsled sure looks a lot easier than it is, but if I was driving we would have crashed in a much more spectacular fashion,” Wheldon joked. “But this shows how difficult this is and how incredibly talented these people are that do this in the Olympics. And it’s another reason I’m so thankful to be sponsored by the National Guard because I have the opportunity to do exciting events like this, so I appreciate the Guard and Geoff Bodine having me out this year.”

Aside from some substantial bruising, Wheldon was uninjured in the crash, which will be the highlight of Sunday’s broadcast on SPEED.

“You got the full experience,” Bodine told with Wheldon after the crash. “I’ve only crashed here once, and that was during a test. So you’re tied with me.”

Boris Said, the defending champion of the event, had an even better take on the crash once the crowd had been assured Wheldon was uninjured.

“He’s going to have to go back to IndyCars where it’s safe,” Said joked.

- Panther Racing Press Release

Continuing effort by IMS, race teams, drivers has raised more than $8,400

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indy winners who signed the helmet include Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, A.J. Foyt, Gordon Johncock, Buddy Lazier, Arie Luyendyk, Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal, Jim Rathmann, Buddy Rice, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Bobby Unser, Dan Wheldon and more.

“What a great piece of history,” Dixon said. “I’m not sure anything like this helmet exists today. I hope it will bring in a big number, as the proceeds will definitely be going toward a very worthy cause.”

All proceeds from the eBay auction of racing memorabilia, which began Jan. 15, are being donated to Red Cross relief efforts for the devastating earthquake Jan. 12. Items are designated as part of the Haiti relief program. The auction site:

http://shop.ebay.com/ims_online/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

More items are arriving from race teams and competitors from around the world and being added to the auction regularly. Check the auction site daily for updates.

Some of the exciting items added to the auctions between Jan. 23-29:

•ABC Supply helmet visor and ABC Supply diecast car signed by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt

•Andretti “Racing Line” poster signed by 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Jeff Andretti

•Tissot watch signed by 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden

•Race-worn camouflage gloves and shoes signed by 2005 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon

•Brushed metal diecast of the No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet signed by two-time Brickyard 400 winner Tony Stewart

•Red Bull Racing PUMA team jacket signed by NASCAR star Brian Vickers

•Red Bull Toyota sheet metal signed by Vickers

•Promotional standup of IZOD IndyCar Series star Sarah Fisher, signed by Fisher

•1973 Indianapolis 500 qualifying photo of Bill Vukovich Jr., signed by Vukovich

“This is a great cause, and I’m happy to help,” said Hayden, a podium finisher in the first two Red Bull Indianapolis GP races at IMS. “What happened there is terrible and breaks my heart, but it’s cool when you see the whole world coming together and trying to help out and show the Haitians that we are with them.”

Other autographed items remain up for auction, including memorabilia signed by NASCAR standout Scott Speed, IZOD IndyCar Series star Ed Carpenter and noted motorsports artist David Uhl.

Completed auctions that drew many bids include a VIP ticket/hotel package for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 race weekend May 28-May 30, which sold for nearly $4,400, and a replica milk bottle signed by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves, which sold for nearly $350.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti,” Castroneves said. “The devastation there is terrible, and when you see that, you want to help however you can. We’re happy that we are able to help, even in just a small way, by raising relief funds through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the American Red Cross through this online auction.”

Fans visiting Brickyard Authentics retail locations at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and Indianapolis International Airport will receive a 20 percent savings on any purchase with a donation of $5 or more to the American Red Cross canisters located near the register. This program is valid at the retail stores only.

Fans also can contribute directly to American Red Cross International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Donors also can text “Haiti” to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or read the blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

***

IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

- Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Press Release

Kentucky Speedway Logo

Firestone Indy Lights competitors will open the two-day test on May 3. Sessions are scheduled from noon to 6:00 p.m., both days.

Kentucky Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park (Feb. 23-26) will be the sites of the only open series test sessions this season. A 300-mile IndyCar Series race will conclude Kentucky Speedway’s first Labor Day weekend celebration with the Firestone Indy Lights “Drive Smart. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 100” Sept. 4. The race weekend will open Sept. 3 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers.”

In addition to the open test sessions, IZOD IndyCar Series teams are allowed as many as six private testing days and a minimum of 800 test miles, depending on the number of full-time cars fielded by the team. Teams can earn 300 bonus test miles by testing a Firestone Indy Lights driver at least 600 miles for a maximum of three private test days.

The IZOD IndyCar Series season opens March 14 on the streets of vibrant Sao Paulo, Brazil. The initial Firestone Indy Lights race will be held March 28 on the picturesque St. Petersburg, Fla., street circuit. The first four races for IZOD IndyCar Series and first three Firestone Indy Lights races will be contested on road/street courses, including the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 11 at the 2.38-mile road course in Birmingham, Ala.

“The way the 2010 schedule allowed for the opportunity for our teams to focus their preseason plans on the road and street course events which open the season,” said Brian Barnhart, president of competition and racing operations for the Indy Racing League. “By shifting oval testing to in-season, teams have the option of keeping their equipment in road-course trim until they are ready to focus on the oval portion of the schedule, including the month of May at Indianapolis.”

Fans will be able to view all Kentucky testing from the designated area outside the Turn 3 Fan Center for free.

The speedway will open its 2010 season June 11-12 when the NASCAR Nationwide Series lays claim to the 1.5-mile tri-oval track. The weekend begins with “Drive Smart. Click it or Ticket. Practice Day” on Friday and concludes with the “Meijer 300” Saturday.

Four affordable Kentucky Speedway season ticket plans are on sale now. Plans are priced as low as $139 and include stellar benefits such as the right to renew seat locations for future seasons, parking and infield access passes as well as discounts off the purchase of additional single-race tickets.

- Kentucky Speedway Press Release

The fourth episode of Weekend Warriors TV is now online and ready for viewing. Found at WeekendWarriorsTV.com, the episode, Karts Gone Wild, was recently filmed during the World Karting Association Karting Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Host Brittany Lofton goes one on one with some of WKA’s stand-out racers, in addition to former Indianapolis 500 winner and current IndyCar Series racer Dan Wheldon, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jamie McMurray and A.J. Allmendinger.

In tandem with debuting the latest installment of Weekend Warriors TV, the crew is also pleased to announce that the WWTV show is now available in full screen capabilities, thanks to a new video hosting service courtesy of Fliqz.

Hosted by Lofton, and directed by Brett Bortle, Weekend Warriors TV focuses on grassroots racing across the country. Just four episodes deep, WWTV has already delved behind the scenes with racers spanning USAR Pro Cup Series, World of Outlaws, dirt modifieds, and karts. Next up, the WWTV crew will pack up and head west to Laughlin, Nevada and mix things up with some off-road racing at the Score International Laughlin Desert Challenge later this week. The episode featuring the off-road challenge will debut on Tuesday, January 26th.

To watch past episodes and to learn more about the show, visit http://www.WeekendWarriorsTV.com

To follow WWTV on Twitter, visit http://twitter.com/WkndWarriorsTV

- Lofton Public Relations Press Release

IZOD IndyCar Series Logo

1. Firestone test at Miami signals start of  2010

2. Wheldon takes on bobsleds

3. Howard gets back on the track

4. Fisher invites Ellen to Indianapolis 500

1. Firestone test at Homestead-Miami signals start of  2010: The sounds of IZOD IndyCar Series cars returned to South Florida as Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske participated in the first day of the first Firestone tire test of the 2010 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The two-day test features reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti and Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe. Though it was 40 degrees cooler than it was the last time the drivers toured the Homestead-Miami Speedway ’s 1.5 oval, everyone seemed excited to get back on track and get to work.

Franchitti said he’s enjoyed the off-season (only two visits to the shop in Indianapolis), which included the wedding of his brother, Marino, to Holly Mason (daughter of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason).

“He’s still in one piece and the wedding came off,” Franchitti said. “It was an amazing wedding and I really enjoyed that a lot.”

The Franchitti brothers will be at Daytona International Speedway this week for Rolex 24 At Daytona testing. They’ll be driving separate Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates prototypes. The race is Jan. 30-31.

“I’m looking forward to being on the same team with him again, though it’s not in the same car,” Dario said.

Also back to work was Briscoe, who was married last month in Hawaii where he said everything went off without a hitch.

“It was absolutely perfect,” said Briscoe, who wed Nicole Manske. “We had all our closest friends and family there. It actually was a big turnout for being a destination wedding; we had about 100 guests. We’re really happy.”

2. Wheldon takes on bobsleds: IZOD IndyCar Series driver Dan Wheldon will be among the racing stars attending the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge – an annual event hosted by the former NASCAR star to raise money for the USA Olympic Bobsled team.

While there are no scheduled plans for the 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series champion to race a bobsled, the thought is that his natural competitive fire combined with some good ole fashioned peer pressure from his friend in the National Guard could sway the Panther Racing driver into making a run in a sled.

“I’m really excited about it,” Wheldon said. “It’s certainly a form of racing that I’m not terribly familiar with, but I’m sure we’re going to learn a lot this weekend with our friends from the National Guard.”

Bodine, a former Daytona 500 champion and winner of 18 other stock car races, has held the event in Lake Placid, N.Y. for the past four years. Wheldon will join other drivers from NASCAR and the NHRA as the event kicks off this weekend in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The event is being supported by the National Guard, which is having some of its soldiers work as brake men on the sled during the race. In addition to Bodine, the event will feature Joey Logano, Boris Said, Johnny Benson, Ron Hornaday, Morgan Lucas and others.

3. Howard gets back on the track: Jay Howard, the 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion who will compete in four IZOD IndyCar Series races this season for Sarah Fisher Racing with backing from Tire Kingdom, will be back in a go-kart for the CKI Florida Cup at the circuit adjacent to Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Round 1 of the Florida Cup is scheduled for Jan. 29-31. The others are in February and March. He’ll compete in the Rotax Senior Division at the Florida Cup in addition to select WSK North American Series events.

Also, Howard has formed an on-site engine building, repairing and service support program with a recent partnership with British and European champions Ogden Racing Engines of the UK.

“I am excited to get back in a kart,” said Howard, a Florida resident. “I try and do select events each year and with the way the CKI program is headed, I had to jump at the opportunity on my off weekends from the professional circuit. I am very excited about the opportunities and possibilities in 2010.”

4. Fisher invites Ellen to Indianapolis 500: Sarah Fisher wants day-time talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to be her guest at the Indianapolis 500 and is taking a unique approach to invite her, via the social networking site Twitter.

Fisher, the only female owner/driver in the IZOD IndyCar Series, has started a twitter account, @ellen2Indy500, and invited race fans to support her grassroots campaign to get DeGeneres to come to the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

“1 of my resolutions is 2have @TheEllenShow (DeGeneres) n my book & n return give her tix 2 the Indy500 this May. Follow how we reach her @ellen2indy500,” Fisher wrote on her own twitter account, @sarahfisher67.

Fisher also hopes to include a quote from DeGeneres in her book, “99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before You Got Behind The Wheel Of Your Dream Job,” which will be published in May. In the book, Fisher includes quotes from pioneering women who have made a name for themselves in their chosen field.

- Indy Racing League, Press Release

Five-time Daytona 200 By Honda champion, Indianapolis
500 champion taking part in karting racing at DIS

Daytona International Speedway Logo

After retirement from motorcycle racing, he went from two wheels to four wheels with sports cars from the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and competed for the first time in the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona, the prestigious sports car classic.

Now, the Conyers, Ga., native is trying his hand at another form of racing at Daytona International Speedway – karting in the annual Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket.

The three-day event, which began Monday, showcases the World Karting Association on three courses – the 3.56-mile Daytona road course, the Sprint track in turns 3 and 4 and the newly constructed quarter-mile dirt track outside turns 1 and 2.

“It’s Daytona for me, it’s a great place to me,” said Russell, who is behind the wheel of a No. 4 kart on the Sprint track. “It’s a new experience. I want to come out here and see where I stand up against some of the top guys in karting, more or less having fun with it.”

Russell just took karting up a few months ago and is using it as a way to ease the transition between motorcycles and sports cars.

“What a great tool this is,” Russell said. “We’re learning everyday with the setup of this thing, just learning how to drive. Going from two wheels to four wheels, there wasn’t a whole lot of crossover there, just the track knowledge that I had in the past. It’s a whole different animal.

“This is definitely going to help me. I’m back in the GT class (in the Rolex Series) with Paul Edwards and a Corvette. I think this will apply to that. Anything that I can do to make it better on that end, that’s what I’m doing.”

Russell is also feeling out a new course at Daytona. He has plenty of laps on the 3.56-mile road course and the 2.9-mile motorcycle course, but he has never turned a lap on the half-mile Sprint course.

“What a neat little course that they made out here,” Russell said. “It’s really a lot of fun with the way it’s set up. It’s tough. It’s slippery out here. Daytona is typically slippery in the infield and it has transferred into this as well. Getting the kart set up right and learning a new track is great experience.”

Open-wheel star Wheldon in attendance:

Like Russell and NASCAR stars Jamie McMurray and AJ Allmendinger, IZOD IndyCar Series star Dan Wheldon is also competing on the half-mile Sprint track during Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket.

Wheldon, who drives for Panther Racing and lives in nearby St. Petersburg, loves racing karts whenever he gets the opportunity in his schedule.

“I just love it,” said Wheldon, the 2005 Indianapolis 500 champion. “Any kart race that I can do, I will try to do and when you’ve got one going on at Daytona, that’s certainly one that you want to compete in. It’s like all of these kart races, it’s very competitive.

“It’s very nice to spend Christmas with my wife and my son but she knows that if I sit at home too long, that I will probably drive her mad. You don’t get the time to do this as much as you would like. Anytime that you do get time, you definitely want to utilize it.”

Wheldon, who began karting at the age of 4, has been behind the wheel at Daytona before turning laps in both IZOD IndyCar Series testing as well as competing in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

He has a strong passion for karting and believes it’s a great developmental series for anybody interested in racing.

“I think it is the only way that people start nowadays,” Wheldon said. “Whether it’s on a road course in a go-kart or whether they race on some dirt, I think karting is the stepping stone to any form of motorsport. It’s very competitive in America. I think America is a great place to start a karting career.

“From what I’ve seen, there’s huge competition but there’s also a very nice atmosphere. I think that it’s a great environment for children to grow up in but also where they can learn the fundamentals of racing and learn how to respect people and share great family time.”

TICKETS

Tickets for Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket can be purchased at Ticket Booth E located above the Turn 1 tunnel. Single-day passes are $15 and children under seven are $10.

- Daytona International Speedway, Press Release

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

Wheldon had been battling with another Andretti Green Racing driver, Hideki Mutoh, for seventh position when he pitted on Lap 149 for what would have been his final stop of the day. As he exited the National Guard pit box, he made contact with Danica’s No. 7 car – which was entering its box a few stalls ahead. The Panther crew made repairs to the No. 4 car and sent Wheldon out for one more lap, but the damage was too significant to safely continue in the race.

The finish drops Wheldon to tenth in the final championship standings, after a thrilling race concluded with Dario Franchitti as the 2009 IndyCar Champion. The race looked to be a victory for either Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe or Ganassi Racing pilot Scott Dixon, but both competitors had to make an additional pit stop for fuel, which gave the race victory to Franchitti – who had run in third place for most of the event.

Wheldon concluded the season with a total of three Top Five and nine Top Ten finishes, with a best finish of second place in the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.

Dan Wheldon

“The National Guard car was very well balanced at the start and we moved to the front very quickly. We were being pretty aggressive in terms of trying to get to the front as quick as possible. Once it settled down I got into fifth and I had just a little bit too much understeer to stay there and dropped back a little bit and was fighting with Hideki Mutoh for seventh. (On the pit incident with Danica) It was one of those things, and unfortunate for everybody on the National Guard Panther Racing team, but in a lot of ways it sums up the luck we’ve had this season.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

In all, Panther has captured two victories at the track (2001-02) with Sam Hornish Jr. and Wheldon set a league record with three consecutive wins there (2005, 2006 and 2007) earlier in his career. Wheldon’s streak of victories came during stints with two different teams, Andretti-Green Racing (2005) and Ganassi Racing (2006-07) while Panther won IndyCar Series championships each season where it won at Homestead.

And while the promotion entering the race is focused on one of the IndyCar Series’ tightest championship battles in history, featuring Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Team Penske pilot Ryan Briscoe, Wheldon and Panther have shown in the last two events – held at Chicago and Japan – that their No. 4 car has the speed to be a factor in the race on Saturday. Unfortunately for Wheldon, a broken half-shaft at Chicago and an ill-timed caution in Japan left the former Indy 500 champion unable to show what he had when the race was at its most crucial point.

Wheldon won’t be fighting for a championship Saturday – the team is currently ninth in the standings – but what he hopes for is to be challenging for his first race victory as a member of Panther Racing.

The Firestone Indy 300 will be broadcast live on VERSUS at 4 p.m. with additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, www.indycar.com, and XM Sirius Channel 211.

Fisher House Foundation President Dave Coker Presents Barnes with “Patriot Award”

Panther Racing team owner John Barnes was honored by the Fisher House Foundation Thursday during a day of activities for National Guard Soldiers at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Barnes, who has visited Wounded Warriors across the country the last two seasons, has also made stops to Fisher House facilities at St. Petersburg (Fla.), Richmond (Va.), and Palo Alto (Calif.) this season.

Fisher House Foundation Dave Coker presented Barnes with the organization’s “Patriot Award”, which was established in 2002 as a means to recognize “extraordinary efforts supporting the quality of life of our greatest national treasure – our military service men and women, and their families.”

“For the hospitality and generosity you’ve shown to our families throughout the season,” Coker told Barnes during the presentation. “I don’t even know how many hundreds you’ve hosted, but you, Panther and Dan (Wheldon) have let our families know that there are those who care about them in their time of need. And you have honored them this season.”

“You can see how much better the healing process is for the Soldiers when we visit them and their families at the Fisher House,” Barnes said. “What they do is incredible, and we just feel honored to be able to help in a little way and carry their logo on our racecar. It’s such a privilege to be aligned with them, and we look forward to doing that in the future.”

The Fisher House supports injured service men and women by providing “comfort homes”, built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The homes enable family members to be close to their loved ones as the most stressful times – during the hospitalization of an unexpected illness, disease or injury. Families are not charged for the time they stay at the home.

Dan Wheldon

“It’s definitely a track that I feel very confident around and obviously my finishing record there speaks for itself. I’m very comfortable running the car loose on the ovals, and a lot of these 1.5-mile tracks always tend to suit my style. But being realistic we haven’t tested there, we missed one day prior to the start of the season and then we have not tested there since and the majority of the team’s have. So that will put us on the back foot a little bit, but if you look at the momentum we’ve created at both Chicago and Motegi, it shows that the National Guard car is very strong, it’s just very important that we come out and have a strong first practice and build upon that. And I’m sure if we do that we’ll certainly be in contention to win. And I’d hate to end this season having not won a race, so that’s our motivation.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

“Wheldon Runs Top Three All Day, Gets Caught Out During Hunter-Reay Crash”

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

The result was Wheldon’s ninth Top Ten finish of the season, and he remains ninth in the IndyCar Series point standings – 12 points behind Tony Kanaan.

After qualifying eighth for today’s event, Wheldon moved up quickly in his No. 4 National Guard Honda. He passed Oriol Servia, Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti and Tomas Scheckter to move into sixth position before the tenth lap of the race and then passed Andretti Green Racing driver Danica Patrick on Lap 21 to move into the Top Five. After chasing Team Penske driver – and championship points leader – Ryan Briscoe for more than 20 laps, he moved passed the No. 6 car and KV Racing’s Mario Moraes to claim the third position before the team’s first pit stop on Lap 49.

Quick pit work by the Panther pit crew on the next three pit stops – on Laps 49, 100 and 157, respectively – kept Wheldon in the hunt with Dixon and Franchitti inside the Top Three. But it was following the team’s last stop that Hunter-Reay crashed hard into Motegi’s fourth-turn wall, bringing out a caution flag. Having just pitted, the untimely caution caught Wheldon out and he was forced to take the final restart in eighth position behind several lapped cars.

The IndyCar Series season will conclude in two weeks at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a track where Panther and Wheldon – respectively – have captured victories in five of the eight IndyCar Series races held at the track. The Firestone Indy 300 will be held Saturday, October 10th with live coverage provided by VERSUS, the IMS Radio Network and XM Sirius Channel 211.

Dan Wheldon

“It was really good to be back and running up front again, and obviously from the entire Panther Racing team standpoint I feel everybody did an excellent job. The engineering staff made a big change last night for the race and it was very positive and I could see that it made the car very nice to drive today and certainly when catching lapped traffic I was able to make a lot of time up. Unfortunately it was one of those things for us today; we got caught on the yellow flag. But like I said everybody here has put a lot of effort into this weekend and unfortunately they weren’t rewarded. We again showed that we can run with the best.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

“National Guard Driver Hopes to Add to Twin Ring Motegi Victories in 2004-2005″

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

The victory that day was Wheldon’s second consecutive at Motegi, and followed his historic win at the 1.5-mile oval in 2004 – the first in his IndyCar Series career, and the first for engine supplier Honda at their home track.

With the IndyCar Series season winding down, Wheldon currently ranks ninth in the championship chase with this weekend’s race in Japan and the season finale in Homestead on October 10th. Wheldon is currently 17 points away from seventh-place Tony Kanaan, the former series champion from Andretti Green Racing.

The Honda Indy Japan will be broadcast live on Versus at 10:30 p.m. (EST) on Friday evening, with additional coverage provided by IMS Radio and XM Sirius channel 211. The league website IndyCar.com is also providing live streaming of the event online at no cost.

Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

“I always enjoy the trip to Japan, as it’s a very special and memorable place for me. I had my first win at Twin Ring Motegi in 2004, and obviously that was very special because it was the first victory for Honda at their track as well. I have such a great relationship with them, and I was honored to be a part of that moment. As far as the track, it’s one of my favorites and one that I’ve always gone pretty well at. It’s a challenge as far as ovals go and the National Guard Panther Racing car was strong a few weeks ago at Chicagoland and it has been strong here in the past, so we look forward to a good weekend.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

It was only the second DNF for the team this season, dating back to the opening race of the season in St. Petersburg when Wheldon was knocked out of the race following on-track contact with Robert Doornbos. Entering the Chicagoland race weekend, Wheldon and Panther had completed more laps (2,169 of a possible 2,113) than any other driver/team combination in the series.

Wheldon qualified 11th for the race, and slipped back to 16th during the first stint of the race as Panther’s driver struggled with front grip. A new set of Firestone tires and a front wing adjustment injected some life into the team’s No. 4 car, as Wheldon returned to the field in 16th and quickly made a charge to the front. In the next 25 laps Wheldon passed nine cars, including all four Andretti Green Racing cars of Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh, along with additional competitors Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson, Oriol Servia, Raphael Matos and Mario Moraes.

A yellow on Lap 92 for a single-car crash involving Mutoh packed the IndyCar field, and the National Guard team had a flawless pit stop, but as Wheldon went to launch back into pit lane the half-shaft on the No. 4 car broke and left the car lifeless in its pit box.

The IndyCar Series will take a break for the next two weekends before making the trip overseas for the Honda Indy Japan at Twin Ring Motegi.

Dan Wheldon, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

“We lacked a little bit of front wing and were a little bit conservative at the start, but we put the wing back in our first pit stop and then had a great racecar. The car was working really well and once I got back to the front I was just sitting behind Tomas (Scheckter) and Ed (Carpenter) just trying to save as much fuel as possible to open our window a little bit, so we could have a shorter stop to get some track position. But unfortunately when I went to leave the pits I had both drive shafts break, which is something I’ve never had happen before. It’s unfortunate, and one of those things, but we’ll just move on.”

- Panther Racing Press Release

No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

Most recently, Wheldon captured back-to-back victories at the Joliet racetrack in 2005 and again in 2006, when he was fighting for his second consecutive IndyCar Series championship. Wheldon’s victory in 2006 concluded the season with him tied in points with Sam Hornish Jr., but the title went to the Team Penske driver because he had more victories than Wheldon that year.

And it was Hornish who helped Panther secure two of its most thrilling victories in team history at Chicagoland – including the closest 1-2 finish in series history (by 0.0024 over Al Unser Jr. in 2002) and the closest 1-2-3 finish, by 0.0100 over Scott Dixon and Bryan Herta the following year in 2003. Panther also collected a victory in Firestone Indy Lights in 2003 with Mark Taylor, a feat they hope to repeat this weekend with the driver tandem of Martin Plowman and Pippa Mann.

Wheldon’s Helmet Designed by St. Vincent Children’s Hospital Patient

Every year during the Month of May, Panther driver Dan Wheldon visits the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent to visit with children and parents that are patients there. He also holds a contest with the kids, asking them to design a helmet and write a story about themselves. Wheldon selects the most inspiring story and has his helmet painted with the child’s design.

Last year, the young patient Wheldon selected was able to attend the Milwaukee race and watch the IndyCar Series event with Wheldon wearing the helmet that she designed. This year, the nine-year-old cancer patient that Wheldon selected was unable to attend the Milwaukee race due to treatments and he held out hope she could come to this weekend’s event at Chicagoland, but unfortunately, she could not make the trip. Wheldon will wear the uniquely-painted helmet this weekend in her honor.

The Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 will be broadcast live on Versus at 9 p.m. with additional coverage provided by IMS Radio Network and Sirius XM Channel 211.

Dan Wheldon, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda

“Chicago is obviously an exciting track where you can pass, so it should be a really good show for fans of the IndyCar Series. It’s also a track where I’ve gone quite well in the past, and the team has won here multiple times as well. We continue to make strides as a group and we hope to roll off the truck well here this weekend and put the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car in victory lane.”

Target Chip Ganassi Racing Peak Indy 300 Advance Notes

Race: Peak Indy 300, August 29 (9:00 PM ET, Versus)

Track: Chicagoland Speedway (1.5-mile tri-oval)

Location: Joliet, Illinois

NOTES/NEWS

Chip Ganassi on Infineon last weekend: “Dario got max points last weekend and that’s what he needed. Pole, led the most laps, wins the race … both guys [Franchitti and Dixon] now have won four races. That’s a big accomplishment for Team Target. We’re pretty happy with that and we’ll see where we end up in the points.”

TCGR to Date: The team has a series-best eight wins in 14 races this season, with Dixon and Franchitti scoring four victories apiece. The team equaled the eight-win mark for the second time in consecutive seasons, but still has three events remaining in 2009. The TCGR record for wins in a season is 10 from the 19-race 1998 CART season where Alex Zanardi won seven and Jimmy Vasser took three. TCGR also had seven win seasons in 1996 (Vasser, four and Zanardi three) and 1999 (Montoya, seven).

TCGR by the Numbers: The team now boasts 32 wins in the IndyCar Series and 72 overall open wheel wins (CART, IndyCar). In total, Ganassi’s team’s have 113 wins across open wheel, stock car and sports car racing (1990-Present)

Scott Dixon and the No. 9 Target Team

Chicago Rewind: Dixon started from the outside-pole, led 14 laps, and took the checkered flag in the second-position. He has started a total of six races at the track, with four of those being highlighted by a second-place finish. Dixon has also led a total of 79 laps at the tri-oval track.

Dixon on the Stretch Run: “I think between Dario and I we’ve got cars in the Target team that can win all those last three races. That’s the attitude. We have to go out there and try and dominate and hopefully we can win another championship.”

Last Week in Sonoma: Dixon started 10th but had to pit early for a new front wing after an accordion style pileup sent him spinning in turn 2 of the first lap. He and the No.9 Target crew battled back to salvage what was shaping up to be a top-10 result. On the last corner he was turned by Marco Andretti and crossed the stripe 14th. IndyCar Series officials penalized Andretti for avoidable contact with Dixon. Andretti was credited with a 14th place finish and placed behind Ed Carpenter (11th), Dan Wheldon (12th) and Scott Dixon (13th).

Points: 3rd in points with 477, -20 to leader Ryan Briscoe.

Dario Franchitti and the No. 10 LifeLock Team

Dario on the Stretch Run: “Right now we have three oval races to focus on. It’s going to be a challenge. Scott is the reigning champion, I know how good he is and he’s got the same equipment as me. Ryan and the Penske team are going to be tough as well.”

LifeLock Paint Scheme: Franchitti and the No.10 team will run the LifeLock paint scheme in Chicago and Japan.

Wrapping up Road and Street: Dario finishes the road and street portion of the calendar as the only driver in the series to advance to all “Firestone Fast Six” final segments of knockout qualifying.

Last Week in Sonoma: Franchitti swept the points in Sonoma, starting first, leading every lap and winning the race for his fourth win of the season (tied with Dixon for series-best four wins).

Last Time at Chicago: Franchitti’s last race at the 1.5-mile tri-oval was during his memorable championship season in 2007. Dario took the green flag from the pole position, led 10 of the 200 laps, and won the race in the last turn of the last lap to clinch the championship over Dixon. Franchitti has yet to start a race outside of the top-10 at the track, including his 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, where he started in the sixth position.

About Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR)

With 16 wins in the last 31 races, Target Chip Ganassi Racing is the reigning IndyCar Series champion. Chip Ganassi created his own one-car IndyCar team in 1990 and established a partnership with sponsor, Target. Today, Target Chip Ganassi Racing includes two entries in the Indy Racing League for 2008 IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon, and 2007 IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti. Target Chip Ganassi Racing has collected six Championships and 72 wins since 1994 and operates out of a state-of-the-art race shop facility in Indianapolis, Ind., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.

- Target Chip Ganassi Racing Press Release