Panther Racing Commits To Chevrolet Engines

Panther Racing is going back to its IZOD IndyCar Series roots as the two-time champions renew their association with Chevrolet.  Along with Team Penske and Andretti Autosport, Panther Racing will compete with the twin-turbocharged Chevy Indy V-6 racing engine beginning in 2012.  

"I just couldn’t be more excited that Chevrolet has decided to return to IndyCar racing and obviously it’s a natural fit for Panther to have Chevrolet powering our cars once again," John Barnes, Panther's managing partner and CEO said.

"We’ve got a long list of race wins and championships together and we’re looking forward to continuing our successful partnership starting in 2012. I take a lot of pride in Panther being an all-American team with the National Guard as a sponsor, JR Hildebrand as our driver and now Chevrolet as our engine supplier. Chevy races to win, and so do we, so we’re ready to get to work and pick up right where we left off."

Panther won its first race with Scott Goodyear in 1999 with GM power and secured the 2001 and 2002 IndyCar Series championships with Sam Hornish Jr at the helm, also driving GM-powered race cars.  In 2005, Panther was the only team still powered by Chevrolet and together they captured a team record three pole positions and victory at Texas Motor Speedway with Tomas Scheckter at the helm.

"Chevrolet and Panther Racing enjoyed tremendous success together in the past, winning races and winning championships, and we look forward to more success in the future," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet US vice president for performance vehicles and motorsports.

"As Chevrolet returns to IndyCar competition in 2012 with an all-new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-6 engine, we're pleased to renew our longstanding relationship with Panther Racing. Both organizations share the same commitment, focus, and dedication to winning."

Panther driver JR Hildebrand, currently in the running for IndyCar Rookie of the Year, became interested in racing as he watched his father John race a vintage Camaro.  Now 23, the driver from Sausalito, CA is the reigning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion.

"I definitely grew up in a Chevy family," Hildebrand recalled.  "My first introduction to racing was my dad's 1968 Camaro, so that was always part of my upbringing.  It's going to be cool to be part of that Chevrolet family now."

© 2011 Anne Proffit