Who will replace Hildebrand?

Panther owner John Barnes drove that point home Friday by saying “three or four" drivers will join the team in the coming weeks for job interviews keyed toward 2014.

This week’s candidate is Ryan Briscoe, who doesn’t have an IndyCar ride this season.

“You can know how they perform with other teams, but we want to see how they react with our team, our sponsors and the soldiers," Barnes told The Star at Belle Isle Park, site of this weekend’s IndyCar doubleheader. “It’s a test."

Barnes won’t give up his list of possibilities — actually, it’s still developing — but it figures to include AJ Allmendinger and Townsend Bell. Katherine Legge or rookies Carlos Munoz and Conor Daly also could get a shot at the No. 4 car, although it seems a veteran will ultimately get the ride.

Barnes said Oriol Servia doesn’t have to audition.

“He’s been in my cars all year long," he said of the Panther DRR driver.

Barnes said the driver of the National Guard-sponsored car doesn’t have to be an American.

“We’re a country of immigrants," he said. Indy Star