Lazarro Named Mcdonald's NASCAR Busch Series Driver

OAK BROOK, Ill. (August 3, 1999) - - PPI Motorsports and McDonald's Racing have named Anthony Lazzaro as the driver for the McDonald's NASCAR Busch Series Team, which will begin competing on a full-time basis next season. The selection was made from more than 20 candidates after an extensive evaluation process, which culminated with on-track test sessions at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway last Thursday (July 29).

Lazzaro, 32, of Acworth, Ga. (suburb of Atlanta), currently drives a Formula Atlantic car for PPI. He is leading the points chase for the 1999 KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship and earned his third win of the season this past weekend (Aug. 1) in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Lazzaro's first NASCAR assignment will be to attend Friday's (Aug. 6) Busch Series Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

"We're thrilled that Anthony will be taking this step into NASCAR competition alongside PPI," said Cal Wells, owner of PPI Motorsports and the McDonald's NASCAR Busch Series Team. "Anthony is a remarkable individual in every sense, and he brings tremendous skill and maturity to his profession.

"We have had the pleasure of working with him for the past two years, and the chance to provide him with this opportunity to advance his career - as well as help us take on this new challenge -- is very exciting and fulfilling for us. Our plan is to run a few NASCAR Busch races later in the year to prepare for the next year's opener in Daytona."

Bill Korbus, McDonald's motorsports manager, said of the selection, "We're excited about beginning a new relationship with Anthony, and we are confident that he is the best driver to help McDonald's and PPI move our new NASCAR program forward. We have consistently been impressed with his outstanding professionalism and expertise - not only in his ability to drive -- but also in his awareness and understanding of his role as an ambassador for his team, his sponsors and the sport in general."

Born in Charleston, S.C. and raised in Georgia, Lazzaro started racing go-karts at the age of 11. He accepted a job as a mechanic after high school to finance his competition efforts, working through ten years of karting championships, Formula Ford wins and sports car victories, including a class win (GT3) at this year's 24 Hours of Daytona. He began racing full time in 1995 and joined PPI as a Formula Atlantic driver in 1998.

"I couldn't be happier," Lazzaro said. "The opportunity to take on the challenge of NASCAR competition with PPI and an incredible partner like McDonald's is the opportunity of a lifetime. I feel very lucky to have been at a point in my career where I could be considered seriously for this program, and it is an honor to have been selected.

"I have built my life around racing, and this is a chance to develop myself professionally in one of the most exciting and competitive racing divisions in the country with an amazing team and a truly supportive sponsor partner. It is a privilege to be a part of the McDonald's/PPI Motorsports program."

Lazzaro and his wife, Marcie, have two children - son Cory (10) and daughter Ansley (5).