The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 29

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1972 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR PAGE 29 VITKY ALMOST 'MTSti FOIl A HAY- alloy Zips Swift Run At. 188.048 pulled down in the grass after spotting a small fire in his No. 89 machine. But John returned later to pass the first three phases of his driving test. Salt Walther completed his test cycle and got an official okay, despite drawing a fine for not coming into the pits during a yellow light in the morning practice.

Spre flway's Top 10 No. 14 Jim Milloy HI. Ml mph Thermo Kint Eaolo OKy. No. 1 Billy Vukonlch mph Suta- rlpe Prunt Eaale Ofty.

No. 7 Gry Boltenheulert 1IS.7M mph Sunoco McLiren Olfy. No. 4 Al Unser 115-131 mph Vlcaroy Pernolll Oily No. Gordon Johncock 114.151 mph Gull McLaren Olfy.

No. 12 Pittr Reson 111.124 mph Oulf McLaren Olfy. No. II RutMrtorO 111.741 mph Patrick Brabham Olfy. No.

a Booby Umtr lll.ltf mph Olsonlte Eaola Olfy. No. Mika Mosley 112. ooj mph vlyltar By RAY MARQUETTE Billy Vukovich almost climbed to the top of the speed mountain yesterday, but just as he was taking a heady sniff of a 182.334-mile-an-hour lap. Jim Malloy drove along and popped the bubble.

For the fifth time in the seven practice days at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Malloy and his No. 16 Thermo King Eagle ended up king of the hill this time with a Pacers, Nets Open Playoffs At I.U. Watson Offy No. mph ITT- 2 A. J.

Foyt 111.745 Sheraton Coyolo Ford. speed, tried to take the whole scintillating speed of 188.048 Gulf McLaren to nudge Al Unser's 184.087 mph in the No. 4 Victory Parnelli. Peter Revson, who holds the official Speedway -1 a and four-lap records, got up to 183.824 mph in his No. 12 Gulf McLaren, just a shade ahead of Johnny Rutherford's 183.748 mph in the No.

18 Patrick Brabham. Mike Mosley increased his "best" to 182.002 mph in the No. 98 i i a Eagle to round out the 180 mph brigade. Mario Andretti worked his No. 9 Viceroy Parnelli with the V-shaped side wings for most of the day, but came out late in the afternoon with them removed just like Al's car, which lends a little more weight to the theory that the cars will be sporting only a rear wing when qualifying time arrives next week.

Lloyd Ruby had a 173.077 mph lap in his No. 5 Wynn's Atlanta and Jim Hurtubise took his fastest ride ever in a rear -engine machine at 171.789 mph in the No. 56 Miller Coyote. Herk's quick one was counted during his 20-lap refresher test, a necessary commodity since he hasn't raced at Indy since 1968. There were seven tow-ins during the day, including a lift for John Martin who By DAVE OVERPECK Star Sportswritcr Bloomington, Ind.

The Indiana Pacers, who've been there a couple times before, and the New York Nets, for whom it's a whole new thing, start down the final path to the ABA championship this afternoon. The first of the best-of-sev-en games for the league's fifth title tips off at 1:05 p.m. in the I.U. Assembly Hall. CBS will televise the game nation- FREDDIE LEWIS thing philosophically.

"It doesn't make a darned bit of difference how fast Malloy or me or Al Unser or Gary (Betlcnhausen) goes, as soon as Bobby (Unser) gets his car back together, he'll outrun us by two miles an hour, anyway." Yesterday was a grand and glorious day for running and eight of the 24 machines that got in some practice time, exceeded 180 mph including old pro A. J. Foyt who became the 11th member of the 180 Club with a lap at 181.745 mph in his No. 2 Coyote. Eight of the month's top chargers improved their times to scramble the Top 10 ratings a bit, with Gary Betten-hausen zipping 185.759 mph in his No.

7 Sunoco McLaren for third high honors. Gordon Johncock reached 184.653 mph with his No. 24 mph. "Honest to God, I didn't know I was going that fast," said Malloy of his late-closing charge. "My crew had just given me the back of the board, which meant to come into the pits.

On the lap before, I had been shown 185. "But after I saw the back of the board, I went into that first turn so nice I know I would really have a good lap, so 1 kept on it." This, of course, is the fastest lap recorded since the Speedway opened for practice, and just a tick under Malloy's previous best notched in a Goodyear tire test last March. Vukovich, who smoothed out his approach to the No. 1 turn to up his previous best lap Probable Starters NETS Washinqton (6-7) Barry (6-7) Paultz (6-H) Roche (6-3) PACERS Brown (6-5) McGinnis (6-7) Daniels ') Lewis (6-0) Mount (6-4) a 1 1 with Indianapolis and Terre Haute blacked ouut. Pacer officials were uncertain last nicht iust what kind Taylor (6-2) or Keller (5-10) Tipofl: 1:05 p.m and Terre Telecast: CBS (Indianapolis Haute blacked out).

Broadcast: Wire, Indianapolis (and the racer norworKj BILL KELLER bench named Bill Mclchionni. He made first team all-ABA before breaking his hand on the final weekend of the season. Since returning to action against Virginia, he has been a sixth man. The pressure figures to be on the Pacer guards in this series. Lewis, Keller and Rick Mount are going to have to contain Roche, Taylor and Melchionni.

It's going to be hard to give them double-teamming help, too. The tactic worked well on occasions against Denver and Utah, but the Nets move the i 11 i i i ii REASON TO SMILE Jim Malloy wears a big grin after posting the Speedway's fastest lap of the month yesterday. The Denver (Colo.) leadfoot got his No. 16 Thermo King Eagle-Offy around the 2Vi-mile at an average speed of 183.048. (Star Photo by Frank H.

Fisse) of a crowd to expect, but at least 10,000 or 11,000 seemed probable. That still leaves plenty of pews available in the Assembly Hall. THE ASSEMBLY hall box office will open at 9 a.m. The Pacers, who are in the title round for the third time in four years, are clear, but not overwhelming, favorites over the Cinderella Nets, who'll be making their first appearance. though.

They count four second-year men and rookie John Roche on their 11-man roster. Still, Carnesecca sounds like he's poor-mouthing just a bit when he says, "I just hope it's a good series." Rookie Roche showed few signs of cracking under pressure as he led the Nets past Kentucky while second-year SLIMS TITLE ON LINE uau anu im me open man better than any team in the league. Billie Jean, Nancy To Clash Indiana got here by dump ing defending champion Utah in a thrilling seven-game se ries. But the Pacers are hard circuit in her first year with By BOB WILLIAMS Yesterday's Results ly a surprise contestant, the Slims, went on to lose One of the sport's big SINGLES service. Billie Jean held to though they finished 13 games behind the Stars in the regu Billie Jean Kino, Palm-Aire, da.

gest blockbusters Billie feated Wendy Overton, Chevy Chase, Md 4-3, 4-2. lar season. Jean King vs. Nancy Rich Nancy G'inter, San Anfielo, de. feated Rosemary Casals, San Francisco.

The same cannot be said of ey Gunter will be served 6 1, 4-2. DOUBLES New York. The Nets didn't up for Indianapolis tennis climb above .500 until the fi Francoise Durr, France-Jud ly Dalton, fans this afternoon and Australia, defeated Valerie Ziegenfuss, nal month of the season, then San Diego-Wendy Overton, 6-2, 6-1. maybe the $20,000 Virgin men Bill Paultz and Ollie Taylor have been integral parts of the Nets' charge. New York figures to present some new problems for the Pacers.

In the series against Denver and Utah, Indiana pretty much had to concentrate on stopping three men the Rockets' Ralph Simpson, Dave i and Byron Beck and the Stars' Willie Wise, Zelmo Beaty and James Jones. IT DOESN'T figure to be that way with the Nets. True, the leading scorer most nights figures to be Barry. But Roche and Paultz have both been over 30 in the playoffs and Taylor is a threat. Then there's a guy on the Karen Kranlroke, Australia-Casals feated King-Gunter.

1-2, 6-3. continued their charge with a vruciiaivcij 1U1 Mic i accia, the key man could be Brown. His final series two years ago when Indiana won its league championship still stands out as one of the great individual perform-ances in championship play. In the final three games of that series against the Los Angeles Stars, Brown went for 53, 39 and 45 points. And in the latter stages of the Utah series he showed much of that same form.

The regular season series between the Pacers and the Nets ended in a 3-3 standoff with New York sweeping the last three games after Indiana had won eight straight over two years. ia Slims tournament will stunning upset of the Eastern swap its SOS sign at the Division champion Kentucky close out the first set 6-3 and was in complete control the rest of the way. Wendy simply couldn't get the ball past Billie Jean at the net and solved B. serve for just one insignificant break in the second game of the 6-2 last set. Billie Jean took command to sweep five of the next six games and was so convincing that the frustrated Miss Overton even led the clapping after one of Mrs.

King's rifle shots into the corners. One of Billie Jean's boom Coliseum gate for the SRO Colonels in the first round Jean generally conceded to be the master on grass and Nancy on clay. They split their Top-seeded Billie Jean from two finals on the tour this Palm Aire, crushed Wen year Nancy grabbing the big dy Overton of Chevy Chase gest ($11,000) paycheck for 6-3, 6-3, and No. 2 Nancy and polished off runner-up Virginia in a seven game set that ended on the Squires' boards Thursday night. The Pacers are the chalk bet in this one on experience.

"We've got a lot of young kids who'll be in the champi- women's tennis at Dallas and from San Angelo, stung Rosie Casals of San Francisco 1 mm 1 IXS) Billie Jean the winner at Richmond. ROSIE CASALS, a two-time with unexpected 6-2, 6-2 ease in yesterday's semifinals. ing drives almost caugnt Wen i round for the first time," says Nets' Coach Lou Carnesseca. "Most of your IT PAVED THE way for the winner on the circuit this year, was way off her usual game twd old tennis rivals to get to dy squarely between the eyes near the end of the first set. Wendy was rushing the net and saw it in the nick of time.

last night in the semifinal guys have been there one or gether in today 1 p.m. Vir two times." against Mrs. Gunter. Nancy started her opponent off with a ginia Slims final for the third time in 14 tournaments on the Wendy managed to get her $292,000 spring and winter racquet on the scorcher but service break and kept the pressure on from wire to wire. Rosie never had much of a she was knocked off her feet.

AUSTRALIA'S Karen Krant- They'll slug it out over the chance to go to the net against three-set distance for the $4,000 winner's purse and 30 In fact, four of the nine who'll suit up for Indiana today have gone to the finals twice Mel Daniels, Bob Me-tollcky, Roger Brown and Freddie Lewis while Bill Keller and John a i 1 1 have been there once. Actually, the Nets aren't to the smooth-stroking Mrs. Gun zcke teamed with Casals to whip King-Gunter in the dou ter and it soon became an old- SALESMEN Nation's leading Engine and Transmission Re-manufacturer, a multi-million dollar company with branches and warehouses in midwest and south, has good opportunities available in the Indianapolis area calling on automotive trade, industrial and truck fleet accounts. Automotive background helpful, but not necessary. Salary, incentives and fringe benefits.

Send letter with brief resume to: GENERAL MANAGER Jasper Engine Transmission Exchange P.O. BOX 650, JASPER, INDIANA 47546 points on the women's Grand fashioned baseline duel. When Prix. bles semis, before the week's biggest crowd (1,000 estimat Promoter Bill Colbert she's right, that's Nancy's cup of tea and this turned out to ed), 6-2, 6-3. Judy Dalton of couldn't have asked for a more be one of those times.

Australia and Francoise Durr of France won the other semi attractive windup. Billie Jean is the defending Grand Prix champ becoming the first wo Nancy gave her opponent very few opportunities and tally bereft of championship experience. This will be the third trip for Tom Washington and Rick Barry and Gary Zcller were there once each in their NBA days. final bout from Valerie Ziegenfuss of San Diego and Miss wnai nad ngured lo be a pretty interesting match last VIRGINIA SLIMS BALLET Judy Dalton of Australia (left) and Francoise Durr of France advanced to the doubles final with straight set win. (Star Photo) ed for just 65 minutes.

JThe Nets are a young team, Nancy wrapped it up in high Overton, 6-3, 6-3. A Calas-Overton prelim for third place opens today's wind-up and the singles championship will be followed by the doubles. Indianapolis winds up the circuit for the girls who head for the European gear with two straight love games. Simpson, Grimsley To Reds; Tribe Gets Merrill. Cor rales "RUST Billie Jean bounced back Thursday's gruelling three-set spinetincler atiainst REDUCE TOO MANY CARS 300 MUST BE SOLD NOW OVER 200 WITH AIR Louis' Mary Ann Eisel to man athlete to earn more than $100,000 a year ago.

Mrs. Gunter is the leader on the Grand Prix this year with 130 points followed closely by Australia's Evonne Goolagong with 100 and Billie Jean with 99. Together, Billie Jean and Nancy have picked off six of the last eight tournament titles on the circuit this afternoon makes seven for nine. Billie Jean is the tour's top money winner with $26,200 including three tournament titles and Nancy is just a step behind with $25,975 and four titles. Nancy took four of five in one blazing stretch and then passed up Tucson, won bv wipe out Miss Overton in straight sets.

Wendy slugged Cincinnati (UPI) The Cincinnati Reds yesterday recalled pitchers Ross Grimsley MENTOR out wilh the favorite for most of the first set before a service break at 5-3 handed Most of the big names will be back in August for the Clay Court. Today's Schedule 1 o.m. Rosemary Casals vs. Wendy Overton (third place). 2 o.m.

Billie Jean Kino vs. Nancy Gunter (final). 3:30 P.m. Karen KratrrkeCasals vt-Judy Daltort-Francoisa Durr (doubles final). Mrs.

King tne onlv opening she needed. 1972 CHRYSLER and Wayne Simpson from the Indianapolis farm club and re-Instated catcher Bill Plum-mer from the disabled list. To make room for the three on the 25-man roster, the Reds optioned pitcher Jim Merritt to Indianapolis on 24-hour recall, released Pat Corrales outright to Indianapolis, where he will be a player-coach and asked waivers on relief pitcher Joe Gibbon. to A great, backhand shot Women's Pro Golf i veqaa, Nay. (AP) Second-round laadars yesterday In the Saaly Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament: Belly Burfeindt 47-70137 Judy Rankin 72-71145 Dede Ovyens 74-71145 Joanna earner 70-75145 Rainy Ahern 71-73144 Gerda Boykln 75-72147 Sharron Miller 74-7414! Gail Denonbero 74-74148 Sandra Haynie 73-75 148 Gloria Ehret 75-71148 Wendy's forehand with the latter coming to the net set up the match 's first big Mrs.

King. 3372 break. They've met numerous times miss uverton, one ot tne lop money winners on the $292,000 in the last riwario ivith ONLY 9 LEFT AT THIS LOW AUTOMATIC POWER STEERING i0WER DISC BRAKES Padres Paddle New York, 6-0 New York (AP) Nate Colbert's two-run homer in the first inning and a three-run double by Dcrrel Thomas in the fourth knocked out Jerry PRICE RADIO TIRES Koosman for the fourth straight time as the San Diego Padres defeated the New York Mets 6-0 behind Steve Arlin's four-hitter last night. BRAND NEW 1972 DUSTERS FROMS2072 BRAND NEW 1972 SATELLITES fromS2397 SAN DIEGO NEW YORK ab hi ab hi DThnmas 0 1 3 Harrelson ss 4 0 1 0 Hernandr ss 5 0 2 0 Bonwell 2b 4 0 0 0 Jeter ct alio Aqee cf 2 0 0 0 Colbert lb 4 12 2 Slaub rt 4 0 0 0 OIBrown rf 5 110 Clones II 4 0 10 Kendall 4 110 Fregosi 3b 4 0 10 Morales If 2 12 1 Kranoool lb 4 0 0 0 Campbell 3b 3 1 0 0 Grole 2 0 10 Arlln 4 0 0 0 Koosman 10 0 0 mmmmmiwim Pi. 'wwiiitwwi'iiiii Capro 0 0 0 0 Harm oh 0 0 0 0 MAndrew 0 0 0 0 Marshall ph 0 0 0 0 Sadeckl 0 0 0 0 Total 34 6 1 0 6 Total 20 4 0 San Dleqo 200 400 I 4- New Tom I I 010 0 0 00 DP San nieoo 2.

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Thomas. 3R AAmales Col II berl II). SB Hernanclei. IP Efl BB SO run (W.2,3) 0 0 5 7 losman 323 6 2 aura 2 1 1 0 SLIP BY WENDY Wendy Overton tumbles to the court during her semi-final match with Billie Jean King In the Virginia Slims tennis at the Coliseum. One of Billie Jean's moving drives caught Wendy coming to net.

Sh slipped trying to get a racquet on the ball. (Star Photo by John H. Starkey) .2 I 0 0 .111 Andrew LoM nf ltX' i inn iWiimh hi. fafaJiMojJoioilei Sedatkl i a ii 12:19. SfaaPSPHH.