Overview

Robert "Bob" Lazier (December 22, 1938 – April 18, 2020) was an American racing driver known for competing in Formula 5000 during the 1970s and in the CART open-wheel series in 1981. He earned recognition late in his life for a brief but notable run in top-level American open-wheel racing and for establishing a racing family that included his sons Buddy and Jaques Lazier.

Racing career and characteristics

Lazier raced in a variety of road-racing categories before stepping into CART competition. In the 1970s he campaigned in Formula 5000, a popular single-seat championship that used high-displacement production-based V8 engines and attracted many drivers who would later move to higher-profile open-wheel series. In 1981 he joined the CART field, where his consistent performances earned him the CART Rookie of the Year title for that season.

Notable results

During the 1981 CART season Lazier recorded several strong finishes, including fourth place at Watkins Glen International and a fourth-place result in Mexico. He also competed in the 1981 Indianapolis 500, driving a Penske PC-7; an engine failure forced his retirement after 154 laps and he was classified 19th. These results remain among his best in top-level American open-wheel competition.

Legacy and family

Beyond his own driving, Bob Lazier is remembered as the patriarch of a racing family. Two of his sons, Buddy Lazier and Jaques Lazier, followed him into professional open-wheel racing and competed in Indy car series. The Lazier name thus continued in American racing circles through the next generation.

Personal life and death

Bob Lazier was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died on April 18, 2020, at age 81 from complications of COVID-19 during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. Accounts of his career and obituary notices can be found in several motorsport and local news sources: career summary, race results, and contemporary reports of his death news report. For additional context on his family's racing history see related profile.

  • Main categories: Formula 5000 competitor; CART driver (1981)
  • Honors: CART Rookie of the Year (1981)