INDY RACING: Hearn to drive for Schmidt at Chicago
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 31, 2001INDIANAPOLIS - Indy Racing veteran Richie Hearn will return to Sam Schmidt Motorsports to drive in the Delphi Indy 300 on Sept. 2 at Chicagoland Speedway, while rookie Anthony Lazzaro will be back in the team's seat for the Chevy 500 on Sept. 16 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Hearn, from Las Vegas, substituted for the injured Davey Hamilton at the Radisson Indy 200 on June 17 at Pikes Peak International Raceway, finishing ninth in the No. 99 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Racing Special Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone. Hearn won the 1996 Las Vegas 500 Indy Racing event.
"I am obviously excited to have this opportunity," Hearn said. "The testing that I was able to do with Bradley Motorsports will help me out a lot. The car was well prepared, and I appreciated the opportunity. "The last time I raced on a 1.5-mile track was the time I won in Las Vegas. So, the laps that I've had will help me get up to speed faster. I am really looking forward to running up front with Sam and his guys and getting the solid finish like we had in Pikes Peak ... and since I have no other plans at this time, getting the good finish will be important as we head into next season."
Lazzaro, from Acworth, Ga., finished 18th in his Indy Racing debut with the team in the No. 44 Parsons' Project G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone at the Gateway Indy 250 on Aug. 26 at Gateway International Raceway.
"St. Louis was great," Lazzaro said. "I cannot express my appreciation more to Sam for giving me the opportunity to get my feet wet in the IRL. As a driver looking for a ride you constantly hear 'bring money' and well, Sam put his money where his mouth was and stepped up to make it happen for me. I will always be grateful for that. "I am looking forward to Texas. I have been there in a (NASCAR) Busch (Series) car and with American Le Mans, so I'm comfortable with the track."
Hearn and Lazzaro are among the five drivers who have competed for Schmidt's new team this year, as Schmidt has auditioned a variety of drivers since Hamilton suffered severe leg injuries in the Casino Magic 500 in June at Texas Motor Speedway.
"It has been an interesting year," Schmidt said. "But as we round out the season, I am happy to have both Richie and Anthony in the seat. I am hopeful that we can run up front and continue to build a solid performance foundation that will allow us to attract the marketing partnerships we need to continue into 2002. I know that the team is capable. I know that Richie and Anthony are capable."
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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