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Matos, Antinucci Collide in Early AM Warm-Up at Mid-Ohio

Points Leader and Contender Bring Session to a Close with Crash

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Just when you thought the Indy Lights Series championship race couldn't get any tighter, fate stepped in this morning at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to twist the thumbscrews just a little bit more.

Firestone Firehawk Cup points leader Raphael Matos poked the nose of the No. 27 car beneath the red and white No. 7 of Richard Antinucci as the pair entered the 90 degree right-hander at the end of the backstretch on the 2.258 mile road course at approximately 8:05 AM, bringing contact that knocked the left front suspension of Matos' car askew and sent both racers into the kitty litter at the outside of the turn.

Both drivers emerged from their race cars uninjured, and a civil discussion of the do's and don'ts of warmup practice ensued.

Antinucci's car looked essentially intact; however, the right front wing was broken from the front of the No. 27 car in addition to the suspension damage sustained.

The practice session was checkered after the incident with only a few minutes remaining.

Matos leads the series by three points over Antinucci, having overtaken the latter for the top spot in the standings Saturday (July 19th).

Matos and Antinucci stood on second and third for the session when the incident occurred. Team Moore's Pablo Donoso had the fastest clocking, with Guthrie Racing's Logan Gomez and Brian Stewart Racing's Mitch Cunningham fourth and fifth at the close.

The second Mid-Ohio 100 race is scheduled to begin at 10:35 AM.

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Firestone Indy Lights Mid-Ohio Warm-Up Results

Prendeville, Hildebrand Fast; Hall Stalled at Upstate New York Trials

Brit Scuttled for Watkins Glen Debut

by Linda K Mansfield
lindakmansfield@cs.com

Andrew Prendeville and J.R. Hildebrand had a successful test day with their Firestone Indy Lights cars yesterday at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, N.Y. as the RLR/Andersen Racing team prepared for a doubleheader to be held there July 5th.

Unfortunately another one of the Palmetto, Fla.-based team's drivers, Charles Hall, only got a handful of laps of testing in on Wednesday due to mechanical problems with a car the team leased from another team. Without that valuable seat time, Hall and the teams jointly decided to postpone his Firestone Indy Lights debut for now.

Hall, of Sheffield, England, is the current point leader in the Star Madza Championship presented by Goodyear.

"We struggled all day with Charles's car, so we've withdrawn his entry in the Watkins Glen doubleheader," said team co-owner John Andersen. "Other competitors in the paddock did everything they could to try to help us in a variety of ways, and the people from Speedway Engines went above and beyond in their efforts. We had fuel pressure and electrical problems, and we just couldn't get it sorted out in time to give Charles enough laps. His Firestone Indy Lights debut is postponed for now, but we all expect that it'll happen sometime before the end of the year. In the meantime, his focus remains the Star Mazda Championship."

Andersen said he was very happy with the progress made during the test with the team's other two cars. Prendeville drives the Best Friends Animal Society No. 5, while Hildebrand is at the controls of the Allied Interior Products No. 25.

The July 5 Firestone Indy Lights doubleheader at Watkins Glen will mark the first time in that series' history when two races are held on the same day.

Indy Lights Racers Swarm Brickyard Oval

Timing and Scoring Puts Points Leader Hildebrand on Top

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

RLR Andersen’s J R Hildebrand. Photo: TonyDiZinno

RLR Andersen Racing's J R Hildebrand posted the fastest lap in early morning practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday ahead of Friday's Carb Day Firestone Freedom 100.

The silver and black No. 25 car ran to a field's-best speed of 191.575 miles per hour around the 2.5 mile oval, over half a mile faster than the nearest competitor.

Sam Schmidt's James Davison continued on the rise with the second-quickest tour of the Speedway on 190.950 mph; while Bobby Wilson in the No. 17 Team-E Dallara was third with a best lap of 190.355 miles per hour.

Eight drivers turned laps greater than 190 miles per hour in the forty-five minute session which began at 9 AM EDT, under a bright sunny sky with temperatures in the mid-sixties Fahrenheit.

The only incident in the period was a spin into the grass by Brian Stewart Racing's Marc Williams in the No. 3 car. Neither machine nor driver suffered consequences from the mishap.

New Zealand's Jonny Reid made his oval-track debut this morning. His best lap was 187.186 mph in his maiden experience with the Brickyard.

Practice resumes at 11 AM EDT for a second forty-five minute session before qualifying today at 1 PM EDT.

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Firestone Indy Lights Freedom 100 Practice Session One

Four Recent Indy Lights Grads Aim for ‘500’ Glory

Camara, Howard, Lloyd and Mutoh Launch Month of May

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Four of the stars of the Firestone Indy Lights Series make their Indianapolis 500 debut today as Rookie Orientation commences at the Brickyard.

Roth Racing’s Jay Howard, Conquest’s Jaime Camara, Andretti Green’s Hideki Mutoh and Ganassi Racing’s Alex Lloyd (competing in a novel Rahal Letterman Racing collaboration with TCGR) will travel the 2.5 mile super-speedway at Indy as they chase a qualifying position for the 92nd Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

All will participate in the ROP: a five mile-per-hour increment ladder from 195 mph to over 210 mph that earns them the privilege of traversing the fabled circuit with veteran drivers practicing for the Memorial Day race.

Alex Lloyd Leads Fast Group of Learners at the Brickyard

Alex Lloyd, the 2007 Indy Pro Series champ, finds himself the darkhorse favorite among the group despite his absence from regular-season IndyCar Series competition in 2008.

The Indianapolis resident is well-familiar with the circuit, winning on both the road course and the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006 and 2007 respectively, the only driver in Speedway history to accomplish the feat.

"I am really looking forward to tackling the Indianapolis Motorspeedway in an IndyCar," Lloyd said. "I have been fortunate enough to win on the famed oval, so for me Indy is the ultimate."

"ROP is a great opportunity for me to get up to speed and learn about the car and get comfortable before the real action starts on opening day. My expectations are high and I have been waiting for this day for a long time."

Jay Howard won the 2006 IPS championship on his way to the Roth Racing No. 24 entry he’ll pilot around the big oval on Sunday (May 4th). He’s been impressive, running mid-pack in his rookie season in the big cars.

AGR rookie Hideki Mutoh proved himself fast in the developmental series leading to IndyCar and hasn’t let up on the accelerator since moving into the big leagues.

He set fastest lap in his first IndyCar start (for Panther Racing at Chicagoland Speedway in September, 2007) and recorded a top-ten finish.

Conquest Racing owner Eric Bachelart made no hesitation in hiring Jaime Camara with the loss of sponsor Opes Prime and driver Franck Perera in April.

"It's going to be an amazing feeling to drive an Indycar here since it's always been my goal," said Camara.

"This is the biggest race in the world, and it's such a different vibe. Every time I come to this track I look around and it's just different, the energy is so good and it makes you even more excited for the race."

Jaime has more experience on the Indy 500 circuit than any of the thirteen drivers (save Oriol Servia) who’ll join him for ROP today. He also won here in 2005, driving to victory in the Firestone Freedom 100 that marks the high point of the year for the Indy Lights Series’ drivers.

All four will compete not only for a starting spot on May 25th, but (if they qualify) for the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award won one year ago by Phil Giebler in the Playa del Racing entry.

Indy Lights Racers Storm to Fast Start at Kansas Speedway

Saturday Practice for Round 4 of 16 Complete at Kansas

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk Jr. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

Raphael Matos motored to the fastest lap in practice for Sunday’s (April 27th) Kansas Lottery 100, besting teammate Arie Luyendyk Jr for the provisional pole.

Matos’ best lap came late in the day when he posted a speed of 190.432 mph (28.7346 sec), the only racer to top the 190 mph mark on Saturday.

“We were able to run around a lot of people and did a qualifying simulation in the end,” he said afterwards. “We’re pretty happy with the car. I think we’ll be quick enough for pole.”

Immediately behind came Luyendyk in the No. 26 AFS Andretti Green Racing Dallara with a best lap of 189.543 mph (28.8695 sec).

“It’s not easy to drive out there,” he said of the packs of cars charging around the 1.5 mile oval. “We should be fast in qualifying.”

The performance was sufficiently dominating to promote some early forecast of what kind of race tactics the pair might have up their sleeves. Might they find a way to draft and push that proves beneficial on Sunday?

“If that situation comes about, we’ll always help each other,” said Arie. “We didn’t get to do that in Homestead. We didn’t see each other too much. Hopefully we can work together this weekend to push to the front.”

Beatriz Fastest in Morning Session

Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Ana (Bia) Beatriz was third-quick at the end of the day with a lap of 189.387 mph (28.8932 sec).

Bia was also fastest in the early morning session as well.

RLR Andersen Racing’s J R Hildebrand (189.333 mph in the morning session) and Beatriz’ teammate Jim Davison (189.017 mph) round out the top five.

"I'm pretty happy with the car," said Hildebrand. "A car has to be good on its own and in a draft, and it was in that session."

"It's a little bit of a handful, but it's definitely fast."

"It's a handful, but it's fast!" says RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand of racecar

The temperatures were on the cool side in and around Kansas City with a high of 61 degrees Fahrenheit under sunny skies at Kansas Speedway.

Marc Williams of Integra Motorsports withdrew from the practice, qualifications and race this weekend for unspecified reasons.

Rookie Mark Olson spun in the early morning practice without damage to self or the No. 8 Michael Crawford Motorsports machine.

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Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session One Results

Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session Two Results

Kansas Lottery 100 Beckons Large Indy Lights Field

Twenty-Five Cars and Drivers Wait in the Paddock

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Twenty-five cars and drivers await the opening of Firestone Indy Lights practice to contest for spots on the starting grid of Sunday’s (April 27th) Kansas Lottery 100 at Kansas Speedway.

As if it weren’t hard enough to win a race in this league, three proven oval-winners have returned to the field.

Resuming driving duties aboard the Team Moore X-Trac Dallara is Jeff Simmons, an IndyCar Series veteran and previous multiple-time winner in the 2005 Indy Lights season.

He’s joined by Wade Cunningham aboard the Brian Stewart Racing No. 33 car and Robbie Pecorari, winner of the 2007 Nashville 100, in a Guthrie Racing machine. Both drivers are making their first appearance in the 2008 Indy Lights campaign.

Thrills a Staple of Kansas Speedway Racing

Kansas Speedway hosted the first Firestone Indy Lights race in history on July 7, 2002. A J Foyt IV took the victory over the newly-opened racecourse.

The Indy Lights have not raced on the 1.5 mile oval outside Kansas City since 2004, when pole-sitter Thiago Medeiros reigned as champion.

The event has served as a bellwether in the past: all three winners from 2002 to 2004 went on to win the Firestone Firehawk Cup.

Kansas Speedway CEO Jeff Boerger was approached by the series in the pre-season about a return to the venue.

“We've become known as one of most competitive tracks out there,” he said, “and have had one of the closest finishes.”

“In fact, in our inaugural season (2002), the series ran here and it was three wide going down the front stretch for the finish—one of the closest finishes in the history of motor sports.”

“We’re excited to have Indy Lights back. It gives added value to our fans,” he continued. “It is great for our fans.”

Competition Heats Up in Round Four of Title Chase

AFS Andretti Green Racing’s Raphael Matos goes into the Kansas Lottery 100 second in championship points to Sam Schmidt’s Richard Antinucci.

He’ll look to capitalize on his growing oval-track confidence and challenge for a win on Sunday.

"This is my first race at Kansas and I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “We were very quick at Homestead all weekend and Kansas is a track that's similar to Homestead.”

“Each time I get into the car on an oval, I'm learning and improving. I need to take advantage of all the practice time we have at Kansas.”

AFS/AGR teammate Arie Luyendyk, Jr sees the race as a challenging bit of fun.

“It's going to be really close racing,” said Arie. “We saw in Homestead the cars were pretty difficult to drive, but I think Kansas is a place that will bring all of the guys together.”

“The track is similar to Chicago,” he said, “and I think it's just going to really make it interesting for the fans to watch.”

“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

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TV Coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100:

• Indy Lights Series: Race: ESPN2 (tape-delay), 2:00 PM EDT, May 1st
• Talent: Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl (announcers); Mike King (pit reporter)
• Live streaming video coverage of Indy Lights Pole Qualifying (9 AM EDT April 26th) and the Indy Lights Series Kansas Lottery 100 (12:45 PM EDT April 27th) is available at www.indycar.com

Track Schedule at Kansas Speedway (all times local; subject to change):

Saturday, April 26th

• 6:30 AM – Firestone Indy Lights Garages open


• 10:30-11:15 PM – Firestone Indy Lights practice


• 3:45-4:35 PM – Firestone Indy Lights practice

Sunday, April 27th

• 7 AM – Firestone Indy Lights Garages open


• 9-10 AM – SWE Firestone Indy Lights Pole Qualifying


• 12:45 PM – Kansas Lottery 100 (67 laps/100 miles)

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Kansas Lottery 100 Entry List

Indy Lights' Arie Luyendyk Jr Moves to Two Beats

Spinning Around the World with Indy Lights and A1GP

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk, Jr. Photo: JimHainesIRL

AFS Andretti Green's Arie Luyendyk, Jr moves to the beat of two distinctly different racing sirens: the Firestone Indy Lights Series in the United States, and the sun-loving A1GP World Cup of Motorsport that circles the globe.

Back in America for this weekend's Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100, the twenty-six year old racer looks to become the first winner at Kansas Speedway since the series last visited the Sunflower State in 2004.

His season has started with a great run at Homestead Miami Speedway where he finished fourth on the oval; followed by a sixth place result in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race one on April 5th.

A start this weekend would make his fiftieth, the longest tenure of any Indy Lights driver. His consistency in the series permits him a long-term view of a fast-changing sport.

The changes to the Indy Lights are significant, beginning with the machinery.

"The mono shock (suspension, replaced in 2006)," Arie said, "was difficult. It was difficult to adjust, especially on the ovals. It was a good move to go to a dual shock car."

"IndyCar Series cars are a dual shock, traditional race car. Learning how to adjust the mono setup was not really beneficial."

"The extra downforce (a change introduced in 2007) is good for the short ovals," he continued. "It balances the car better."

Kansas Returns as a FireCracker Event on the Schedule

Kansas Speedway historically produces crackerjack racing, with multiple-car wide charges and close finishes that delight fans and bring them to their feet.

"I think Kansas is a place that will bring all of the drivers together," in packs of cars, Arie said.

"It's similar to Chicago, and it's going to make it interesting for the fans to watch," he continued.

"A lot of cars are going to be running really close together. I think it's going to be really important to qualify well and have a car that will run anywhere on the racetrack--in the high or low groove."

Luyendyk, Jr also cites a higher level of competition as being a hallmark of the Indy Lights series over the last several years.

"The competition level has definitely stepped up," from the series inaugural season of 2002.

"You have a lot of guys trying to get to IndyCar," he said. "It seems to be the best route, perhaps the only route, as far as a development series is concerned."

"We have a really solid field of 22 to 24 cars consistently now, and that makes the racing much more fun."

Luyendyk Developing Worldly Perspective to Racing Genres

Racing in A1GP has given Arie both an opportunity to showcase his considerable skills behind the wheel and pick up on new technologies that have not yet reached the Indy Lights.

"Hopefully we'll soon get shift paddles in the car," he said. "I'm accustomed to driving with that in A1GP and I think it's a great tool for the driver. Now that the IndyCars have them, I think we should go to that too--next year if possible."

"I would like to see the no-lift shifting back. That's something they had in the car and they took away from us, and I really liked that."

"It's interesting how they do starts in A1GP," he added. "They have one race that's standing start and one race that's rolling start. I think for street courses, just to mix it up, we should try that."

Throwing Down the Gauntlet to the World's Best Open-Wheelers

Arie will rejoin A1 Team Netherlands in a week to contest the season-ending Brands Hatch A1GP event at Kent, UK.

"Having 22 to 24 cars makes the racing more fun," says Arie Luyendyk, Jr

Several of Arie's A1GP peers have expressed curiosity to him about Indy Lights.

"I saw a few walking around in St. Petersburg. Jonathan Summerton, who won the Shanghai A1GP race, was there."

"Guys are really interested in the series," Arie continued. "The Euro and the Pound are high now (versus the dollar), so I wouldn't be too surprised if some guys make their appearances."

"That just makes the series better, makes it stronger."

And, "I'm sure if they did, we would have something for them."

Indy Lights Racer Revving Up Ahead of Important Kansas Clash

PetStops and PitStops Keep Andrew Prendeville’s Motor Racing

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

RLR Andersen's Andrew Prendeville. Photo: AllanBrewer

RLR Andersen Racing’s Andrew Prendeville keeps his love of animals and passion for racing close at hand as he moves from track to track with the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights season.

When the twenty-six year old Las Vegas resident takes the Kansas Speedway track for the Kansas Lottery 100 on Sunday (April 27th) it will mark another step forward in his career and his caring.

Racing Laps for Best Friends, the animal welfare campaign Andrew launched in his rookie season, has been a big hit with race fans and pet-lovers everywhere.

The effort took in over $50,000 in its initial year of operation in 2007.

“The program is going really well,” Prendeville said. “We raised $7000 for Racing Laps for Best Friends at Homestead alone.”

Pay Per Lap Program Supports Animal Welfare Nationwide

Fans pledge a monetary gift from 25 cents to a dollar or more for Racing Laps for Best Friends with every race lap Andrew completes. The pledge can be for as little as one race and is tax deductible.

Prendeville has backed up his commitment to the Utah-based Best Friends animal welfare organization and its partner organizations with more than just money. Through personal appearances Andrew’s donated substantial time to help out the cause.

He’ll appear at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City Wednesday (April 23rd) afternoon at 4PM CDT to sign autographs for two hours and talk about Racing Laps for Best Friends. The event is free to the public and includes a tour of the facility.

The program allows Prendeville to meld his love of animals (fostered in no small part by his affection for his adopted ‘Ballsy’) with his past experience as a racecar driver instructor.

“We have a 3-Day Bertil Roos Racing School prize to the winner of the Racing Laps for Best Friends raffle,” he said.

The second- and third-place prizes in the raffle are also Bertil Roos racing schools of shorter duration.

Impressive Open Test Sets Tone for Spring Tour

Andrew finished a disappointing twentieth after getting off to a fast start in his last race (St. Petersburg race two on April 7th).

A collision sent him to the garages on Lap 22 of the street course after he moved into the top five from seventh spot on the grid.

He bounced back with an impressive Indianapolis Open Test one week later.

”We’re in great shape for May,” at the Speedway says Andrew Prendeville

Prendeville and teammate J R Hildebrand were second and third on the timesheets at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, right behind AFS Andretti Green Racing’s Raphael Matos.

“The test went really well,” Andrew said. “We had a good day as a team, and it should put us in great shape for racing at the Speedway in May,” in the Firestone Freedom 100 (May 23rd).

Kansas Lottery 100 Points Key to 2008 Success

Prendeville is tied for eighth in championship points going into this weekend’s 100-mile race at Kansas Speedway.

He finished his 2007 rookie campaign for the Firestone Firehawk Cup with an eleventh-place result.

The Sunday afternoon Kansas Lottery 100 start will give him a chance to get back into the fight at the top of the standings alongside Hildebrand (currently fourth).

It’s the series’ first return to Kansas City since the 2004 season. The race was won by eventual year-end champion Thiago Medeiros.

Sponsor The Kansas Lottery is making Kansas Speedway admission available free to the public on Friday, April 25th.

Matos, Antinucci, Beatriz Set the Front of St. Pete Grid

Indy Lights Points Leader Battistini Knocked Off Form by Collision

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Rafa and AFS AGR crew celebrate pole. Photo: ChrisJonesIRL

Only three seconds separate twenty cars on the Firestone Indy Lights Grand Prix of St. Petersburg grid.

It's still another second forward, however, to find the top three qualifiers from this morning's thirty minute European-style session.

AFS Andretti Green's Raphael Matos earned the pole for the first of two races here in coastal northwest Florida.

He was followed by Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammates Richard Antinucci and Ana Beatriz in second and third on the timing and scoring board.

Matos time of 1:06.4669 (97.492 mph) bettered by half a second the time posted by the Brazilian in 2006 when he won pole and both races of the Indy Lights double-header.

Antinucci's 1:06.7318 (97.105 mph) set himself and Matos apart from Beatriz on 1:07.5217 (95.969 mph).

Bobby Wilson, Jeff Simmons and J R Hildebrand filled the remainder of the first three rows of cars that will roll off at 4:45 PM EDT today.

Panther Taken Down by Davison's Charge

Panther Racing's Dillon Battistini, winner of the race at Homestead seven days ago, was struck from the rear by SSM's James Davison near mid-point of the session.

Battistini suffered significant damage to the right rear and left front of the Dallara.

He ended the qualifying segment on twelfth-best.

Stewards ruled Battistini contributed to the accident, and he was penalized three positions to fifteenth.

Davison qualified seventh.

Guthrie Racing's Sean Guthrie finished nineteenth-quick.

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Firestone Indy Lights Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Qualifying Results

Panther Racing Signs Dillon Battistini to Indy Pro Series Team

2007 Asian Formula 3 Champion to Drive the Team’s No. 15 Pro Series Entry

by Mike Kitchel
kitch@pantherracing.com

Panther Racing’s Dillon Battistini. Photo: Panther Racing

Panther Racing announced today it has signed British driver Dillon Battistini to pilot a second entry for the team’s Indy Pro Series program. Battistini, the defending Asian Formula 3 champion, will join current Panther IPS driver Brent Sherman to solidify the team’s 2008 lineup.

“I’ve really liked Dillon from the first time I met him, and he possesses a lot of qualities you look for in a good driver,” Panther team owner John Barnes said. “Obviously, he’s fast and knows how to get around a racetrack, but he’s also a humble guy, very well-spoken and respectful. We feel like he’s going to fit right in with Panther’s Indy Pro Series program and with his teammate Brent Sherman. We had plenty of options with drivers that could have run a second car for us, but I didn’t want to do it unless we found the right guy, and Dillon is the perfect fit for Panther Racing.”

Brit Passes Rookie Test at Homestead Last Week

Battistini recently passed his Indy Pro Series rookie test with Panther during a one-day test at Homestead-Miami Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval, sight of this weekend’s season opener. Prior to meeting Panther officials, Dillon tested with Champ Car’s Minardi Team USA. He will drive Panther’s No. 15 Indy Pro Series entry.

“I’m extremely happy to join Panther, the guys here have treated me like family and I feel like I’m at home already,” Battistini said. “Right now I’m at the start of a big learning curve because I’ve joined the team so late and there is a lot to catch up on, but there couldn’t be a better team to work with right now.”

Financial support for Battistini’s effort is coming from a number of personal backers, including AlexP, a high-quality automotive photographic and image management company with a client list that includes many major manufacturers.

Multi-Car Team is a First for Panther Racing Team

This is the first time Panther has run multiple IPS entries entering a season, and Dillon’s performance during his recent oval test has left expectations of team officials extremely high.

“On the track, it was fun driving an oval for the first time and the speeds are higher than anything I’ve ever driven before,” Dillon admitted. “The car felt a bit strange at first because of the camber setup, but after just a few laps everything came to me really quickly and I was comfortable in the car. I’m excited to get back to Homestead this week and prepare for my first race with the team.”

Panther won the 2003 Indy Pro Series championship with British race driver Mark Taylor and followed a three-year hiatus from the developmental series with a runner-up result in the championship last season with Hideki Mutoh. The team has won a total of nine races in two years of competition, and has finished with 15 podium and 20 Top Five finishes in its 27 starts.

Impressive Maiden Run by Battistini Turns Heads

Henri Durand, Panther’s Technical Director and a veteran of 20-plus years in Formula One, has been impressed by how quickly Battistini has adjusted to his Indy Pro Series car.

“Dillon is acclimating himself very quickly to the nature of oval racing and the particulars of the Indy Pro Series car,” Durand said. “He has shown us, early on, that he has the consistency and the ability to judge and analyze every situation and transmit the right message to engineers to make sure he maximizes his performance. It’s early, but it’s safe to say we are extremely encouraged by his start.”

The Indy Pro Series season opens this Saturday, March 29th at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a track where Panther has won two IndyCar Series events and the 2003 Indy Pro Series race.