Sherman Leads Panther Indy Lights Team With 17^th Place Finish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 5, 2008) – After a stellar opening to the season for Panther Racing Firestone Indy Lights teammates Brent Sherman and Dillon Battistini, the first race on the Streets of St. Petersburg was a bit more of a struggle. The team’s drivers finished 17^th and 21^st respectively.

Sherman started 13^th, evidence of continued improvement from the driver of Panther’s No. 16 Best Buddies car. Sherman admitted all weekend that the St. Petersburg street course could be his biggest challenge of the season as he transitions from stock cars to Firestone Indy Lights. For a driver that finished yesterday’s two combined practice sessions in the 22^nd position overall, the progress throughout the weekend has been dramatic.

His No. 16 car was pushing throughout the race, preventing Sherman from getting into a rhythm on the street circuit. He still battled for the duration, but fell a lap down near the conclusion of the race and had to settle for a 17^th-place result, still progress from where he started two days ago.

Brent Sherman:

"I’m disappointed. I  just never really felt like the car was under me. I had entry understeer and that prevented me from getting into a rhythm like I had started to in practice. Part of the issue is that I don’t know how it’s suppose to feel on these street circuits, and I just want to do well for my team and all the guys that have been working so hard. I’m learning and making progress, but I need to learn faster. The season is so short I can’t just run around out here.”