rpm.espn.com: Jaques Lazier

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Friday, December 7

Jaques Lazier
By Jack Arute
ESPN.com

Team: Team Menard
Nationality: United States

STATS

Year
Rank
Wins
Poles
Top 5
Top 10
Money
Best finish

2001 17 1 2 2 3 $633,675 1st, Chicago

Career 1 2 2 10 $1,410,975 1st, Chicago

Lazier
J. Lazier

2001 Recap
The Good: Buddy's "little brother" showed he was one of the more underrated drivers on the circuit. After starting the season without a ride, he ended up taking over one of the top seats in the Indy Racing League -- Team Menard. It took only two races in the Menard car for Lazier to be rewarded for his skills with a full-time job for 2002.

Season Highlight: After starting on the pole (the second of his career) Lazier led 116 of 200 laps at Chicagoland Speedway to earn his first career win. The victory came after an early duel with Robbie Buhl, and a race-long battle with series champion Sam Hornish Jr.

The Bad: Sitting out the IRL's first three races at Phoenix, Miami and Atlanta. After filling in for an injured Davey Hamilton and putting the car on the pole at Richmond, Va., Lazier became a hot property. He eventually landed the Menard ride, much to the distress of Sam Schmidt Racing. The late-season switch was not popular with many who felt Lazier had an obligation to Schmidt to finish out the season for the quadriplegic former driver.

Season Lowlight: After starting on pole for the inaugural SunTrust 300 at Richmond, Lazier crashed 13 laps into the race.

Key Stat: Three races with Team Menard resulted in one win, and two DNFs (Gateway and Texas).

2002 Outlook
What needs to be done: Despite the best equipment and outstanding personnel, Team Menard underachieved last season. The departure of Greg Ray following a 13th-place finish in Kentucky started a team overhaul that included more than the driver. Engine guru Butch Meyer has taken on additional responsibilities and, together with Jaques, must add consistency to Team Menard's repertoire. Owner John Menard will never be satisfied until he has an Indianapolis 500 win.

Prediction: Lazier gives Menard his best shot at an Indy 500 title since the death of Scott Brayton. Lazier's experience in carrying inferior equipment and extracting the most out of it will benefit this team. With some shrewd race conservation, this team could convert its reputation for speed into a number of quality 2002 wins.

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