Ron Hemelgarn and Buddy Lazier will reunite to compete in the 92nd Indianapolis 500, adding another confirmed combination to what is expected to be the best field for some time.
Lazier, the 1996 Indy 500 winner and 2000 IndyCar Series champion, will drive the familiar #91 Hemelgarn Johnson entry as he attempts to qualify for his 16th race at the Brickyard. He made his 500 debut in 1991 and won 'the greatest spectacle in racing' at his fourth attempt, leading 43 laps after starting fifth. Last year, he improved three positions to finish 19th in a Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry.
"I love the Indianapolis 500 and everything about the IndyCar Series," Lazier, who finished second in the 500 in both 1998 and 2000, admitted, "I lie awake at night because I want to be part of it - and now Ron has given me an opportunity to be part of it.
"We've struggled and we've had success together in the past. The two of us have experienced what it's like to finish 33rd and have a horrible day, and we've experienced winning. It's nice to be back together. It's a last-minute programme, but we're going to make the best of it. I think we'll have a strong race car and we'll be a factor on race day."
For Hemelgarn, 2008 marks his 30th year of participation in the Indianapolis 500 as either a sponsor or team owner.
"Buddy and I go back to 1989," he noted, "We've had great success together, winning races, winning a championship and winning the Indianapolis 500, and we're assembling a team to run the 500 again.
"We're all very excited about it. We have the same crew chief as our championship year, as Lee Kunzman is still there. We're looking forward to it. It's an exciting time, and hopefully we'll do well."
