Bob Lazier, CART's rookie of the year in 1981 and the father of IndyCar drivers Buddy Lazier and Jaques Lazier, died Saturday, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced. He was 81.
Bob Lazier made his lone Indianapolis 500 start in 1981, starting 13th and finishing 19th, dropping out after 154 of 200 laps due to engine failure. He finished ninth in the CART standings that season, with career-best finishes of fourth on the road courses at Watkins Glen and Mexico City.
Lazier planned to run the 500 again the following year but decided not to qualify after his family expressed concerns following Gordon Smiley's fatal crash during the first day of qualifying.