From: Michael Powell 

TAYLOR TO DRIVE SECOND PANTHER RACING ENTRY IN 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 – Panther Racing has named 2003 IRL
Menards Infiniti Pro Series champion Mark Taylor as the driver of the No. 2
Menards/Johns Manville Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone for the 2004 IRL
IndyCarä Series. 

“I am delighted to have been selected to driver for Panther Racing and
Menards/Johns Manville,” Taylor said. “This is a great opportunity for me
and I would like to thank John Menard and everyone at Panther Racing for
making this possible. When the 2003 season started, I wasn’t sure what to
expect in oval racing. As it turns out, it is fantastic racing, a great
product for the fans, and I knew quickly that I wanted my career to lead to
the IndyCar Series.

Taylor’s 2003 championship effort included a record seven wins and nine
top-five finishes over the 12 races on the Menards Infiniti Pro Series
schedule. This represents the second time in the two-year history of the
Menards Infiniti Pro Series for the champion to have graduated up to the
IndyCar Series. AJ Foyt IV made the transition after winning the 2002
championship.

“The Menards Infiniti Pro Series is designed to be the stepping stone
series in the IRL,” said John Menard, co-owner of Panther Racing. “As the
2003 series champion, it is a natural that Mark progress into the IndyCar
Series. It is even more fitting that Mark competes in 2004 with Menards and
Johns Manville colors.” 

Taylor had his initial IndyCar Series testing opportunity with Panther
Racing in the No. 4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone at Texas
Motor Speedway in early October.

“Mark ran a full day of testing for us at Texas Motor Speedway and was
turning very competitive laps almost immediately,” John Barnes, co-owner of
Panther Racing said. “He has proven throughout his career that he knows how
to find victory lane, and we are looking forward to watching him grow into
a solid IndyCar Series competitor.”

Taylor joins teammate Tomas Scheckter at Panther Racing.  Scheckter was
named on Oct. 11 as the driver of the No. 4 Pennzoil Panther Racing
Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone for 2004. 

The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series season begins with the Toyota Indy 300 Feb. 29,
2004 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Menards Infiniti Pro Series season begins Feb. 29, 2004 with the
Homestead-Miami 100 at HMS.


--- Internet Rex 2.29