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IRL, Indy 500: Pennzoil Panther Racing Forms Association with Tyce Carlson and Blueprint-Immke

24 May 1999

INDIANAPOLIS-Pennzoil Panther Racing team owners announced today that Tyce Carlson will join the "Panther Pack" for the 83rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Panther Racing had hoped to run rookie Dave Steele who is still suffering from back and chest strain due to an accident earlier in the week.

Carlson remains in car #20, which qualified Saturday in fifteenth spot on the 500 grid. Beginning Carbureation Day, Carlson's car will sport Pennzoil yellow and Pennzoil decals along with Blueprint's current sponsors Bluegreen and Damon's

"We welcome Tyce and his team to the Panther Pack," said team owner John Barnes. "We've been watching Dave Steele's physical progress since Wednesday's incident, and by Friday afternoon it was pretty evident he wouldn't be able to race in this year's Indy 500."

Panther team owners and sponsors were obviously very pleased with Carlson's qualifying speed and placement, which solidified the deal already in progress.

"We were able to iron out all details this morning," said Barnes, "and we feel this will be a great partnership for both teams. We bring some additional strength and experience to the Blueprint-Immke team, and they bring us an exceptional car and driver. We'll blend together some of the personnel from the Pennzoil car #43 team with Carlson's team and end up with a very competitive car to field next Sunday."

"When running the Indy 500, the mantra is to expect anything," said Blueprint-Immke team owner Jim Immke. "We certainly didn't anticipate this on day one of practice, but are excited about this opportunity and the possibilities that lie ahead. Combining of teams is going to put the strength needed to win behind Tyce. We're hoping for great things on Race Day."

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