Notebook: Sharp wants to keep Dismore

"It's a tough position for Mark," Sharp said. "I feel really bad for Mark to have to go through the emotions of that, period. We've been really good team mates the last four years. It's hard to have an amicable relationship on an ongoing basis. As team mates, Mark and I have gotten along real well.

"There is a lot of work being done to have Mark here if different deals come together."

Kelley Racing is sponsored by Delphi, but with a sluggish automotive market, the team said additional funds must be raised to keep it a multi-car effort.


Greg Ray was fired by Team Menard last week and replaced by Jaques Lazier. But, Lazier struggled to get up to speed in Friday's practice session, running the 13th fastest lap at 165.198 mph.

How will Lazier's new ride affect the point's race as his brother, Buddy, closes in on Sam Hornish Jr's 25-point lead?

"I watched the Nashville race and Jaques was running third and he made it impossible for Buddy to get around him," Hornish said. "Who knows, it might be a help to us."

Many of the drivers believe that Ray belongs in the IRL and is still a good driver, although they understand how team owner John Menard has been known to make sudden moves.

"I think Greg Ray still is a star," Sharp said. "When he gets back in a seat, he still will be. Greg is a very talented driver and he is going through a tough time right now."

Robbie Buhl drove for Team Menard in 1997 and won a race at Loudon, New Hampshire for the team owner that season. Buhl was also out of a ride at the end of that year.

"Surprised to see John Menard make that move? Having driven for him, the answer would be, no," Buhl said.


Buddy Lazier is as fierce a driver as any in the Indy Racing League. The defending IRL champion has closed the gap on Sam Hornish's once huge lead and now trails by 25 points.

"Buddy just won't stop," Hornish said. "Luckily, at most of the races, we've been running second or third behind him. Buddy is on a real good roll right now - a place we want to be. He has won four out of five races and still isn't in the point's lead, so that shows how close this series really is.

"We need to keep doing the same thing we've been doing all year long. It would be silly to start changing the way we approach things now."


With a little luck, Robbie Buhl could have won several races this season, including the Indianapolis 500 and the Belterra Casinos 200 at Kentucky Speedway two weekends ago.

Instead, Buhl continues to search for a win.

"Ever since Indy, we've been fast and we've had good race cars, we just haven't had the black-and-white results," Buhl said. "It's no good, but it is no reflection on how competitive we can be. In this sport, we have to persevere and be patient and your time will come. The Infiniti engine has made good power and that is a good sign."