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Lazier Burns Racing Is A Little Team That Never Gives Up

Buddy Lazier during final practice for the 2016 Indianapolis 500. [John Wiedemann Photo]

Buddy Lazier during final practice for the 2016 Indianapolis 500. [John Wiedemann Photo]

By Joe Jennings

INDIANAPOLIS – Lazier Burns Racing is a small team that never gives up, as they follow the message conveyed in the iconic book –The Little Engine That Could – that shows if you work hard enough you will succeed. Even though Las Vegas book makers opine that driver Buddy Lazier’s odds of winning the Indianapolis 500 are 100:1, this situation doesn’t concern the 1996 race winner, who fully believes the improbable can happen. “I wouldn’t bet the house, but it would not be a horrible bet,” he noted.

Lazier qualified the Lazier/Burns Racing Chevrolet at 222.154 miles per hour, which puts him into the 32nd starting spot, but he is not concerned. “I don’t feel like our car is a back-row race car. I have won from dead last before in an IndyCar race,” the well-spoken driver said. “The only disadvantage is you are starting a half-lap behind the winners, so you need to hustle not to get a lap down. I think we will be moving up quickly.”

Regarding his team’s structure, Lazier explained, “We started at end of last year putting a couple key individuals and people in place in new positions, and now we feel like we have no excuse if we are not getting enough out of our resources. One really key person is Larry Curry (team manager, engineer and strategist). He has done a really good job getting us organized and now our program, after a couple of years, is able to build on itself. For how small we are, our program is amazing, keeping in mind our minimal resources, and we now have a really good race car. Without a teammate, you have to rely upon yourself for data and any setback is costly and can hurt you.

“I think I have a strong race car and may well surprise a few people on race day. Maybe we will even embarrass some bigger efforts (teams) on race day.”

Another addition to the team that is paying dividends is Indiana businessman Thom Burns, who was involved in IndyCar racing some 20 years ago. He’s brought much-needed resources to the team, helping them grow.

Lazier missed the 2015 race due to lack of resources but with the team’s so-called short program, they have succeeded on three occasions, learning as they grow. According to the veteran driver, the team is progressing from decent to good and maybe even better.

The Lazier family is well-known in the business circles in the Vail, Colorado, area. In particular, their boutique hotel, the Tivoli Lodge, is ranked No. 1 in hotels in the Rocky Mountain state by Trip Advisor, according to Lazier.

While Lazier looks after his family’s business interests, he has his eye on expanding the IndyCar program beyond the Indianapolis 500. But it depends on how he fares in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Keeping in mind the message imparted in The Little Engine That Could, upsets do occur and Lazier would like to taste the milk again as it has been 20 years since doing so, and he’s thirsty.

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