From: Michael Powell 

Panther Racing to Field Second Car in 2004

John Menard Joins Panther Racing LLC as a Partner

Indianapolis – Panther Racing, the winningest team in the Indy Racing
League IndyCar™ Series, announced today that it will field a second car
during the 2004 season and that Wisconsin businessman John Menard, whose
IndyCar™ teams have earned more poles and led more laps than any team in
Indy Racing League history, has been added as a partner in Panther Racing
LLC.

“John Menard and Panther Racing have been long-time IRL supporters and we
have shared a lot of common interests over the last few years –
particularly our relationship with General Motors and Chevrolet,” said
Panther Racing co-owner and President John Barnes.  “As we enter the 2004
season, we believe we will provide our sponsors and suppliers a much
stronger force on the track having John Menard as part of the Panther
Racing family.”

Menard, whose involvement in American open-wheel racing dates back to the
early 1980s, will merge his Indianapolis-based Team Menard IndyCar™ team
with Panther Racing for the 2004 season.

“The Panther Racing merger and our Menard store’s new partnership with the
Menard’s Infiniti Series will continue our tradition and participation in
the Indy Racing League’s great American sport of open-wheel racing,” said
Menard.

Panther Racing will make an announcement about the sponsors and the driver
for the second entry in the near future.  Panther Racing has already
announced it will field the Pennzoil Panther Racing Chevrolet in 2004 for
driver Tomas Scheckter.

Panther Racing LLC and John Menard Combined:

IRL Championships:   4 (Panther Racing – 2001 & 2002; Menard – 1997 & 1999)

IRL Wins:   24 (Panther Racing – 14; Menard – 10) (27% of all IRL races)

IRL Poles:  29 (Menard – 25; Panther – 4)                        

IRL Laps Led:   5,470 (Menard – 3,045; Panther – 2,425)



--- Internet Rex 2.29