Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Hearn returns after 3-month absence

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

Richie Hearn of Henderson took his first laps in an Indy Racing League car since breaking his right ankle in a crash during an IRL race at Kentucky Speedway in August.

Hearn turned a handful of laps in team owner Sam Schmidt's car Tuesday afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and said he expected to be ready to return to racing for the 2003 season opener in March.

"It felt good to get back in the car," Hearn said. "I wasn't sure how my foot was going to react but I had no problems whatsoever. I was flat out in five laps.

"It's still a little stiff but everyday it loosens up a little more so by the time the season rolls around, I'll be a hundred percent."

Whether or not the 31-year-old Hearn has a ride in the IRL remains to be seen. Schmidt said he would like to campaign the car with Hearn but does not yet have the funding to do so.

"The IRL deal is still up in the air ... but I haven't given up hope finding a budget for Richie. It doesn't look great because we've had to effectively double the budget from last year."

Hearn, who had six top-10 finishes in eight races for Schmidt prior to the accident, said he would like to return to the IRL next season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

"I'm ready to have my best year next year," said Hearn, whose only IRL victory came at LVMS in 1996. "I think, mentally, I'm the best I've ever been; I just need everything else to come together.

"I'm hoping Sam's deal comes together because if I can get the equipment, I know I'm going to have my best year next year."

Schmidt said he intends to field three cars next season in the more cost-effective Infiniti Pro Series and was auditioning six drivers Tuesday and today to join current driver Tom Wood in that series.

Patrick Carpentier and Paul Tracy of Las Vegas joined Michael Andretti, Dario Franchitti and series champion Cristiano da Matta as the five finalists in balloting by CART fans during the course of the season. The winner will be announced at the CART awards banquet on Nov. 22 in Miami.

Lotterer, 20, is a former test driver for the Formula One Jaguar team who will be making his CART debut in Sunday's race. A former karting champion, Lotterer also has competed in the German F3 and British F3 series.

Coyne, who has fielded at least one entry in CART every year since 1992, last entered a car in September for Darren Manning at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, England.