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NorthernLight IRL: Hemelgarn Racing first to file three entries for 2000 Indy 500

8 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

1996 winner Lazier, rookie Drinan to drive

INDIANAPOLIS- Hemelgarn Racing, Inc., became the first Indy Racing Northern Light Series team to file three entries for the 84th Indianapolis 500, with 1996 Indy winner Buddy Lazier and rookie Dan Drinan listed as drivers of two entries.

The driver of the third entry will be announced later.

Lazier, from Vail, Colo., will drive the #91 Delta Faucet/Coors Light/Tae-Bo/Hemelgarn Racing Riley & Scott/Oldsmobile/Firestone, and the team also has entered a backup car. Dennis LaCava is the chief mechanic, with Lee Kunzman as team manager.

Lazier will attempt to make his eighth start at Indianapolis. He has produced an impressive recent record at the Speedway, finishing seventh or better every year since 1996.

This is the first entry of a Riley & Scott chassis for this years Indianapolis 500, May 28. Lazier scored the first Indy Racing victory for the chassis at the MCI WorldCom Indy 200 in March at Phoenix, taking the Northern Light Series points lead with the win.

Drinan, from Indianapolis, will drive the #93 Hemelgarn Racing Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone, with a backup car entered. Jimmy Drinan, Dan Drinans brother, is chief mechanic. Kunzman is team manager.

Noted chassis builder and USAC open-wheel standout Drinan completed the Rookie Orientation Program in 1996. He failed to qualify for the 1998 Indianapolis 500 in a D.B. Mann entry.

The third entry is the #92 March Indy International/Hemelgarn Racing. No chassis was indicated, but the primary and backup cars will be powered by Oldsmobile engines and ride on Firestone tires. LaCava is chief mechanic, with Kunzman as team manager.

March also is involved with the Sinden Racing Service entry filed March 27. Practice starts May 13 for the Indianapolis 500, with Pole Day May 20 and Race Day May 28.

The entry deadline is midnight April 12. All entrants will compete for one of the 33 starting spots in the worlds most prestigious auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The posted purse for last years event was $9,047,150, an all-time motorsports record.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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