IndyCar Series: IRL’s Final Round

IndyCar Series: Indy Racing League’s final round

By LukeBro | Nov 9, 2017

WATKINS GLEN, NY - JULY 7: Sam Hornish Jr. driver of the #6 Team Penske Dallara honda during practice for the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Camping World Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix at the Watkins Glen International July 7, 2007 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

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SONOMA, CA – AUGUST 27: Vitor Meira drives the #4 Panther Racing Dallara Honda (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) /

Super Aguri Panther Racing

In 2007, Kosuke Matsuura, #55, joined Panther Racing alongside Vitor Meira, #4. The season would ultimately be forgettable as each driver was only able to achieve a best finish of 4th place. Meira finished fourth at the season opener in Homestead with other finishes of 5th at Texas and Milwaukee. Kosuke Matsuura achieved his best finish of 4th at the two-mile oval of Michigan. Meira would end up finishing the season 12^th in standings while Matsuura would finish 16^th, second to last among full-time drivers.

Meira would remain for the 2008 season with Matsuura not racing again until the 2009 season with Conquest Racing.

A.J. Foyt Racing

Darren Manning was the lone Foyt entry in 2007 piloting car #14. On paper the season looks miserable with a best finish of 4^th at Belle Isle. If we dig a little deeper we can see some positives with the team such as there was only four DNFs. Manning was also running third for most of the St. Pete racing until a late spun lowered him to 13^th. While these positives may be small we know how the recent story goes for A.J. Foyt racing as they struggle to find their identity and success.

Darren Manning would ultimately finish 13^th in the final standings and would return with the team for 2008.