Pennzoil to Sponsor Scott Goodyear's 1998 IRL Effort
28 October 1997
PENNZOIL BACKS NEW IRL TEAM, SCOTT GOODYEAR FOR 1998 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HOUSTON, October 28,1997 -- Pennzoil Products Company formally announced today that it has signed a two-year agreement to sponsor veteran driver Scott Goodyear and the newly formed Panther Racing team for the 1998 and 1999 Indy Racing League (IRL) seasons. The 37-year old Goodyear will run his first race with Pennzoil in January 1998 at the Walt Disney 200 in Orlando. The Panther team will field a 1998 G-Force chassis powered by an Oldsmobile Aurora engine.Scott Goodyear Thomas E. Floyd, Pennzoil's chief marketing officer said, "Pennzoil's goal in 1998 is to take its racing program to new heights, and one of the best ways we know of accomplishing this is to associate ourselves with a talented new team and a proven winner like Scott Goodyear. With this combination, we expect to see the yellow car in victory lane very soon." The Indianapolis-based team is owned by businessman Gary Pedigo, television executive Terry Lingner, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh, longtime Indy Car crew chief John Barnes, former Indianapolis mayoral assistant Doug Boles and long-time radio personality Mike Griffin. "We expect to win races, nothing less," said Barnes. "We will give Scott the best car we can. If we live up to our part of the bargain, and Scott drives like we know he can, then I certainly believe we will be a contender at Indianapolis, as well as the team to beat for the series championship." Goodyear began competing in the IRL with the Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 1997. Since then, he has compiled five top-four finishes in eight starts, including his second runner-up finish in the Indianapolis 500. He finished second at Indy in 1992 by 0.043 of a second, which stands as the closest finish ever at the Brickyard. Goodyear also owns two career 500-mile lndy Car victories, both at Michigan Speedway, in 1992 and 1994. Obviously, he'd like to add a first-place finish at Indianapolis to his resume. "It's very exciting to be part of the new Pennzoil Panther IRL team," Goodyear said. "I'm looking forward to working with John Barnes and the new team to address some unfinished business at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We're confident that this new formula can put the Pennzoil car back in Victory Lane in 1998." Goodyear joins Pennzoil's 1998 driver lineup that includes rookie Steve Park in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, first-year winner Tony Raines in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the legendary Eddie Hill in top fuel competition in the NHRA, and World of Outlaws star Jac "The Wild Child" Haudenschild, plus many other drivers in series across the nation. Pennzoil is one of America's biggest supporters of motorsports, serving as the series sponsor of the Pennzoil World of Outlaws and as the official motor oil of the Indy Racing League, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Brickyard 400 and New Hampshire International Speedway. SCOTT GOODYEAR Date of Birth: 12/20/59 Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Residence: Indianapolis, Ind. Marital Status: Married, wife Leslie Children: Christopher, Michael, and Hayley * Goodyear has two career victories in Indy Car competition, both coming at Michigan Speedway. He claimed the Marlboro 500 in 1992, and then won another 500-mile event at Michigan in 1994. * Goodyear has made seven appearances in the Indianapolis 500, with his first coming in 1990. He has earned four top 10 finishes, including two seconds. Goodyear was involved in the closest finish in Indy 500 history in 1992, trailing Al Unser, Jr., at the line by just .043 of a second, and the third closest finish ever in 1997, when he followed teammate Arie Luyendyke across the line by only .57 of a second. * In eight career IRL starts, Goodyear has five top four and six top 10 finishes. He has qualified five times in the top five, and has never qualified worse than eighth. * Goodyear finished fifth in the 1996-97 IRL driver standings, despite not joining the series until its third race. * Started in the front row and led 42 laps during the 1995 Indy 500. * Ran full CART PPG Cup circuits from 1990 through 1994, grabbing two pole positions in 1993, one at Phoenix and the other at Vancouver. * Won the Rothman's Porsche Turbo Cup championship in 1988. * Began his Indy Car career at Meadowlands in 1987, making a total of seven starts that year. * Won North American Formula Atlantic championship in 1986 * Named Canadian Race Drivers Association Driver of the Year in 1986. CONTACT: Carolyn Magnuson (713) 546-8535 or Al Larsen, Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5267 or al_larsen@cohnwolfe.com
