Panther team fires Carter

A press release distributed Friday at The Milwaukee Mile cited "several instances over the course of the last few seasons that were not representative of Panther" as the reason behind the dismissal. The IRL IndyCar Series began practice Friday at Milwaukee for Sunday's Menards A.J. Foyt 225.

Panther co-owner Mike Griffin declined to comment on the decision. Carter, whose sons Cole and Dane are competing in USAC races this weekend at Milwaukee, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Dane Carter's USAC Silver Crown car is owned by Panther Racing. He qualified 11th on Friday for the The Milwaukee Mile 100. Cole Carter qualified the Carter Racing car sixth for The Milwaukee Mile 25, a USAC midget race.

Pancho Carter was considered a key player in Panther Racing's IRL IndyCar Series championships with Sam Hornish Jr in 2001 and 2002. He was currently the spotter for Tomas Scheckter.

Carter, 54, competed in the Indianapolis 500 17 times in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. He won the pole position for the race in 1985. He won one CART race, at Michigan International Speedway in 1981, and finished third in championship points that season.

"Pancho has consistently been one of the best spotters in the league and has played a major role in the development of our drivers," the statement read. "However, there have been several instances over the course of the last few seasons that were not representative of Panther, and the team felt it was best for both parties to part ways."

It was the second major personnel move by Panther Racing in less than a month. After an IRL race June 26 at Richmond International Raceway, Panther officials fired driver Mark Taylor and replaced him with Townsend Bell. Taylor began driving Greg Ray's car last week at Nashville Superspeedway.

Buddy Lindblom, Panther's team manager, is expected to replace Carter as Scheckter's spotter for Sunday's race.