Panther Racing

[skye]

Is National Guard the sponsor for 2014? To preface, I don't care what country a driver is from. A few of my favorites are NOT Americans. I really like both Briscoe & Servia. I think both are underrated. However, if there was a seat for an American, this would be it. Is Panther not interested in going after an American to fill the seat? Newgarden is signed with SFHM, so he's not going anywhere. RHR is also under contract. Ed Carpenter won't be an option for obvious reasons. What about Rahal or Andretti? I believe both are free agents. It makes sense to have either one - young, big name, American. The way Rahal is driving this year isn't doing much for his credibility, but Marco may not be a bad idea. He's been fast all year, practice, racing, and testing. I will be very surprised if he doesn't win by the end of this season.

[spanny]

Graham is locked up for next year, and I dont see Marco leaving AA anytime soon (if at all)

[jkeener24]

Unless they're prepared to drop a HUGE paycheck (ha ha), I don't see any incentive for Rahal or Andretti to move there. Literally none.

[KevinNeely]

The only people hung up about having an American drive the National Guard car are the fans. I think NG only wants someone who is a good ambassador for their cause. Dan Wheldon was excellent at that.

[castronevesfan3]

I would say put Briscoe in that car. Marco Andretti won't become a free agent because his name is Andretti you know.

[Z28]

I don't think much is known about the length of any contract for any sponsor or team. They could all have 'outs' or options.
You'll hear a chorus of Indycar fans who feel that the nationality of the driver in the National Guard car doesn't matter to them.


It may well matter to those who make the sponsorship decision for the Guard and that's all that matters. It's not about what the driver is willing or able to do or what the diehard Indycar fans think. The Guard sees the response and perceived benefit from those serving and potential recruits from being with Dale jr. (don't bather with the hate). They have seen the reactions that the previous Indycar drivers have gotten from those same groups. It's up to the decision makers with the Guard to make the call, stay with Panther whoever they hire, and that team's lack of success might be part of that, or find a driver they like and see what team he can get a ride with by bringing their money.

If the Guard did have a driver in mind, and I would just guess that to be an American driver, the choices narrow and that might mean moving to a different team. Ed would have to add a second car and transfer Fuzzy's to it with another driver. The Guard might not want to be with a liquor sponsor when recruiting 18 year olds. Rahal also has his own sponsors. Marco and RHR as well. Newgarden and SFHR would seem like a possibility. Hildebrand and Buddy Rice could be in the mix.

[Hitokiri]

Is Panther not interested in going after an American to fill the seat?

I think Panther's priorities are - #1. Win Indy #2. Win races/championship

I think Barnes did hire Hildebrand because he wanted to make a connection between his sponsor and his driver which was great but unfortunately things didn't pan out on the track. I still think Barnes well go after Munoz from Indy Lights solely because his performance this past Indy 500. Plus if you look down the line many Americans are already signed and I can't imagine Barnes signing another rookie to his team.

The way Rahal is driving this year isn't doing much for his credibility

To be fair I think any driver driving for RLL would be struggling this year. They seem to lack pace everywhere they do and their lack of luck pushes them even further back. I don't know what it is but we're talking about a driver that has smoked Charlie Kimball 2 years in a row at Ganassi and this year Kimball has a "W". I wonder how Graham would be doing this year if he hadn't gone over to his father's team.

[Indyfred]

I believe that Carlos Munoz will have a much better opportunity than driving for Panther.

[THE BEAR]

John Barnes and Marco Andretti. I would pay money to see that combination. Prolly wouldn't last more than one race....if that.

[skye]

John Barnes and Marco Andretti. I would pay money to see that combination. Prolly wouldn't last more than one race....if that.

Could make for some interesting fireworks.

[ARROWZ46]

If the National Guard were smart...

...they would shop that reported $10 MILLION in sponsorship to a variety of better performing teams in the INDYCAR paddock!!!

Why stay with Panther who have pi$$ed their money away (except for a pair of P2's at IMS over the years...)???

[lddk24fan]

I don't think much is known about the length of any contract for any sponsor or team. They could all have 'outs' or options.
You'll hear a chorus of Indycar fans who feel that the nationality of the driver in the National Guard car doesn't matter to them.

Don't hold me to this but I believe agreements for National Guard and the US Army are year to year

[vintage]

Don't hold me to this but I believe agreements for National Guard and the US Army are year to year

That is true for the Guard contract.

[Danny Noonan]

Briscoe

[tcsparky]

Montoya