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Northern Light IRL: Lazier nominated for prestigious ESPY Award

5 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS- Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion Buddy Lazier was named a finalist in the Driver of the Year category for the ninth annual ESPY Awards.

Lazier, from Vail, Colo., will represent the Northern Light Series at the black-tie celebration Feb. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, the event will be televised live at 9 p.m. (EST) on ESPN. "Ive watched the awards show on TV in the past, and I never imagined that my passion would put me in position to be a part of the ESPYs," Lazier said. "It will be a thrill to be in Las Vegas that night and to be considered among sports elite."

Lazier, winner of the 1996 Indianapolis 500, earned the nomination after winning two Indy Racing events and the coveted Northern Light Cup in 2000. The finalists are chosen by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee, comprised of a blue-ribbon panel of sports executives, journalists and retired athletes, and the winner is decided by the ESPY Finalist Committee made up of top athletes and ESPN/ABC personnel.

Past winners in the motorsports category include: Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Al Unser Jr., Jimmy Vasser and Nigel Mansell.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.