Lazier Wins in Chicago, Hornish Clinches

Contact: Rick Voegelin
rickvoegelin@compuserve.com
GM Racing Communications
(831) 761-2201


Lazier Wins in the Windy City, Hornish Clinches IRL Championship

JOLIET, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001 - Jaques Lazier blew away the
competition today in the Windy City, scoring his first Indy Racing Northern
Light Series victory in the inaugural IRL event at Chicagoland Speedway
with Team Menard's Oldsmobile Dallara. Sam Hornish Jr. clinched the series'
$1 million championship bonus with a runner-up finish in Panther Racing's
Oldsmobile Dallara and delivered Oldsmobile's fifth consecutive drivers
championship.

    In his second race with Team Menard, Lazier won the pole, led 116 of
200 laps and took the checkered flag with a 1.4609-second margin of victory
over Hornish. He averaged 172.146 mph in the 200-lap race, the third
fastest race in IRL history, and became the fourth driver to win for Team
Menard. Lazier notched Oldsmobile's 11th victory of the season and the 48th
overall.

    "We had a tremendous car and everything we did went right," said
Lazier. "We used everything we had. There were times when I had to go from
sixth back to the front. At the end I knew I was going to be very difficult
for anyone to pass me."

    Lazier notched the tenth victory for an IRL Aurora V8 prepared by
Menard Engine Development. "The engine was flawless!" he exclaimed "We had
such a strong motor that we were able to put some more downforce in the
car."

    With the championship on the line, some expected Hornish to run
a conservative race. They were mistaken; he sliced, diced, dodged and
drafted his way to the front from his eighth starting position, gaining
four spots on the first lap.

    "It wouldn't matter if we were racing for one dollar or a
million dollars," Hornish asserted. "To have your name on that trophy and
know that you accomplished that deed is good enough for us."

    Hornish and the Pennzoil Panther team have been the epitome of
consistency this season. Running at the finish of every race, Sam has
posted nine podium finishes and 11 Top Ten finishes in 12 events. At 22, he
is the youngest driver to win a major American open-wheel championship.

    "Every time we go out on the track we want to be first,"
Hornish explained. "Whether it's practice, qualifying or the race, it
doesn't matter.

    "Speedway Engine Development and the Oldsmobile engines they build for
us have just been awesome," he continued. "We've had a couple small
problems, but if you look down the line, they've been very minor. It's a
pleasure to work with the people from Speedway. They've won the
championship two straight years and finished first and second two straight
years. If that doesn't say that they're doing the right thing, I don't know
what does."

    Lazier took the lead for good from Felipe Giaffone on the 175th
lap. Giaffone, who has already wrapped up the Rookie of the Year title
with Treadway-Hubbard Racing's Oldsmobile G-Force, drove like a seasoned
veteran. He led 34 laps and was running at the front when a coolant leak
overheated his engine and sidelined the Brazilian racer. He finished tenth.

    Jaques became the second member of the Lazier family to stand in
the winner's circle this season after his brother Buddy posted four
victories. Buddy's bid for the IRL championship ended when he finished
11th, two laps behind his younger brother.

    "All I've ever wanted was a home where I could stay for several years
to develop a program like my brother has done at Hemelgarn Racing,"
Jaques confided. "I truly believe we have a home at Team Menard. I look
forward to this being the first of many wins."

    With the championship decided, Hornish will have a chance to relax
before the Indy Racing Northern Light Series season finale. The Chevy 500
will be held at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, Sept.
16. The race will be televised on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Race Summary

Track: Chicagoland Speedway, 1.5-mile oval
Winner: Jaques Lazier, Team Menard Oldsmobile Dallara
Margin of Victory: 1.4609 seconds
Average Speed: 172.146 mph
Pole: Jaques Lazier/Oldsmobile, 221.740 mph
Fastest Lap: Robbie Buhl/Infiniti, 222.137 mph

Top Five Finishers

Pos./Driver/Engine/Laps
1. Jaques Lazier/Oldsmobile, 200 laps
2. Sam Hornish Jr./Oldsmobile, 200
3. Eddie Cheever Jr./Infiniti, 200
4. Jeff Ward/Oldsmobile, 200
5. Donnie Beechler/Oldsmobile, 200

Manufacturer Results

Laps Led: Oldsmobile 168, Infiniti 32
Starters: Oldsmobile 23, Infiniti 2
Running at Finish: Oldsmobile 14, Infiniti 1

Championship Standings

After 12 of 13 events
Driver/Engine/Points (victories in parentheses)
1. Sam Hornish Jr./Oldsmobile, 451 (2) *clinched championship
2. Buddy Lazier/Oldsmobile, 385 (4)
3. Scott Sharp/Oldsmobile, 315 (1)
4. Billy Boat/Oldsmobile, 295
    Felipe Giaffone/Oldsmobile, 295

Manufacturer/Points (victories in parentheses)
1. Oldsmobile, 117 (11) *clinched championship
2. Infiniti, 87 (1)

Next Race

Sept. 16, 2001, Chevy 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas,
1.5-mile oval
TV: ESPN, 4:30 p.m. EDT

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  E-mail from: Rick Voegelin, 02-Sep-2001