INDIANAPOLIS – Bob Lazier, the 1981 CART rookie-of-the-year and the father of 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier, has died after being losing his fight with COVID-19.

He was 81 years old.

The native of Minneapolis, Minn., began taking part in SCCA club racing in the 1970s, followed by Super Vee and Mini Indy competition before stepping up to Indy car racing.

He tackled the CART season in 1981 and qualified for his lone Indianapolis 500 that same season, starting 13th in a car fielded by Bob Fletcher. He finished 19th after his engine failed late in the race.

RIP Bob Lazier. Nobody more passionate or supportive of @indycar than this ‘81 @IMS #Indy500 vet. Always had a smile & an encouraging word when I saw him on pit lane or when he called to check in. I’m hoping the 3rd generation Lazier, Flinn, can run the 500 one day in his honor!

— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) April 19, 2020

A consistent season, which included fourth-place finishes at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l and Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico, resulted in a ninth-place championship effort and top rookie honors.

Lazier was back at Indianapolis the following season for another go at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, but Gordon Smiley was killed on the opening day of qualifying his son Buddy Lazier begged his father to give up the sport. He did, walking away and never returning.

While he never competed again as a driver, he supported Buddy Lazier’s efforts in the sport. Not only did the younger Lazier claim the Indianapolis 500 crown in 1996, he also won the Indy Racing League title in 2000.

Bob Lazier’s youngest son, Jacques, also embarked on a racing career that saw him compete in seven Indianapolis 500s and earn one win at Chicagoland Speedway in 2001.

RIP to my friend Bob Lazier. A great guy from Vail CO, Super Vee Champion driver, Rookie of Year Indianapolis 500 1981, family man, hotelier, ocean treasure hunter, skier. #reallygoodguy

— Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) April 18, 2020