Ray out, Lazier in at Menard

Ray, who won the 1999 IRL crown and holds the record for most pole positions in the American oval series, decided to walk away from John Menard's team on Wednesday. In response, Menard's team headhunted Lazier from former racer Sam Schmidt's outfit.

Schmidt said he was sad with the way Lazier had been tempted away from his team.

"We took a driver that wasn't even on John Menard's radar map and put him in a position to replace a championship driver," said Schmidt. "I am not pleased with John Menard and I am disappointed in Jaques.

"The Lazier family has always been known for keeping their word. You take a look at Buddy who has stuck with Hemelgarn all these years, even through the lean times and I thought that that's what we were building with Jaques."

Lazier was plucked from the wilderness by Schmidt after his previous driver David Hamilton suffered terrible leg injuries in a crash at Texas. Anthony Lazzaro is expected to take Lazier's place.