Buddy reaches 225 in Fontana test.

Buddy Lazier showed off the speed and durability of the new Chevy Indy V8 engine during a two-day test this week at California Speedway, turning consistent laps of 223mph and topping out at 225.15mph.

The 2000 Indy Racing champion completed 570 trouble-free miles in the two-day test with Hemelgarn Racing at Fontana, preparing for the 2-mile oval's inaugural Indy Racing event next March, but waited until his 255th lap of the test in the #91 Dallara to produce his best lap, recorded at 225.15mph.

"In my entire racing career, I've never seen a brand-new motor run so well right out of the box," Lazier said. "The Chevy engine exceeded all of my expectations.

"The motor feels lighter and that helps the car handle better, but it's the power that is really impressive. Horsepower is a driver's best friend, so this Chevy engine and I are going to get along just fine."

In addition to the extended test at California Speedway, the GM-designed Chevy Indy V8 has successfully completed three 500-mile dynamometer durability runs and a track test at Phoenix International Raceway. The 2001 Indy Racing League champion, Sam Hornish Jr, was behind the wheel on that occasion, driving the #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara.

"This was a brutal test for the Chevy Indy V8 at California Speedway because the engine ran continuously at wide-open throttle," said Joe Negri, GM Racing IRL and road racing group manager, "That duty cycle simulates the demands the engine will encounter at the Indianapolis 500, and it came through without a problem.

"Now that we have validated the engine's reliability on the dyno and on the track, we will continue to work on developing more horsepower and speed. We are simultaneously producing parts so that other teams can begin testing programs with the Chevrolet engine."

Lazier's Chevy Indy V8 engine was prepared by Speedway Engine Development in Indianapolis, one of the independent engine builders that assemble and test GM engines for Indy Racing League teams.