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Northern Light IRL: Lazier invited to race in elite True Value IROC Series in 2001

15 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS- Buddy Lazier, the 2000 Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion, will join an elite group of professional drivers next year in the True Value International Race of Champions (IROC) Series.

Lazier began testing at Daytona International Speedway on Nov. 13 shortly after accepting his first invitation to compete in the series. It was his first time driving a stock car and his first time driving around Daytonas famed 2.5-mile, high-banked tri-oval.

"This is incredible," Lazier said from his in-car radio. "These cars just stick wherever you go. Theyve got so much grip. Thank you. This is so much fun."

Veteran True Value IROC test drivers Dave Marcis, Jim Sauter, Dick Trickle and Andy Hillenburg - also a Northern Light Series competitor -- assisted Lazier with the test.

"I am paying strict attention to these guys," Lazier said. "They test these cars and are the finest at what they do. Ive never been in a stock car before today, but Ive always been a big stock car and Winston Cup fan. This is really fun for me. Its a really neat deal, and these guys are taking good care of me."

IROC was formed with the premise of finding the worlds best driver. The series calls for 12 top drivers from different types of motorsports to compete in identically prepared IROC Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams at four different venues.

The Indy Racing League has been represented with at least two drivers for the past three years. In 1998, the drivers were Tony Stewart and Arie Luyendyk. In 1999, Kenny Brack and Eddie Cheever Jr. represented the Indy Racing League. In 2000, Eddie Cheever Jr., Greg Ray and Mark Dismore were the league representatives. Cheever won the IROC race at Michigan Speedway this year, the first open-wheel driver to win in the series since Al Unser Jr. won the Daytona round in 1997.

The 25th anniversary IROC season begins Feb. 16, 2001, at Daytona International Speedway. The complete 2001 schedule and all participating drivers have not been announced yet, but the fourth annual IROC at Indy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is expected to conclude the series season in August.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

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