Thursday, April 16, 1998 | 5:33 a.m.
By MIKE HARRIS
AP Motorsports Writer.
Buddy Lazier didn't jump up and down and holler in 1996 when he won the Indianapolis 500. And he didn't shout in frustration when he finished fourth last year, just 10.33 seconds behind winner Arie Luyendyk.
But Lazier is excited about returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a chance to become the 16th driver to win the race more than once. And he's upset about stories the last two years suggesting he would abandon the Indy Racing League for the rival CART series.
It was widely reported that Bob Lazier, Buddy's father and a former driver, was canvassing CART teams seeking a ride for his son in the more established FedEx Championship Series.
But Buddy denies that was the case.
"I can't stress how excited I am about the IRL," he said. "That's why that other bit of business I can't get off my mind. It's very disappointing.
"I fully anticipate driving at Indianapolis for the next 10 or 15 years. ... And I think what's most exciting is everybody's got equipment that can win, and at a reasonable price."
The 30-year-old Lazier was alluding to the IRL's formula of providing cars and engines built to exacting specifications and provided at set prices. The all-new chassis and engines were introduced in 1997, and are more reliable after a year of development.
After 24 drivers qualified within one second of each other for the IRL race last month at Phoenix International Raceway, Lazier said it wouldn't surprise him if there were 20 drivers capable of winning the Indy 500 of May 24.
But he hopes fewer than that will be competitive once the race starts.
"I like to think some of us have a little better chance than others," he said.
A big part of Lazier's story when he won at Indy was his ability to overcome pain. He had broken his back a month earlier in a wreck in Phoenix and could barely walk to or from his car at the speedway.
"Knowing what he was going through, I still find it hard to believe he was able to block out the pain and win that race," team owner Ron Hemelgarn said. "But Buddy is a very determined guy."
Lazier still has pain and might undergo surgery at the end of the season.
"I got confirmation recently that the technology I'm waiting for now is available," Lazier said. "It's a radio frequency that allows you to have a fusion without putting metal in your back.
"That's just coming to light now, and I'm pretty excited about it."
The surgeon who worked on Lazier's back after the crash is one of the doctors testing the new technique.
"As soon as he feels he has perfected it, we'll do it," Lazier said. "It will be actually within the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, pain and all, Lazier and his Hemelgarn Racing team will try to win the Indy 500 - again.
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