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Billy Ballew of Ballew Motorsports confirmed
Monday afternoon that they have signed Buddy Lazier to their
race team. Lazier, the former IRL regular and Indy 500 champion,
will compete in at least one Craftsman Truck Series race later
this year at the Texas Motor Speedway. The team's current driver
since last year is Shane Hmeil, who has moved on to the Busch
Grand National Series, but still races for Ballew in the trucks.
"We're very excited to have Buddy aboard for
the Texas race and hope to have a deal worked out soon to have
him drive more races for us in the future," Ballew said Monday.
Lazier participated in a test at the Lowe's
Motor Speedway last week which was successful. " We were really
very pleased with Buddy's performance at the test," Ballew
noted. " For not having much experience in a stock car other
than the IROC Series, I must say I was impressed".
Impressed, indeed! Ballew followed the test by
signing Lazier to drive when the trucks make their stop at the
Texas Motor Speedway. As for any races in the future, Ballew
says that it is just Texas for now. Texas is one of eight races
that will conflict with Hmeil's duties in the Busch Grand
National Series, so Lazier might just be the substitute driver
for those eight races. "The details have not all been worked out
just yet, but our main focus is Texas at this point."
Also in the works are a sponsorship deal for
Lazier, and possibly a second truck for Ballew. "Right now we're
not in a position to run a second truck, but based on Buddy's
performance for us in Texas, we could look at a second team."
Ballew Motorsports had Kerry Earnhardt signed
to drive this year, but released him after the season-opener in
Daytona. |
