Comments on: Buddy Lazier Deserves Better http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/buddy-lazier-deserves-better/ Speed is Life Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: jason http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/buddy-lazier-deserves-better/#comment-3451 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 04:53:15 +0000 http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/buddy-lazier-deserves-better/#comment-3451 I’ve seen each and every of Buddy’s drives at Indy and have followed his entire open wheel career. All I can say is that without a doubt he is one hell of an oval driver and he is a master at Indy (and by the way he’s still capable if someone would just give him a legitimate shot) He always made the most with what he had. Any real fan of Indy knows that if we had seen Buddy in a Penske car all these years, he would likely be a 3 or 4 time winner. Buddy was and is a class act and a great (and under-rated driver) Thanks Buddy for all the good memories, you deserved so much more but many of us fans still appreciate and recognize what you gave. You’re forever a champion!!!!

]]> By: Bill Hill http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/buddy-lazier-deserves-better/#comment-170 Mon, 18 May 2009 02:41:29 +0000 http://oilpressure.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/buddy-lazier-deserves-better/#comment-170 I agree totally. Although when the track got better today, he seemed to go backwards. Buddy has far too much talent for that.

Ask to name a race driver in 1990 and people would say Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Mears and maybe Petty. But after Mansell appearance, the F1 drivers came over in droves, displacing the American drivers to a low percentage in the 1995 Indy. One of the reasons for IRL was to provide a racing venue for American drivers.

The died in the wools did nothing but criticize IRL and much ink was wasted bashing open wheel racing. The average fan saw a bunch of furrin drivers in CART who meant nothing to them. But NASCAR was full of American drivers and the fans started to drift over.

Well, look at the Americans in the starting lineup, one in row 2, one in row 3, one in row 4, one in row 6, three in row 7, two in row 8, one in row 10, one in row 11. Only one third are American in this great American race. With most of them in struggling or one time teams.

As you say, what if Buddy had a ride in a Penske quality car? And how many other great American drivers are watching from the sidelines? As long as the competition is dominated by ‘furrin’ drivers, how does the Indy and IRL expect to recoup their popularity. Being the Indy 500 brings the crowds, not name like Doornbos, Viso, Mutoh, Matos.

Some of these drivers have developed a following, with the leader Castroneves who has a fantastic personality and exposure from Dancin with Stars.

I have been involved with racing long enough to know that checkbook wins out over skill…… and checkbook often compensates for a lack of skill. Unfortunatly, the American system doesn’t bring drivers to the car owners with big wads of cash like the furriners do.

In NASCAR, I’m rooting for my locals, Biffle and Kahne to win. In IRL racing do I care if a New Zealander beats an Englishman.

IRL has to first learn WHO their Audience is and what they want…. as NASCAR has. Until they do, they will always play second fiddle to NASCAR, which saddens me as I love open wheel racing, being a former Formula Atlantic driver….. and a person who has kept lap charts from every Indy race since 1954.

Buddy and many other American drivers deserve a quality ride.

Bill

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