Pop Off Valve, for IndyCar fans

On the heels of a successful test with Panther Racing at Phoenix International Raceway, American J.R. Hildebrand will be taking over the #4 National Guard Dallara/Honda in 2011 for the team.

This morning, Panther Racing issued a disappointed press release stating that they had failed to sign LeBron James to drive an IZOD IndyCar Series entry alongside Dan Wheldon. It is a tossup whether the PR itself or the fact that it got picked up and distributed to outlets like SPEED.com - apparently without the realization of its tongue-in-cheek nature - is more full of win. Wheldon - and his shoe collection - was apparently unavailable for comment.

Panther Racing announced today it has partnered with Vision Racing and will enter Ed Carpenter in the No. 20 Dallara Honda during next month’s 94th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The collaboration between the two IZOD IndyCar Series teams will pair Carpenter with full-time Panther driver Dan Wheldon, pilot of the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing entry.

Former F1 competitor Giorgio Pantano is negotiating with Panther Racing to drive a second car for the 2010 season. Pantano told Stop & Go that he has a "60% chance" and that he will know by early January if the team will hire him. Pantano, the 2008 GP2 champion, raced in two IRL events with Ganassi Racing in 2005 and split time between PKV Racing and Conquest Racing in Champ Car the following season. His most recent foray was with AC Milan in the Superleague Formula in 2009. Thanks to 16th And Georgetown for the heads up.