Panther celebrates Fourth of July with new car livery at Pocono

LONG POND, PA. - (July 4, 2013) – Pocono Raceway was abuzz during the Fourth of July as 24 IndyCar Series drivers participated in a full-day test on the unique 2.5-mile track. For National Guard Panther Racing driver Ryan Briscoe the test was his final warm-up for Sunday’s race, as the former IndyCar race winner will miss Saturday’s practice and qualifications while competing in the ALMS race at Lime Rock. Briscoe tested at Pocono last Tuesday with the team as well, and despite having to start last in Sunday’s 400-mile event, both driver and team feel they’ll be able to get the National Guard Chevrolet to the front of the field.

Briscoe turned a total of 114 laps during the day, and posted a top average lap speed of 217.527 mph, which ranked him 14th on the final speed chart of the day. Chevrolet paced the field during the test, as Marco Andretti was quickest on the day with a lap of 220.963 mph and was followed on the speed chart by Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves.

Panther is running a special red, white and blue National Guard livery in honor of the Fourth of July weekend that also highlights the 150th anniversary of the Medal of Honor. Panther hosts many Medal of Honor Recipients as part of its “Operation: Hire Our Guard” veteran employment program, and former Marine Captain James E. Livingston, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroicefforts in the Vietnam War, will be a guest of the team this weekend.

Ryan Briscoe, No. 4 National Guard Chevrolet:
“The Panther crew has done a good job and we’ve had a productive couple days here in the National Guard Chevy. The car is feeling really good and very consistent as we go through a run. It’s solid all the way around the track and seems to get better as the fuel load burns off. Obviously you never want to start last, but I’m thankful Panther gave me the opportunity to run here this weekend and the car is good enough that we’ll be OK. I think the Fourth of July livery looks really sharp too, and it’s an honor to represent the National Guard on such an important holiday weekend.”

Panther Racing