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Roth Racing Prepares to Roll in 2004
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Marty Roth begins 2004 with dual responsibilities of owner/driver on the Indy Racing League®Menards Infiniti Pro Series™.

Roth Racing, which purchased the Panther Racing Pro Series car and equipment after the 2003 season, established its garage on Dec. 1 and completed its initial tests at Homestead-Miami Speedway in late December.

Mark Moore is the race engineer and team manager, and Butch Winkel is the chief mechanic.

“It was our first experience working together as a team, and it couldn’t have been better,” said Roth, a veteran racing driver. “Butch and Matt turned out strong and reliable cars every time we hit the track.”

Additional experience will be gained during open IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series™testing at Homestead-Miami on Jan. 27. The initial race of the 2004 season is at Homestead-Miami on Feb. 29. ESPN2 will broadcast the race on March 4.

“We can’t wait to get back down (to Homestead) for the open test,” Moore said.

Roth, a 45-year-old Toronto native, has considerable driving experience. He has competed in Indy Lights, in a Formula Ford 2000 and driven in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Roth had three top10- finishes in six Menards Infiniti Pro Series™races in 2003, including a best of sixth at Michigan International Speedway on July 27. He was driving for a team owned by longtime associate Brian Stewart.

Roth’s 10-year hiatus from open-wheel racing ended in 2002, when he competed in six Menards Infiniti Pro Series™races. He had four top-10 finishes and was 10th in the points standings.

This year, he’ll wear both a helmet and owner’s hat.

“Forming Roth Racing was a three-tier plan,” said Roth, who plans to compete in all Menards Infiniti Pro Series™races in 2004. “Phase one was buying the car and all the equipment. The second phase was hiring the right guys and setting up shop. The third was getting out there on the track.

“We did that flawlessly for 630 miles over two days on a new track (in testing). We’re definitely going in the right direction. The next thing we have to do is put our package on the track with the other teams and drivers.”

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