The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 42

Sports The Indianapolis Star 8-11 12-24 Business Classified. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1990 John Bansch Chassey blasts diffuser rule after crashing Latest run a big step in Wilther's return bid By ROBIN MILLER STAR ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR It was the same old song and dance Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The new cars were humming right along and the old ones were pretty much out of step. Team Penske, the Andretti and Arie Luyendyk made rater 1-Cf Jpi'p 'C 1 vA -j a -a 0 PAY'S TOP SPEEDS 1. Emerson Fittipaldi (1) 223.286 Marlboro Penske 90Chevy 2.

Rick Mears (2) 222.546 Pennzoil Penske 90Chevy 3. Michael Andretti (3) 221.697 MartHavoline LolaChevy 4. Mario Andretti (6) 221.233 MartHavoline LolaChevy 5. Arie Luyendyk (30T) 221.174 Domino'sProvimi LolaChevy 6. Bobby Rahal (18) 219.207 STPKraco LolaChevy 7.

Al Unser Jr. (5Tj 219.197 Valvoline LolaChevy 8. Panny Sullivan (7) 216.570 Marlboro Penske 90Chevy 9. Geoff Brabham (21) 215.658 Mac Tools Truesports LolaJudd 10. Scott Brayton (22) 215.559 AmwaySpeedway LolaCosworth they weren't ready and, with only 50 inches of boost (Buicks get 55), we ran 210 right out of the box," said Chassey, who was only running 197-plus when he crashed.

"Then we came back with the diffuser, it totally unhooked the car and we spun. "You cannot take a car designed for one thing and Just change it you're putting a crutch on them. With these tunnels, these cars just push and push." Chassey's crash follows those of Jim Crawford, Billy Vukovich III and Buddy Lazier. Johnny Rutherford also glanced off the wall in his '89 Lola. "If you took these tunnels and bolted them on a '90 car, the '90 car would be junk, too," continued Chassey, who may be getting an '89 Lola today.

"I know a couple of '89 cars are going pretty good, but Just about everyone else with older cars is struggling. "If you tie the front end down in one of these old cars, the back end comes out. Today, it Just took off it was gone." Rocky Moran, driving an '89 LolaCosworth for Dick Hammond, couldn't get past 206-plus See BLAST Page 4 running over 220 miles per hour look pretty easy on the fourth of practice fof the 74th Indianapolis 500. But while the. obvious contenders were cutting through a pretty stiff wind without much difficulty, the little teams continued to struggle.

For the fifth time this month, a late-model Indy-car met up with the speedway's walls. Steve Chassey, driving the ATEC '87 LolaBuick. lost traction heading through the third turn and pounded the outside concrete destroying the right side of the car. "I'm OK, but I'm fumed Chassey following his accident. "These tunnels are Junk, they've destroyed these cars and they're totally unbalanced.

"Jack Beckley and Dick King (USAC officials) don't feel there's any problem, but I've got news for them they're wrong." Chassey was referring to the new rules, which incorporate 2-inch diffusers at the tunnel exits of all old cars. This was done by USAC and CART to slow the cars down. A few weeks ago, some teams petitioned USAC to drop the diffuser rule in the interest of safety and competition. But USAC said there was no evidence of any handling problems during the first two CART races because of this rule. "We tested here back in April without the diffusers because STAR STAFF PHOTO JEFF ATTEBERRY The speedway pits and tower terrace stands were brimming with activity on balmy Tuesday.

Colts far from settling quarterback dilemma Jimmy Rodgers, 47, was fired by the Boston Celtics after the Celts did not advance past the first round of the NBA playoffs in his two seasons as head coach. ALT WALTHER passed another barrier Tuesday in his quest to once again compete in the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. To most people, Walther's latest accomplishment of driving a steady 10 laps between 190 and 195 mph was no major achievement. To the 42-year-old driver who last raced here in 1979, Jt was a big step in his comeback. Before Walther can be in position to take the green flag, he must travel another 10 laps between 195 and 200 under the watchful eye of veteran drivers, then qualify for the race.

"I think we can make the show," Walther said Tuesday, between appearances on the track. "I've been over 200 in this car, I know it will run around 212 and then we'll have to hustle a little bit more." The slowest car to make the field in 1989 ran qualifed at 213.105 mph. The experts say the last qualifier this May will have to cover the four laps at about the same speed. If Walther is a starter in the No. 77 white, 1987 PenskeCos-worth entered by his 77-year-old father George, it will be one of the major stories of the month.

Phil Krueger qualified the car in 1989, but was later bumped by Pancho Carter. Fifteen months ago, Walther entered a New Jersey rehabilitation center in an attempt to overcome his addiction to mor-phfne. He developed the "habit'' after surviving a terrifying front straightaway crash moments after taking the green flag in 1973. Walther's race car stopped upside down. His feet were extended through the nose of the machine, he suffered numerous severe burns and lost a portion of the fingers on his left hand.

Since the accident, Walther has undergone 107 operations. "I had two holes in my chest and morphine dripped constantly through the openings into my body," he said in describing his road to addiction. "They would get me off of it for a while, I would go race and then head back to the hospital for more surgery. I didn't realize 1 was addicted." Since his last ride at Indianapolis, Walther's life has traveled downhill. His problems were numerous.

His good days few. "I was saying and doing stupid things," Walther said as he re-. fleeted on the last decade. "I thought I was some super human after coming back in 1974. I found out I made mistakes just like everybody else.

I always did things in excess. I never made little mistakes, I always made great big ones." Walther described his three months in the rehab center "as a miserable time. They made you get up at 6 o'clock, they made you take psychological tests, say 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' and lift weights. "I can smile a little again now and I'm back on the right track. Once you admit you are at the bottom, you can start climbing back toward the top.

Thank God, I'm not addicted to anything. The past 15 months have been the best 1 5 months since 1978 or 79." Walther first returned to the speedway last fall. He ran in the 1 94 range before touching the wall. He returned last month for rookie orientation. "I drove too fast, I was a little erratic," he said.

"Ten years ago, I would have walked out. At 42, 1 think more than I did in the past." The Walthers intend to run in the Michigan 500 in August, but are not certain if they will attempt to qualify for any other events. Salt participated in the grand prix hydroplane circuit last summer and may give it another shot this year. "I'd like to do it again," said the man who once drove unlimited hydroplanes. "But first of all, I want to drive race cars.

That's the only thing that really Celtics coach, assistant fired in shakeup after loss to Knicks By ED GOLDEN ASSOCIATED PRESS Boston The Boston Celtics, stung by their early exit in the NBA playoffs, reacted quickly Tuesday by firing Coach Jimmy Rodgers only two days after an improbable loss to the New York Knicks. "This has been a very difficult and trying time for all of us," General Manager Jan Volk said. "We felt that we needed to make a change, and in the interest of all concerned we felt it necessary to do so as quickly as possible. "Jimmy has been an integral part of our success throughout the '80s, and hopefully this parting will not diminish recognition of his contributions." Rodgers would only say that he was shocked and refused further comment. Also fired was assistant coach Lanny Van Eman.

Chris Ford, an assistant and former Celtic player was retained and will be considered as a replacement for Rodgers, Volk said. The shakeup came Just 48 hours after the Celtics were ousted from the NBA playoffs the first time since 1952 they By MIKE CHAPPELL STAR STAFF WRITER A bit of haze continues to swirl around the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback picture. While the status of No. 1 draft pick Jeff George appears firm most expect him to hold the starting job when the regular season opens Sept. 9 at Buffalo the same cannot be said for Chris Chandler and Jack Trudeau.

Tuesday afternoon, Mike Sullivan, the agent for Chandler, reaffirmed a stance that hints a protracted holdout looms if the Colts refuse to adequately extend and escalate Chandler's current contract. Chandler, who boycotted last week's mini-camp in protest over what he felt were stagnant negotiations, is scheduled to make $195,000 in 1990 and $300,000 in 1991. He's seeking a contract comparable to Trudeau, who will earn a base salary of $625,000 in '90 and $775,000 in "91. It's believed the Colts are balking at giving a Chandler a huge signing bonus designed at equalizing his contract over the next, two years with Trudeau's. "We have tried to talk numbers on an extension, but we are far apart," General Manager Jim Irsay said Tuesday evening.

"It's possible we'll end up doing nothing in terms of an extension." As far as Trudeau is concerned, Irsay admitted he'd consider swinging a deal involving his disgruntled quarterback if the price was right. Last week, the Los Angeles Rams obtained backup quarterback Chuck Long from Detroit for what was believed to be a third-round draft pick. Trudeau's price tag would be somewhat higher. "Some teams have shown an interest and we have sent films," Irsay said, "but there have been no offers. Right now there is nothing going on to any degree." One league source linked Trudeau to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are desperately seeking a quality backup for VInny Testaverde.

Tampa Bay coach Ray Perkins said, "We are aware he (Trudeau) is available and that's where that's at. A lot of other players are also available." Perkins said the Bucs are searching for a young backup "with three to five years of experience who can fit right in." Trudeau has a four-year pro career. were eliminated in the first round in successive seasons. The Celtics were swept in the first round last season by the Detroit Pistons, who went on to win the NBA championship. "I'm interested, of course," said Ford, a Celtics assistant since 1983 who was head coach for four victories in Rodgers" absence during the season.

"At least I wasn't fired today," Ford said. "I Just don't know what they want to talk about yet." "I didn't expect the coach to be let go," said center Robert Parish, adding he had expected some player changes. And Kevin McHale, a member of three NBA championship teams along with Parish and Larry Bird, also said he was very surprised. In two regular seasons under Rodgers, the Celtics were 94-70, but they were 2-6 in playoff games. Ice, Muskegon have a lot in common SCORES NBA PLAYOFFS Detroit 112 New York 77 Phoenix 104 LA Lakers 102 Portland 122 San Antonio 112 AMERICAN LEAGUE Oakland 5 New York 0 Chicago 4 Toronto 1 Minnesota 6 Cleveland 5 Kansas City 10 Texas 5 Milwaukee 7 Detroit 5 California 6 Baltimore 0 Seattle 2 Boston 1 NATIONAL LEAGUE Chicago 10 Atlanta 8 Pittsburgh 10 San Diego 2 Montreal 9 Los Angeles 1 New York 4 San Francisco 1 Houston 3 Philadelphia 2 AAA ALLIANCE Buffalo 8 'ndians 8 The Ice won 30 of 41 games and earned 65 points in the Coliseum this season, tying Kalamazoo for home victories.

The Lumberjacks won 29 games at Muskegon and had the best road record in the IHL 26 victories. The Ice were tied with Kalamazoo with 23 road triumphs. The series may be a case of Muskegon's firepower against the Ice defense. "They're a real good team," Sutter said, "It's a real contrast to ours. They rely on offense and every one of their (three) lines has two guys with lots of experience.

"They have one big line of (Dave) Michayluk, (Jock) Callander and (Jamie) Leach." That unit combined for 102 of Muskegon's 389 goals this season, tops in tiie league. Twenty- By BILL PICKETT STAR STAFF WRITER Muskegon, Mich. There wasn't a lot to separate the top teams in the East and West divisions of the International Hockey League this season. The Muskegon Lumberjacks, defending Turner Cup champions, topped the East with 55 victories and 116 points. That mark also was good enough to capture the Huber Trophy symbolic of the IHL's best regular-season record for the third straight year.

The Indianapolis Ice had a 31 -point lead over Salt Lake City in winning the West with 53 triumphs and 114 points. As a result, those two teams will face off tonight (6 o'clock, WNDE-AM 1260) in Game 1 of the best-of-seven league championship roid. Game sites will be alternated. The Ice will be host in the Fairgrounds Coliseum Friday and for Game 4 Monday. Game 2 will be at Muskegon Saturday.

Although the season records for the finalists are similar, Muskegon had the advantage in" eight confrontations during the year, compiling a 6-2 mark against the Ice. "The first five games we played against Muskegon were all tied going into the third period, though," recalled Ice coach Darryl Sutter Tuesday Just before his team departed for Muskegon. Five of the eight meetings were decided by one goal, two of them in overtime (the Ice split the OTs). On the Lumberjacks' Ice, though, Indianapolis lost four times. two of those goals came on the Lumberjacks' league-leading power-play, which made good on 25 percent of its opportunities with the man advantage.

At the other end, the Ice relied on the IHL's best defense and led the league in killing penalties, neutralizing opponents 83.5 percent of the time while shorthanded. Sutter plans to go with six defensemen tonight but Cam Russell isn't expected to be among them. He's with the parent Chicago Blackhawks for their playoff series against Edmonton. "Muskegon relies on the fast break, we've got to take that away from them," Sutter explained. "They gamble a lot like what Salt Lake did." The Ice won their semifinal See ICH Page 6 makes me happy." 3 4.