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IRL/WoO: Haudenschild to Test IRL Car With Pennzoil Team

28 November 1998

By Richard Day
Jac Haudenschild

FORT WORTH - Jac Haudenschild's dream of driving an Indycar will come true December 3-4 when the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series star enters a test session at Texas Motor Speedway with the Pennzoil Panther Racing Team.

"It's been a dream of mine to drive an Indycar for a long time," Haudenschild said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Haudenschild overcame a mid-season shoulder injury and put together a career year with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series in 1998, winning 11 main events and four Preliminary Features. Despite missing three races, he recorded 47 top-10 finishes - including 34 in the top five - and ranked seventh in the point standings. It was the seventh straight year Haudenschild finished in the top 10 with the premier sprint car racing series.

"This is wonderful," said Jack Elden, who owns the #22 Maxim Haudenschild drives in Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series competition. "Jac is a great driver and I wish him the best. This is a great opportunity for him."

Tom Floyd, Pennzoil's chief marketing officer, announced during the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series Awards Banquet that future series champions will be invited to test Indycars with the Pennzoil Panther Racing Team.

"Panther Racing is excited to be a part of this driver development initiative and to give new drivers an opportunity to get experience in an Indy Racing League car," Team Manager John Barnes said.

Barnes co-owns Panther Racing with Jim Harbaugh, Terry Lingner, Gary Pedigo, Doug Boles, Randy Fishman and Mike Griffin. Scott Goodyear drove the Pennzoil G Force/Aurora into seventh place in the IRL point standings last season.

Tony Elliott, Jay Drake and Ricky Shelton of the United States Auto Club (USAC) will also participate in the test session.

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