Lazier Tops 225 mph with Chevy Indy V8

LAZIER TOPS 225 MPH IN SUCCESSFUL 570-MILE TEST WITH CHEVY INDY V8

FONTANA, Dec. 19, 2001 -- Christmas came early for Buddy Lazier when he
took the wraps off his new Chevy Indy V8 at California Speedway. The
all-new Chevrolet racing engine completed 570 trouble-free miles in its
second successful track test.

    After patiently circling the 2-mile superspeedway at a steady 223-mph
race pace, Lazier put his foot down on his 255th circuit and turned a
scorching 225.15 mph lap to celebrate another milestone in the ongoing
development of the Chevy Indy V8.

    "In my entire racing career, I've never seen a brand-new motor run so
well right out of the box," said Lazier. "The Chevy engine exceeded all of
my expectations.

    "The motor feels lighter and that helps the car handle better, but
it's the power that is really impressive," Lazier added. "Horsepower is a
driver's best friend, so this Chevy engine and I are going to get along
just fine."

    Lazier turned his first laps at California Speedway in Hemelgarn
Racing's Chevrolet Dallara during the two-day test. He will return to the
fast Fontana oval on Feb. 5-6 for the "Test in the West," and he will
compete in the inaugural IRL event in Southern California on March 24,
2002.

    In addition to the extended test at California Speedway, the
GM-designed Chevy Indy V8 has successfully completed three 500-mile
dynamometer durability runs and a track test at Phoenix International
Raceway by 2001 IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr. in Panther Racing's Chevrolet
Dallara.

    "This was a brutal test for the Chevy Indy V8 at California
Speedway because the engine ran continuously at wide-open throttle," said
Joe Negri, GM Racing IRL/Road Racing Group manager. "That duty cycle
simulates the demands the engine will encounter at the Indianapolis 500,
and it came through without a problem.

    "Now that we have validated the engine's reliability on the dyno and
on the track, we will continue to work on developing more horsepower and
speed," Negri continued. "We are simultaneously producing parts so that
other teams can begin testing programs with the Chevrolet engine."

    Lazier's Chevy Indy V8 engine was prepared by Speedway Engine
Development in Indianapolis, one of the independent engine builders that
assemble and test GM engines for IRL teams.

    "We're very pleased with the results and anxious to get the engine
back and evaluate the components," said Speedway Engine Development
engineer Brian Figg. "This is our second Chevy Indy V8 that has run more
than 550 miles. Obviously the reliability is there, so it may be time to
look at pumping up the horsepower."

    Lazier can't wait for that next step.

    "It was a great two days for us," said the 1996 Indy 500 winner and
2000 Indy Racing League champion. "There is huge potential in this engine.
I'm looking forward to racing it."