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IRL: Pennzoil Panther Racing Panther "Pack" Orlando Open Test Notes

13 December 1998

* Friday Morning Session -- Scott Goodyear took the track this morning and put in the hot lap for the morning practice session with a time of 21.461 seconds and an average speed of 167.746.

* The Panther Pack closed the afternoon session with 135 laps on the track and a fast time in the afternoon of 21.566 for a speed of 166.929. Panther's new engineer, Andy Brown, Scott Goodyear and the "Pack" got the opportunity to make several long runs and test various race set-ups for speed and handling.

"Things seem to be coming together for the team and if today's test is an indication, Pennzoil Panther Racing should be ready for a great race here January" said team co-owner John Barnes. The team will be testing again tomorrow beginning at 9:00 a.m..

* The following teams are testing at Orlando: Team Menard, Greg Ray; Kelley Racing, Scott Sharp and Mark Dismore; Bradley Motorsports, Buzz Calkins; Riley & Scott, Andy Michner; Metro Racing, Stan Wattles; Blue Print/Emmke, Tyce Carlson; McCormack Racing, Raul Boesel; Sinden Racing, Dave Steele (Friday) and Mike Bliss (Saturday); Team Cheever, Eddie Cheever jr. and Robby Unser; Harrington Racing, Scott Harrington; Treadway Racing, Sam Schmidt.

* Scott Goodyear got the word out early about the test and race in his interview with "Crash & Dickerman" on Orlando's rock station WJRR Wednesday morning. The morning show duo than got an "on track" view when they joined Scott, Dave Steele and IRL driver Greg Ray live, on the air, Friday morning from a pace car at the WDW.

* The Orlando Test is the first opportunity for Goodyear and new Panther engineer, Andy Brown to work together. Both are looking forward to the opportunity to establish a rapport that will hopefully put Goodyear and Panther in victory lane in '99.

* While half the Panther "Pack" is in Orlando, the rest of the "Pack" is in Indianapolis busy preparing the update kit that will get its first run during the Goodyear Tire Test in Phoenix next week.

* Dave Steele, who raced for Panther at Texas II and Las Vegas, drove some shadedown laps Friday in the SRS/AMS entry. Steele will join Goodyear and Panther in Phoenix for the Goodyear Tire Test. Steele is eager to continue gaining seat-time after his rookie IRL season in '98.

* The "Pack" is excited to be testing in Orlando, home of associate sponsor, Hard Rock Beer and Cafe.