IRL: Pennzoil Panther Pre Race Notes, Colorado Indy 200

25 August 1999

Scott Goodyear-The Track: "Unfortunately we weren't competitive at the last Pikes Peak race-we had a great race car, we were just at the wrong track. It's been the only race where we had not been competitive for the win all season. We have since tested at Pikes Peak with positive results so we plan on being back in the hunt for a win at the upcoming race."

Scott Goodyear-The Championship: "The series championship is down to a 3 race season now with each race being as important as the next. I think we've got to continue to stay focused, complete races and keep doing what we've been doing all year and not try to reinvent racing. If we can do those things I think we're a contender for the championship."

John Barnes-The Track: "We're looking forward to getting back to Pikes Peak where Panther Racing can avenge itself for it's poor showing there in June. I feel it's the only race all season that we were totally out to lunch."

John Barnes-The Championship: "I've been saying since we took the lead again in June that the championship is ours to lose and that is a fact that hasn't changed."

Chris Wilkes (Pit Board Guy)-The Track: "Pikes Peak is a pretty good track for pit board guys: the wall is pretty high-good debris cover, soft grass for the dives and not too long of a walk from the paddock. Overall, Pikes Peak is a "10" for us pit board guys."

Feature Notes

* Pennzoil Panther Racing Co-owner Gary Pedigo is expanding his sports business into hockey. Pedigo and a group of investors plan to announce their purchase of the Indianapolis Ice along with franchise details and unveil a logo on Wednesday, August 25, 1999.

* Pennzoil Panther Racing Driver Scott Goodyear is planning on taking up kayaking after the recent test at Pikes Peak. Goodyear and the Pack were testing at PPIR the 1st week of August when torrential downpours hit the area so the Pack called off testing for the day. Goodyear started out of the track when he realized that the rains had filled the infield tunnel. "The car had stalled in about 3 feet of water and it was swirling a bit around the doors. But since the rain had stopped I knew the water would recede, so I just figured I would hang out and read the paper," said Goodyear after his crew found him stranded in the tunnel.

* Pennzoil Panther associate sponsor Nortel Networks will be busy this weekend. In addition to hosting 100 guests at PPIR, Nortel will also sponsor the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. Nortel Networks is one of the sponsors of the event that is held to raise funds for cancer research in honor of famed NC State Basketball Coach, Jim Valvano, who succumbed to cancer in 1993. The Pennzoil Panther Racing Show Car will be on display at the tournament.

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