IndyCar: Strange twist in the Panther Racing legal controversy

Panther Racing owner John Barnes’ lawsuit against a former National Guard employee, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Document and Packaging Brokers and the Indy Racing League LLC has taken an unexpected turn.

Barnes now finds himself suing the United States of America.

After filing suit last February in Indiana’s Marion County Superior Court, one of the defendants had it moved to Federal Court and that brought U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett into the picture.

Panther Racing lost the lucrative National Guard sponsorship of its Indy car to RLL Racing for 2014, so Barnes filed suit and, among other charges, accused Sgt. Metzler of the National Guard  of “bid-rigging” and providing RLLR with inside information that assisted in their successful bid. But, according to Federal Law, that claim can only be asserted against the United States so Hogsett filed a brief and a notice that Metzler was no longer a defendant and was being replaced by the USA.

Barnes can still make Metzler, a member of the Army National Guard Bureau, testify but he’s no longer a defendant.

It’s the second setback for Barnes, who earlier this year had his appeal denied by the Government Accountability Officer (GAO). Barnes alleged there was collusion between Docupak, the sponsorship account service provider that compiled the sponsorship bids, RLLR and Metzler, who helped create Panther’s original sponsorship contract in 2008.

The GAO denial revealed RLLR’s bid for one season of sponsorship and hospitality was $12,693,969.47 while Panther asked for $17, 219,658.47. Barnes claims alleged tortious behavior and asks for monetary damages.

The court will be considering a schedule to go forward.