INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Panther Racing released the following statement after a House of Representatives vote defeated (216-202) an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill that would have eliminated military sponsorship of professional sports. Panther has been partners with the National Guard since the 2008 IndyCar Series season, and is in the middle of its current season with American JR Hildebrand, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. The statement reads as follows: All of us at Panther Racing are very happy with the outcome of today’s vote in the House of Representatives on an amendment that would have banned the military from sponsoring professional sports. We are especially thankful that many in Congress were able to recognize the enormous tangible return professional sports provides to the recruitment, retention and overall marketing efforts of our Nation’s military. The magnitude of the platform provided by professional sports partnerships, and the positive message about our Nation’s military that is conveyed through sporting events like the Indianapolis 500 and many others, is astronomical. In Panther Racing’s history nothing has been a larger point of pride than the responsibility of representing the National Guard, its Soldiers and their families. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to spread their message across the country.
