Lazier will run his third different car of the season, leaving the Mid-America team after running with them in Kentucky. We didn't have the 16 car fully funded for next year, and we didn't wnat Davey to miss out on an opportunity for next season. We had a lot of growing pains this year and I take it personally that we are the only team that Davey hasn't run well with. It can't be blamed on him, but we are looking at this race as the first race of next season. But while Joe Truscelli allowed Lazier to run with Mid-America when he decided not to field a car in Kentucky, his merger with Team Xtreme meant that the contract had to be honored and Lazier had to drive the No. 16 car.
Business is business.
We re disappointed because we were looking forward to going to Texas with Jaques, and I think we would have had a shot at winning the race. We have talked to Dan about driving one of our 1999 cars before, so even if we go with Davey or John, there s a great possibility we can run both cars in the race. Meanwhile the 2001 plans for all teams concerned are still up in the air. Lazier has not signed a contract for 2001 and both his current and former teams are among those bidding for his services. Although we do not have a deal in place for next season, Jaques has been high on our list of drivers since last year.