Lazier

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Greg Ray and Buddy Lazier are the only drivers to start all 12 Indy Racing League races at Texas Motor Speedway.

Despite their experience at the high-banked 1½-mile track, Ray and Lazier started in the back-half of the 22-car field for the IndyCar Series' Bombardier 500 on Saturday night. Ray, in his first season as a driver-owner, started 15th and Lazier was 20th.

"The car is really good, the balance is fine, we are just as slow as we can be, and there is no getting around it at this place," said Lazier, whose six top-10 finishes at Texas include both races last year. "The grid shows where we need to improve."

Lazier was in one of six Chevrolet-powered cars in the race. All of the Chevys started at the back of the field, in spots 16-21.

The only car that started behind the Chevys was Jaques Lazier in a Toyota machine. He didn't make a qualifying run after replacing Airton Dare, who was injured in a crash during practice Thursday night.

Neither Lazier or Ray has won at Texas. But Ray, who lives in nearby Plano, clinched the 1999 IRL title when he finished third at the track in the season finale.

"This has got to be so awesome for the fans, because it's so much fun as drivers," Ray said.

Scott Sharp and Robbie Buhl both made their 11th Texas starts. Sharp had won twice with three other top-five finishes, and his $651,900 in winnings were the most at Texas going into Saturday night's race.

Polesitter Tomas Scheckter made his second start at TMS, both from the pole. Scott Dixon, Tora Takagi and IRL season points leader Tony Kanaan -- all made their TMS debuts. They were among six first-time Texas drivers.

Texas hosts two IRL races each season, the first race after the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale. This year's finale is Oct. 12.

Andretti's replacement

	Wheldon

With Michael Andretti concentrating on car ownership, he's been replaced in the cockpit by rookie driver Dan Wheldon.

Andretti retired from driving after the Indianapolis 500 and a record 42 CART wins. He is now overseeing a three-car Andretti Green Racing team in the Indy Racing League.

Wheldon was in just his third IRL race, having finished last season with two races for Panther Racing, including the finale at Texas. He went to the Andretti team during the offseason, waiting for his chance.

"It is definitely an honor to take over for Michael," Wheldon said. "I think he's one of the best drivers America has ever seen. He's probably one of the best in the world."

The other Andretti Green racers Saturday night were season points leader Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta, both in their first Texas races.

Man on the moon
Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, was the grand marshal for the prerace activities and gave the command for drivers to start their engines.

Cernan waved the checkered flag for air races at Alliance airport just south of the speedway, then went to the track for the first time Saturday.

"I'm very impressed. When I leave here tomorrow, I'm going to fly over it and take a good hard look," Cernan said. "I knew it was here. I live in Houston and have a daughter that lives in Fort Worth, but I've never been here.

"Auto Racing is the biggest spectator sport and I think the only thing that may overshadow it is Roger Clemens pitching against Kerry Wood with Sammy Sosa batting," he said.