PJ Jones to sub for injured Lazier.

PJ Jones, the son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones, will contest the great race for Team Menard after signing up to replace the injured Jaques Lazier.

Jones, an Indy Racing League newcomer, will drive the #2 Johns Manville/Menards Dallara-Chevrolet as team-mate to fellow California native Robby Gordon, who will pilot the #31 Cingular Wireless Menards/Childress entry.

"To have the opportunity to jump into this seat for my first run at the Speedway is fantastic," said the 33-year old, an open-wheel veteran with 59 CART series starts, "But you do hate to take it at someone's expense. I feel for Jaques, he's one of the good guys and he certainly deserved to be here in this car. Right now, I'm just going to keep the seat warm for him and hopefully carry the torch while he's out. This team has really come alive heading into Indy - I know this car is a rocketship."

Jones will begin the month of May as a rookie in the world's most famous race, but a rookie with plenty of experience and with a pretty good coach in his corner, as dad Parnelli is recognised as one of the best drivers ever to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"The Indy 500 has always been a part of our family - I grew up here on 16th Street," PJ said, "We've had the same room at the Speedway motel forever, and I honestly can't remember a May where I haven't been here. It's going to be quite a rush to finally suit up for practice and show what I can do, but I want to thank John Menard for giving me this opportunity. I plan on making the most of it."

While there were many drivers on the short list looking to replace Lazier, owner John Menard ultimately chose Jones for a number of reasons, not the least of which being his ability to work with Gordon and create a true two-car team.

"I've known PJ for a long time and I did a lot of homework on this selection," Menard revealed, "Not only did everyone I called in the business for recommendations say PJ was up to the task, but I noticed that he's never truly had a shot in really good equipment. And the few times he has had the tools he's been spectacular.

"I've also noticed that, for the last two years in the Indy 500, we've had a rookie win. So now Team Menard has a veteran in Robby and a hungry rookie with a family history of greatness at this track. On top of that they're good friends. Pretty good combination I'd say."

Jones' path to Indianapolis started back in the late 1980s when he began racing midgets and sprint cars in California. After beginning to win races on a regular basis in the sprint car ranks, he was hired by Dan Gurney to race in the IMSA GTP Series in 1992, where he won five races in two seasons, including an overall win in the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona.

Following his stint in IMSA, Jones moved to stock car racing, winning two races in the brand-new NASCAR Truck Series before again returning to the Gurney team to race in the CART series and develop their new programme. In 1999, Jones left Gurney's team to drive for Patrick Racing where he secured the best qualifying and racing results of his CART career, a front row starting spot at Vancouver and a second-place finish at Nazareth.

Since 1999, Jones has been racing in the NASCAR Busch Series as well as in selected USAC Silver Crown events, and finished fourth in his most recent race, the 2002 Phoenix Silver Crown event.