SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Running a few laps behind for much of his time in the race, Buddy Lazier’s day ended early Sunday during the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Lazier, driving the 44-car sponsored by Pacers point guard and Indianapolis native Jeff Teague, slammed into the Turn 2 wall on lap 122. The single-car accident in Turn 2 cut the race short for Lazier, the oldest driver in the 33-car field.
Lazier officially finished in 29th, ahead of only Conor Daly, Jack Harvey, pole-sitter Scott Dixon, and Jay Howard. He turned 118 laps, his best at 222.214 mph.
He was then transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital for “mild chest discomfort.”
“Being in Indiana, knowing about the 500, something cool to be a part of,” Teague said earlier this week. “Give him a helping hand and he can help me out with some sponsorship for my building, the facility that we’re putting it up called The Factory. It’s a great partnership.
“To see [my number, 44] on the car, in the Indy 500, the biggest event in Indianapolis, it’s crazy.”
Teague’s family has been involved this week. Jeff, though, made his first visit to the track on Friday for Carb Day. He enjoyed his day hanging in the team garage and in pit lane. But he knew it was take a lot for Lazier’s 44 car to end up in Victory Lane.
“Hopefully he can pull off one of those miracle runs,” Teague said.
Read more: Teague opening athletic facility in August, sponsoring Lazier’s Indy 500 entry
Damage to Buddy Lazier’s car #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/O6JINKjqqK
— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) May 28, 2017
Added Lazier: “How many folks are total fans of the Indy 500 and total fans of the Indiana Pacers? How do you miss? You can’t miss. It’s a really nice thing and it was good for our team. The reality of it is we both love Indiana, the Indianapolis area, and anything that any one of us can do to give back to our fans is a good thing.”