Ryan Briscoe Replaces Outbound JR Hildebrand At Panther Racing

It has been confirmed that Ryan Briscoe will replace JR Hildebrand at Panther Racing for this weekend’s Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit, following the 25-year-old American’s contract termination with the Indianapolis-based outfit. Ryan Briscoe finished 12th last weekend in the Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Since storming to Championship success in the Firestone Indy Lights Series back in 2009 with AFS Racing, JR Hildebrand has enjoyed a relatively successful career in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Panther Racing. However, after only five races this season, the Californian-born 25-year-old has had his contract terminated with Panther Racing. For this weekend’s dual races in Detroit, the outfit has appointed Ryan Briscoe as Hildebrand’s replacement, however a full-time replacement has yet to be confirmed.

JR Hildebrand began his IZOD IndyCar career in 2010.

“I want to thank Panther Racing for the opportunity to drive the No. 4 National Guard Chevrolet,” explained JR Hildebrand in a statement. “It was a privilege to represent our men and women in uniform, along with the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe and the team’s veteran employment initiatives. I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter in my IndyCar career.”

After numerous Formula 1 tests with Toyota in 2003 and 2004, Ryan Briscoe made his debut in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2005. During his debut season, Briscoe was involved in a horrific incident at Chicagoland where he was launched into the catch-fencing. Despite being injured during the incident, the Australian driver made a full recovery and joined Dreyer & Reinbold racing the following season. After a season in the American Le Mans Series with Penske, Briscoe returned to IndyCar in 2008 with Team Penske.

Towards the end of the 2012 season it became apparent that Ryan Briscoe’s drive at Team Penske was under threat, and the Australian driver left the outfit after finishing 6th in the Drivers’ Championship with 370 points. Ryan Briscoe returned to the IZOD IndyCar Series last weekend for the Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing, and is understandably thrilled to be preparing to compete once again this weekend in Detroit.

“I’m unbelievably excited to be back in the IndyCar Series with Panther Racing and to have the opportunity to drive the National Guard Chevrolet this weekend,” enthused Ryan Briscoe. “I’ve competed against this team for a long time and it will be great to have the opportunity to work with John Barnes and the Panther guys. I’m confident we’ll all work well together and be able to hit the ground running this weekend in Detroit.”

Last season Ryan Briscoe finished 16th around the Belle Isle street circuit for Team Penske, a season when the Sydney-born 31-year-old only won one race at Sonoma. With a full-time replacement currently unconfirmed by Panther Racing, Ryan Briscoe will be out to impress this weekend in a bid prolong his time with the Indianapolis-based outfit.

Picture(s) Copyright © Jim Haines & Chris Jones/IndyCar

Mike Conway To Make IndyCar Return At Detroit

Mike Conway will make his return to the IZOD IndyCar Series at Detroit this weekend with Dale Coyne Racing, in what will be the sport’s first doubleheader race weekend around the 2.3-mile, 13-turn street circuit. The 29-year-old Briton last raced at Long Beach in April for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

After feeling uncomfortable competing on ovals towards the end of last season, Mike Conway left the IZOD IndyCar Series with immediate effect and was subsequently replaced for the season finale by Wade Cunningham at Fontana. Despite his departure from the Series, Mike Conway returned earlier in the year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Long Beach, where the Bromley-born Briton qualified a competitive 5th yet retired with an electrical issue.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity with Dale and look forward to having a race weekend where I will have two chances to race with my fellow competitors,” explained Mike Conway. “I miss being in the car full time, and teaming with Justin (Wilson) again will be quite exciting for me.”

Mike Conway and Justin Wilson were team-mates back in 2010 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, a year when Mike Conway suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck following an almighty incident at the Indianapolis 500. Last season Mike Conway finished 9th around the streets of Detroit for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, on his way to 21st in the Drivers’ Championship with 233 points scored.

Picture Copyright © Ron McQueeney/IndyCar