Lazier lands full-time IRL drive

Former Indy Racing League champion and Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier will return to the series full-time this year with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing

Tim Redmayne Mar 2, 2006, 11:35 AM

Lazier, who had selected outings in a third Panther racing car last season, drove for the team in the 2004 Indy 500 and will pilot the number five car this year.

"We've had continuing discussions with Buddy since he drove for us in 2004," said team co-owner Dennis Reinbold. "We are thrilled to have his championship caliber rejoin the team because we know he's committed to succeeding and that he's willing to drive the wheels off of the race car to do it."

Lazier reckons he will have enough time to reacquaint himself with the team before the first race at Homestead on March 29.

"We have almost a month of hard work until our first race and ample time to test at Homestead this weekend," he said. "We look forward to a strong season and ramping up to score podium finishes on a regular basis."

The team will make their track debut today at the IRL's official test session at Homested.