Sears Point I: Panther Racing race notes

Battistini Finishes 18th, Sherman 19th in First Firestone Indy Lights Race of Season

In the first of two Firestone Indy Lights races this weekend, Panther teammates Dillon Battistini and Brent Sherman finished 18th and 19th, respectively. The second race will be held tomorrow prior to the IndyCar Series event. Battistini is now sixth in the Indy Lights championship race and Sherman is in 12th. Following this weekend, the season finale will be held at Chicagoland Speedway, where Panther was victorious in 2003 with Mark Taylor.

Dillon Battistini, No. 15 National Guard Delphi:

"Even though the finish wasn't where we would have liked, we are still within striking distance of third place. It was good news when Arie Luyendyk, Jr. spun and we moved ahead. Unfortunately we weren't able to stay there. Our objective this weekend is to stay in touch with third and capitalize on the oval in Chicago."

Brent Sherman, No. 16 National Guard Delphi:

"It was a good car; there are just a few more adjustments that we have to make to get it suited more to my liking. We are going to try to run the best laps we can during tomorrow's (Valley of the Moon 100) and move up and not back. Hopefully we finish with the best lap times we've had all weekend and move as far inside the Top Ten in the championship as we can."

-credit: agr