Former champion Buddy Lazier has first full season ride since 2002 source: irl.racing-live.com - ORS / CAPSIS International At one time, Buddy Lazier was on top of his racing world. In 1996 he won the Indianapolis 500 and in the 2000 Indy Racing League championship. His fortunes would change following a strong 2001 season where he would eventually finish second in the title chase. His long-time employer, Hemelgarn Racing, would start a steady downward spiral that left many with the age old question, "Is it the driver, or the team?" Suffering from decreasing funding and working in an increasingly competitive environment, Lazier and Hemelgarn would drop to 8th in the points in 2002, then 19th in 2003, running just 13 of the 16 races. But it was 2004 that marked the bottom for Lazier. With Hemelgarn out of the IndyCar Series on a full-time basis, Lazier would start just the Indianapolis 500, finishing 23rd in a last minute effort with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing. 2005 would be a resurgence of sorts as Lazier was reunited with capable equipment provided by the Panther Racing team. He finished fifth in the Indy 500 with Byrd Brothers/Panther Racing, and then went on to run five additional races later in the season. "I have to really say great things about the program I had last year," said Lazier. "Because, it was able to accomplish my ultimate goal - which is to have a car at the end of the race that's capable of winning." While he failed to notch any victories in 2005, Lazier did prove that even though now aged 38, he could still drive an Indy car. Of course, in the "what have you done for me lately?" world of auto racing, Lazier will have to prove himself again in 2006.
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