1981 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Bob Lazier has passed away at the age of 81, due to complications from COVID-19.
Lazier started racing with the SCCA, in the 1970s, and after success in Formula B, Formula Super Vee and the “Mini-Indy” series, Lazier made his Indy 500 debut, in 1981, for Bob Fletcher. Lazier was voted CART Rookie of the Year that year and finished the 500 in 19th place. Lazier returned to the Speedway, the following year, but failed to qualify.
Indy 500 winner and RRDC president Bobby Rahal commented, “Sadly, we lost fellow member Bob Lazier this past week due to complications from Coronavirus. Bob’s energy on and off the track was dynamic, first as one of the key developers of Vail, Colo., and then on race tracks throughout North America. Successful in Formula B in the early ’70s, culminating with Rookie of the Year honors in the 1981 CART Series, Bob was always enthusiastic and supportive of the sport he loved so much. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Lazier family.”
In recent years, Lazier had been a regular participant/competitor in SVRA’s Indy Legends Pro-Am race series (picture top and above at Indy).
Lazier was the father of 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier and IRL driver Jacques Lazier.
