LONG BEACH, Calif. -- At age 42, Jaques Lazier is seeking a comeback. Not just for a Month of May appearance, but a full IZOD IndyCar Series season.
"Everybody's goal when it comes to being a race car driver is to go run the Indianapolis 500," said Lazier while touring the grounds of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. "I've been very fortunate to have qualified there six times, missed it two times. One we figured out was by about four feet over four laps. Unfortunately, that was the last one I went to when I was with A.J. Foyt.
"I jumped in the car late on Sunday, had speed and for some reason in qualifying we just lost it a little bit. That leaves a bad taste in your mouth."
Click it: Jaques Lazier's Indianapolis 500 stats
That was in 2010. The Colorado native, younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner Buddy Lazier and the son of former Indy car racer Bob Lazier, has replayed the scenarios continuously in his mind, which in part has led to this pursuit.
"The last year and a half I've been trying to build a program to come back," he said. "I think we're real close now and I'm hopeful we can finalize a deal and get back for the Indy 500 this year and look at growing it and hopefully be full time in the series next year."
Lazier, whose maiden Indy Lights race was in 1997 at Long Beach, made his IndyCar debut in 1999. In 56 starts, he has one victory (Chicagoland Speedway in 2001 with Team Menard). His best finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is 13th in 2000.
"Racing in general is a commitment because once it's in your blood I don't even know if a transfusion would get it out," he said. "I have a great family that's always been in racing. I have to get back."
Opening Day for the 97th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is May 11. Pole Day is May 18 and the green flag will be waved on May 26.