Buddy’s back.
Vail’s Buddy Lazier, the 2000 Indy Racing League champion who has competed in just two races in two seasons, has agreed to drive for Panther Racing in at least two of the IRL’s upcoming events.
Lazier, 37, finished fifth in last month’s Indianapolis 500 for Panther, which fields full-time Chevrolet-powered teams for Tomas Scheckter and Tomas Enge.
“Everyone at Panther Racing has been trying to find a way to get Buddy back in one of our cars, and thanks to Chevrolet and our other sponsors, we are going to be able to make that happen,” Panther co-owner Gary Pedigo said in a release. “It is our hope that we can find the appropriate funding to race more than just these two events. … I firmly believe that we can find the right sponsor to put Buddy in a Panther car more often this year.”
Lazier, whose eight career IRL victories are tied for second- most behind former Panther driver Sam Hornish Jr., is pegged to qualify a Panther car for the July 16 race at Nashville Superspeedway and the July 31 event at Michigan International Speedway. The series also stops in Richmond, Va. (June 25); Kansas City, Kan. (July 3); and Milwaukee (July 24).
Pikes Peak International Raceway hosts the series Aug. 21.
“Panther Racing is a first-class organization and I can’t wait to get back in one of those cars,” Lazier said in a release. “All I asked from the team at Indianapolis was that Panther Racing give me a car that could win, and they did just that. I know with Panther Racing’s personnel and Chevrolet power behind me, I will have a chance to win.”
Lazier’s result at Indy was the best by a driver using a Chevrolet engine. The motor helped Scheckter win Saturday’s IRL race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Footnotes
Rain washed out Saturday’s sprint car feature at Rocky Mountain National Speedway, but not before George Rabbitt took top honors in modifieds. … Colorado National Speedway managed to complete its Saturday show, with Joel Hansen (GA modifieds), Harry Bragg (figure-eights) and Russ Harper (midgets) celebrating in victory circle.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
