INDIANAPOLIS — Times have changed dramatically for Buddy Lazier. The 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time runner-up must scramble to make this year’s field during today’s qualifying.
He’s started each year since 1995, but now, he’s trying to do it with a one-car team on a limited budget.
He’d become the 14th driver to make at least 15 straight starts at Indy if he pulls it off.
“If you don’t have the team and the budget to win, getting those starts is almost like winning,” Lazier said from the Hemelgarn Johnson garage Friday. “It’s adding to something I’d really like to add to.”
Lazier, a resident of Vail, completed 69 laps Friday, with a top speed of 219.190 mph in only his second day on the track this month. He said he believes he’ll qualify for the May 24 race if he improves a bit.
“If we can keep pace, we’re right there,” Lazier said. “We should be there. Yes, we need to gain a little bit of speed, but so does everybody else.”
Much of the Hemelgarn Racing team that helped Lazier win in 1996 is still together. Owner Ron Hemelgarn, team manager Lee Kunzman and engineer Ronnie Dawes are teaming up to try to improve Lazier’s impressive Indy 500 resume. And the veteran driver knows the speedway oval like few others.
Lazier is in eighth place in miles driven in the Indy 500 at 6,665, making him the only driver entered in this year’s race in the top 10 in that category.
That experience gives his team confidence that he’ll only need the one car.
“Knock on wood, Buddy’s been a very, very safe driver,” Hemelgarn said. “He brings those cars back with all wheels on it.”
Johnson wins All-Star pole
CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson has a history of dominance at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but had never started from the pole in the All-Star race.
After a speedy, mistake-free performance, the decorated driver can check off that accomplishment, too.
The three-time defending Sprint Cup points champion won five of six points races at Lowe’s from 2003-05. He’s in position to return to the top spot after being the star of the unusual qualifying format.
Teams had to go three laps and make a four-tire pit stop without speeding down pit road or leaving loose lug nuts.
Time penalties for those infractions cost several drivers, but not Johnson. He had a speedy first lap, but shot to the front by being the fastest out of the pits — 119 mph.
He finished in 2 minutes, 1.416 seconds, then held off all challengers for tonight’s pole.
Footnotes.
Ashley Force Hood (funny car), Cory McClenathan (top fuel) and Mike Edwards (pro stock) were the top qualifiers for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway.
• Ron Hornaday Jr. raced to his first NASCAR trucks victory of the season and the 40th of his career, holding off Kyle Busch over the final laps at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
The Associated Press
