Panther enter second car at Indy for Boat.

Double Indy Racing League Champions Pennzoil Panther Racing have entered a second Dallara-Chevrolet in this year's Indianapolis 500 for veteran IRL fan favourite Billy Boat, whose own IRL team was forced to suspend operations earlier this season through a lack of funding.

Boat will team with two-time IRL Drivers Champion Sam Hornish Jr for the 87th running of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' in the as-yet unsponsored #98 Dallara-Chevrolet. Boat's team used the #98 plate last year although Panther's Infiniti Pro Series crew chief, Chris Griffis has been assigned crew-chief duties for Boat's Indy 500 effort.

"We're blessed to be able to represent two great American companies, Pennzoil and Chevrolet, again this year in the greatest of all races - the Indianapolis 500," said team co-owner John Barnes. "And I am pleased to announce we are going to have two chances at a victory this year by entering both Sam and Billy."

Hornish, who will be entering his fourth Indianapolis 500, is the IRL's winningest driver - with eight wins. Each of his victories has come behind the wheel of the Pennzoil Panther Racing Dallara. But the Indianapolis 500 victory still eludes Hornish and Panther Racing.

"We have had two great years in the Indy Racing League," said Hornish. "Unfortunately, our toughest days in each of those years have come at Indianapolis. We are hopeful that we can make Indy our best track this year!"

Hornish has finished 24th, 14th and 15th at Indianapolis and, although not happy with the overall finishing positions, Hornish has turned in some spectacular performances after early problems in the last two years have eliminated him from an opportunity at victory. For example, in 2001 Hornish turned the fastest lap recorded during the race.

Along with Hornish, Panther announced it would field a car for long time IRL competitor, Billy Boat. Boat has competed in six Indianapolis 500 races where he started on the pole in 1998 and from the outside of row one in 1999. Boat has led two Indianapolis 500 races for a total of 13 laps and has recorded a best finish at Indianapolis of 3rd in 1999. In addition, Boat ranks second in the most pole positions earned in the Indy Racing League history and has one career IndyCar Series victory.

"I first had an opportunity to work with Billy in 1996 when he passed his rookie test at Indianapolis," Barnes said, eluding to the fact that Boat has assisted Panther Racing during multiple testing sessions from 2000 - 2002. "Panther Racing has since worked with Billy on a number of occasions in the last few years and we are excited to have an opportunity to enter such a talented driver in the race. The combination of Sam and Billy together will present a valuable tool for Panther Racing in set-up development and raceday preparations."

"Working with Panther Racing will be very easy for me," Boat said. "I know most of the guys and they know me really well. Having Sam as a teammate for May will give us both a lot more information upon which we can draw and it should make us both very competitive."