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J.R. Hildebrand Finishes 21st in Milwaukee

IZOD IndyCar Series, Panther Racing Move to Bullring at Iowa Speedway Next Weekend

WEST ALLIS, WI. – (June 19, 2011) – The Milwaukee 225 ended early for Panther Racing and National Guard driver JR Hildebrand after contact with the outside retaining wall on Lap 122 concluded the IZOD IndyCar Series rookie’s day in the 21st position. A faulty weight jacker during the race made for a difficult day for Hildebrand, who had to fight the car’s handling from an early point in the race on The Milwaukee Mile’s challenging one-mile oval.

J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito, California

The finish moves Hildebrand into the 11th spot in the IZOD IndyCar Series points championship, and the 23-year-old remains the leader in the Rookie of the Year chase, where he leads James Hinchcliffe by a total of 17 points.

Hildebrand started the race in the 18th position but was able to advance several spots quickly at the start of the 225-lap event. A malfunction in the car’s on-board weight jacker at some point during the early portions of the event caused the handling on the No. 4 car to get very unpredictable, which is especially challenging at a short flat track like Milwaukee. After the first caution of the race from Laps 1-6, a long green-flag run caused the team to lose a lap and then following a yellow for contact involving Ana Beatriz, Hildebrand made his first pit stop of the day on Lap 79.

On Lap 122 leader Tony Kanaan passed Hildebrand in Turn Three which caused Hildebrand to go high in the corner and the car got into the marbles and slid into the outside retaining wall, ending the day for the Panther team in 21st position.

Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti captured the race victory and was joined on the podium by Oriol Servia and the driver of the No. 38 car.

The IZOD IndyCar Series will now travel to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 which will be broadcast live on VERSUS,Saturday, June 25th at 8:00 pm (ET) with additional coverage provided by the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 94 and Sirius channel 212.

JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:

“I was struggling with the car a little bit, for sure. At that point, I’m kind of trying to stay out of my own way out there. We’re just trying to survive through the race. With the leaders going by, a lot of the guys can stay on the bottom and some of the guys just sort of can’t. It’s not their fault. I just got through with TK (Tony Kanaan), and I got shoved up in the marbles. Once I got up there, I couldn’t get it back.”


www.JRHildebrandRacing.com – www.pantherracing.com – www.NationalGuard.com

– Panther Racing, Press Release

J.R. Hildebrand Is Finally Ready For The Milwaukee Mile

J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito is anxious to get on the track again after a difficult weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. He and his team struggled a bit in the twin Firestone 275’s, finishing 23rd and 18th. We expect to see J.R. and the National Guard car moving to the front this weekend in Milwaukee.

WEST ALLIS, WI. – (June 17, 2011) – An electrical gremlin caused the National Guard Panther Racing team to sit and watch IZOD IndyCar Series practice for over an hour Friday at the Milwaukee Mile, but driver JR Hildebrand hopped into the seat and quickly posted the 20th overall time on the day in a limited number of laps.

J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito, CA

In just 30 laps on the challenging one-mile oval, Hildebrand posted a quick time of 22.4248 second, which is an average lap speed of 162.945 mph. Team Penske driver Will Power was quickest on the day with a top speed of 167.648 mph and was followed on the speed chart by fellow IZOD IndyCar Series championship contender Dario Franchitti, who was second-quick with a top lap speed of 167.462 mph.

There will be two more practice sessions tomorrow in addition to qualifications that will set the grid for Sunday’s 225-lap event.

The Milwaukee 225 will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 3:30 pm (ET) with additional coverage provided by the IMS RadioNetwork, XM channel 94 and Sirius channel 212.

JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:

“The National Guard guys worked really hard to just to get the car back out on the racetrack. So it was good to be able to get back out on track and we had a pretty decent first run and then decided to cut our losses with the lack of time on track and just go out and do some heavy fuel runs. Our time isn’t very representative of how quick we can go although we felt OK about it considering we didn’t run at all. We’ll take what we did today and compare it to what we did at the test and try to make it a little bit better for tomorrow.”


www.JRHildebrandRacing.com – www.pantherracing.com – www.NationalGuard.com

– Panther Racing, Press Release

The SRL Spears Southwest Tour Comes to Stockton 99 Speedway

After a weekend, two weeks ago, of Event-changing weather, which postponed the original date for this race, the light comes to shine, once again, on Saturday, June 18th when the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series Late Models roll onto the high-banks for their first appearance of the year in the Mid Valley Iron & Metals 150. With little doubt, this is one of the finest touring series on the West Coast. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss. So come early because the Old Girl is going to be full to the brim. Also on the Ticket for the Event will be the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Western Late Models, Super Stocks, Bombers and the Mini Cups.

Series Points Leader M.K. Kanke from Frazier Park, CA. Photo by Jessica McAnelly.

The SRL has a familiar face heading the field in to Stockton this year, and that face comes in the form of M.K. Kanke (33) of Frazier Park. After three races so far this Season, he leads the youngster, Jacob Gomes (16) of Manteca, by a slim four points (500-496). At this point, both drivers are sitting on a win and both drivers have plenty experience on the tight quarter-mile. However, lurking around another six points off the pace, Jim Pettit II (03) of Prunedale, has felt the magic of circling Stockton 99 Speedway for many years. And, to have him that close in the rearview mirror has to be unsettling, to say the least. This promises to be a fantastic battle with a fantastic star-studded field.

Six races into the Season, Modesto’s Jeff Belletto (12x) has three wins to his credit in the Western Late Model Division, which has enabled him to retain the Points Lead and increase it to twenty over now second place, Dave Byrd (78) of Seaside (282-262). Sitting another fourteen points in arrears, Modesto’s Mike Beeler (6) is enjoying a great Season of his own through consistency and perseverance. With much time left on the year, you can already feel the intensity moving up the scale.

Jeff Belletto from Modesto, points leader in the Western Late Model Division.

In the Super Stocks, due to mechanical issues, Rich Harper (5) of Stockton lost his lead last week and it is now West Modesto’s Garland Tyler (73) with a five point lead in the Division (431-426). Another twenty-two points back, Hughson’s Mike Graham (93) sits in third and is poised to pounce should one or both of the front-runners falter. This is the tightest Points Race in this Division in quite some time, perhaps ever.

Despite suffering a set-back last week, Jeremy Tucker (351) of Stockton still managed to hold onto the Points Lead in the Bomber Division by nineteen points over second place runner, Mike Massone (007), also of Stockton. A mere two points off second, Stockton’s Tony Karsting (312) has quietly made his way to third. Stay tuned to this one, it’s going to get really good before it’s over.

The Mini Cups return for their fourth appearance this year, and so far, it’s been all about 2010 Champ Cody Johnston (50) of Stockton. He leads by forty-six points over Bryce Napier (03) of Scotts Valley (144-98). Another two points back, Lodi’s Jackson Ezell (15) owns va win this year. Look for Johnston to continue his dominance in the Division.

Pit Gates open and registration begins at noon with practice commencing at 2:00 PM. The Grandstands open at 4:00 PM with qualifying set for 4:00 PM and green flag racing slated for 6:00 PM. Ticket prices for the evening will be as follows:

General Admission (16+) $25
Juniors (11-15) $20
Kids 10 & Under FREE
Seniors (60+) $15
Military (W/ Military ID) $15
Family (2 General + 2 Junior’s) $70

FRIDAY PRACTICE: Event Testing. SRL, Western Late Models, Super Stocks, Bombers and Mini Cups only on June 17th for Friday Night Oval Testing. In an effort to keep costs down for the fans and drivers with the rising costs of operations, it has become necessary to keep the grandstands closed on practice day.

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99. For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-9999 or visit their Website at www.stockton99.com.

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, California Welding Supply, Budweiser, Alamo Alarm and Stockton Hampton Inn and Suites and Lodi Holiday Express.

Photos courtesy of Jessica McAnelly from Jessie’s Fast Photos.