Lazier Brothers Aiming For Indy 500 Return
The Lazier brothers are working on a couple of last-minute deals to compete in a race they’ve contested 24 times combined.
With the help of some investors, Bob Lazier and Buddy have purchased the Dallara that ran Indy last year with Jean Alesi and it’s currently being fitted for a Chevrolet at the Dallara factory in Speedway.
“We’ve got the car but we still need some sponsorship," said the 1996 Indy winner who has 16 starts but hasn’t been in the race since 2008. “We’re talking with a couple of established teams and that would be the ideal situation to run a third car for them.
“We’re also prepared to run it ourselves if we couldn’t find a deal but obviously our first choice is to run with somebody."
The 45-year-old says he’s in the best shape of his life thanks to daily workouts and he’s been running his son (Flynn) with a lot of success in national go-kart events.
Buddy and Jaques Lazier. (Photo: IMS Photo)
“Some people might not recognize me because I’ve put on a lot of muscle," he continued. “But I feel great and I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business at Indianapolis.
“I didn’t make the show the last time (2009) because we ran out of time and I didn’t want to leave Indy like that."
Younger brother Jaques, whose last Indy start came in 2007, is in the process of assembling sponsors and reckons he’s got a 70-80 percent chance to be in a car.
“We’re getting close," said the personable 42-year-old who just missed qualifying a third car for A.J. Foyt in 2010. “I jumped in the car late on Sunday in 2010 and we figured I ended up missing the show by about five feet on my run so I’m like Buddy – I don’t want that to be my last memory of Indianapolis.
“We’ve still got a couple weeks and I’m optimistic." speedtv.com