Lazier returns to full-time Menard drive

Lazier suffered a serious back injury at Nazareth when he collided with Tomas Scheckter and hit the wall.

"It required a lot of perseverance and determination for Jaques to get back to where he is today," said team boss John Menard. "As a driver and an athlete he is stronger than ever. All of us at Team Menard are pleased to have him back in the car for the 2003 season."

Californian Lazier joined Team Menard in 2001 winning his first career IndyCar Series victory at Chicagoland Speedway that season.

"When I originally signed as a driver for Team Menard, I told John all I wanted was a home," Lazier said. "I have found that, and I am thrilled to be back as a driver for Team Menard. It has been a difficult road to recovery with a good five months of rehabilitation but now I feel better than I did before the crash."

Meira drove the final four races of the 2002 season for Team Menard, taking pole position and finishing third at Texas Motor Speedway. He will be test driver for both Team Menard and Red Bull Cheever Racing and will work closely with the teams' new research and development partnership, Menard Cheever Technologies.