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IRL, Indy 500: Pennzoil Panther Racing Practice Notes

19 May 1999

Day 4 of practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has Goodyear in his Pennzoil Panther G Force sitting atop the list for today's quick speed at 223.842 mph, 40.207 seconds. Today's practice session started 3 hours late due to the overnight rains but that didn't slow the "Pack" down at all. "Today was still a bit windy out there and conditions weren't great but the guys have done a great job with set-ups that are translating into quick times at the Speedway", said Goodyear. "We've still got quite a bit of work to do and some kinks to iron out before we have the car ready." Goodyear ran a total of 50 laps in the rain shortened session.

Pennzoil Panther Rookie Dave Steele is still learning the quirks of the famed 2 1/2 mile oval and working hard with the #43 crew to find his speed. "Everyone has been great, sharing their insights with me so I can translate those into what I'm feeling in the car. This track is really tough sometimes and I just need to get the feel down", said Steele as he finished today's practice. Steele ran a total of 68 laps with a top speed of 218.983 mph, 41.099 seconds.

Goodyear and Steele started off the morning with an autograph session at the Pennzoil area of the Indy Fan Fest and had flocks of school kids standing in line. They will be available again for a public autograph session on Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the same location.

The new Panther Racing website is getting a workout with 50,000 + hits logged in the first 24 hours of being live. You can join the action by logging on to www.pantherracing.com during practice, qualifying and the race to see live telemetry and get live audio feeds between the crews, drivers and race control. We are putting you in the "heart of the action, the Panther Pit" through this unique partnership with Nortel Networks and Redline Media.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 19th, you get your chance to "ask the driver" during a live on-line chat with Pennzoil Panther Drivers Scott Goodyear and Dave Steele from 6:30-7:00 p.m.. Log on and get your questions answered and learn what it's like to be in the drivers seat at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.