Lazier to serve as UI Homecoming Parade grand marshal

Buddy Lazier, the 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion and driver of the No. 91 University of Iowa Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone car, will serve as grand marshal for the 2014 UI Homecoming Parade.

Lazier, and the No. 91 Wynn Institute car, will take part in the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 10 beginning at 5:45 p.m. in downtown Iowa City.

Lazier Partners Racing has teamed with the Wynn Institute to raise awareness for the groundbreaking research happening on the UI campus. Lazier drove the No. 91 car, complete with Wynn Institute and Tigerhawk logos, at the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

Jacqueline Lazier, the 12-year-old daughter of Buddy and Kara Lazier, was born with a rare eye disorder called aniridia, which is characterized by a complete or partial absence of the colored part of the eye. Aniridia, combined with glaucoma, has caused Jacqueline to lose vision in her right eye. The Wynn Institute is conducting research on aniridia and glaucoma as well as other inherited eye diseases.

“I can’t say enough about the Wynn Institute,” Lazier says. “Ed Stone is remarkable. He is absolutely brilliant. He has assembled a very smart group, and I’m very impressed and excited about what the future holds. There is no question that they are the smartest of their kind and it’s right there in Iowa City.”