Las Vegas, NV: Sam Schmidt, Owner of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, announced today that he has signed Anthony Lazarro to a multiyear contract as driver of the #99 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Racing Special. Schmidt stated, "This is just another step in a very long term plan to move Sam Schmidt Motorsports into victory circle - consistently. Anthony is a great driver who still carries a daily passion for the pursuit of the win. He did a great job in the final Texas event, holding his own in the top five and running as high as second. I am looking forward to heading into the new season with my old teammate and long time friend."

The news, coming before Christmas, was most welcomed for the 1999 Toyota Atlantics Champion. After winning five out of the six oval track races in that season, Lazarro comments about being ready to go racing in the IRL. "This has been a long time coming. I am just thrilled to be heading into a full season and to be doing so with Sam makes it that much better. I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me last season to show my capabilities and to get my feet wet with the Indy Racing League. The growth in the series has been incredible and every year the competition gets that much tougher, so I appreciate the opportunity to get in now."

BG Products, long time sponsor of both Schmidt and Lazarro, will be supporting the effort again. "Our support of both Sam Schmidt and Anthony Lazarro over the past seven years has been a positive influence on our business," stated BG Products President Galen Myers. "We are pleased to be able to continue our support of these fine young men, and even more pleased that they have come together as a team. We are convinced that it is a winning combination."

The #99 car still does not have a primary sponsor for the season, but Schmidt plans to announce a variety of associates along with his plans to entertain hundreds of paralysis patients trackside at the races next season. It's an ambitious project that will have far reaching ramifications for both the team and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.