The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 18

Page 4B Friday, April 25, 1997 ledectioB hembles. engineer Auburn coach pelts LSU with glowing terms ill If; Explosive: "They're explosive because they ran hit efvn IMP' Richard Petty, inducted Thursday into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega, signs an autograph for Steve Johnson of Carrollton, Ga. in the garage area of Talladega Superspeedway. By Joe Medley Star Sports Wnter Auburn baseball coach Hal Baird usually plays the analyst, prone to avoid glowing words for low-charge terms. This weekend's series at top-ranked LSU awoke the street-corner newspaper boy in Baird, who put some "extra extra" into his pre-series comments.

Awesome: LSU (40-7) has hit 1 29 home runs, "which is an awesome number even in the offensive era with aluminum bats," Baird said. Never would' ve thought: "LSU lost everyone but two people from last year. This time last year, I never would' ve thought they'd be where they are. If anyone was ever going to catch LSU, I thought 1997 would be the year." Bucking for a repeat of its 1996 College World Series title, LSU (40-7) again sits atop the Southeastern Conference West Division, a six-team division that's stronger than most conferences. At 17-4 in the SEC, LSU holds a three-game edge on second-place Auburn (39-7, 14-7) with three SEC series to play.

Impossible: "Even if we were to win two out of three, which is hard enough to do, it wouldn't do us much good in terms of winning the said. "We'd still be two games out with two weeks to play. We'd have to do the impossible and sweep." Three sellout crowds are expected for this weekend's series, which starts at 7 p.m. today in the Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. LSU, 28-3 at home, sold season tickets.

Hostility: "LSU's crowds impact the players and the umpires because the noise is on you from the first pitch," Baird said. "It's something the kids like, though, and I hope we can thrive on the hostility." It's a classic matchup with fourth-ranked Auburn, the SEC leader with a 3.97 team ERA, against LSU's home-run machine. XL. Viv Like Hall, "Big Daddy" Garlits found it difficult to describe how he felt about being included in such a prestigious group. Now 65, Garlits recalled his beginnings in Tampa, where in the 1940s he often received speeding tickets from testing the engines he'd built.

"It's beyond my wildest dreams," he said. Likewise, Mears never thought one day he'd be enshrined at Talladega. He was born in Wichita, Hueytown's Doug Reid III talks with reporters after failing to take one of 25 qualifying spots for Saturday's Busch Grand National Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. He will trv again 7 'flT i tt .1 Trent PennyThe Anniston Star a quiet, friendly sort who was intensely competitive behind the wheel. He began racing motorcycles across the deserts of Southern California as a boy, a far cry from Indy's Gasoline Alley.

And now, like the others, he's in the Hall of Fame. "I never dreamed of making a living by racing at Indy," Mears said. "I thought that was way out of our league. I was telling my wife last night, this is about like getting a fifth Indy win." of speed hood and under the car. "We found a little, but not quite as much as we'd like," he said.

"It was one of those touchy deals where we were in so bad shape we changed a bunch of stuff, and now we really don't know what helped us or what hurt us. "I'm pretty sure we'll get in the race. I think it's more the motor than the race car. Ourj-estrictor-plate motor program is not what it should be right now. We might even put the old motor back in." HIS OWN MAN: Kyle Petty went through Busch qualifying for the first time at Talladega in an attempt to help the New World Order team get established to make a move to Winston Cup.

He qualified 24th with a speed of 189.421. Later that night his father, Richard, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, but Kyle doesn't feel any sense of urgency to excel in this particular race because it comes during such an auspicious occasion. "I learned a long time ago outside things don't affect me too much," he said. "I don't care if the President's coming, it's not gonna make me run any faster." I Y' i 1 Press' "Driver of the Decade" after winning 20 races in the 1980s. Baker whose father, also in the Hall dominated Talladega Superspeedway, winning three Winston Cup races and 19 Cup races overall.

Perhaps like no other, Hall used his engineering background to design the "Chaparral," his legendary racing machine, and the first automatic transmission for racing engines. warned: Be aware By Phillip Tutor Star Sports WnMr BIRMINGHAM Without exception, Jim Hall's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a no-brainer. He is a legendary innovator who used his mechanical engineering training to revolutionize road racing. Yet there Hall stood Thursday morning, glancing at the other members of the Hall of Fame's 1997 class. His words came with emotion.

'Jo tell you the truth," Hall began, "I'm a bit awed by the people at table. This group, to be included in it, is a bit humbling." If nothing else, Hall's heartfelt statement signified the wide-ranging talent of the 1997 class. Three inductees came from NASCAR. One was a standout in Indy cars. A fifth is a legendary drag racer.

The sixth. Hall, was one of racing's all-time minds. Together, their induction Thursday gave the Hall of Fame even more reason to tout its wide-ranging talent from all facets of motor sports. If anything, the 1997 class is diverse, each with his own set of mind-boggling credentials, "They've always told me that they can judge you by the company you keep," said inductee Buddy Baker, a legendary NASCAR driver. "I'm pretty proud of this group right here." The 1997 class gives the Hall of Fame 69 inductees, taken from more than 3,000 nominations overall.

Votes were submitted from 150 media members world-wide. A quick look at the six inductees: Richard Petty, NASCAR. Won ,200 Grand NationalWinston Cup races and 127 poles. Claimed the Daytona 500 seven times. The late Ralph Earnhardt, NASCAR.

In a 23-year career in NASCAR Modified. Sportsman and Grand National races, Earnhardt won 350 times. Don Garlits, drag racing. The winner of 144 national drag racing events, Garlits is known as much for his chassis innovations as for his victories. Rick Mears, Indy cars.

A four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Mears won 40 poles and 29 races and was named the Associated Rookies By Al Muskewitz Star Sports Writer TALLADEGA Busch Grand National Series rookies had their meeting with NASCAR officials Thursday morning, and the message was clear be aware of your speed, use your hand signals, and make sure everything that's supposed to be locked down is locked down. It was pretty much the same speech they got in Daytona earlier this year, but at least one driver sensed a difference in attitude among those who attended. "I think people paid more attention here," said Jimmy Foster, currently fourth in the BGN rookie standings. "I think they take this track more serious. Everybody wants to take these tracks serious, but I think their ears were a little bit more open here." If the rookies really wanted to know what to expect from the fastest track on the circuit, they should have talked to Tim Steele.

Although Steele has a yellow rookie's stripe on the rear bumper of his Busch car, he is no stranger at Talladega. He won ARCA races here in 1993 and last year. His message to first-timers is prepare for the air. Nemchek wins From Page 1B said, reaching to touch the picture button of son John pinned to her yellow T-shirt. "We feel John was up there in heaven and he was helping" Joe Sr.

was too overcome for words. He was fighting back tears as he walked to the garage area with Mark. "That really was uplifting for us, our whole family," Mark said. "We've had a tough time the last month. (Martha) is taking pictures again.

People know her for taking pictures, and this is the first time she's done that since John's accident. That makes me happy. She's getting back. Everybody's getting back." No one in the family will ever forget. John helped his brother hang bodies on the first two cars he qualified at Daytona and was trying to -'establish himself asa dnver.

was-just entering his second full season on the Super Truck circuit when he wrecked in the fourth turn during a Alabama counts on history, bats Auburn at LSU or ei "ome AU is 39-7, 14-7 SEC runs in any LSU is 40-7, 17-4 game- Balrd Today, 7 p.m. said. "The other side is that they strike out some. If your pitcher is on and they don't have their stroke, they can strike out 10 times." LSU's power center begins at shortstop, a position usually manned by a defensive whiz; offense is a bonus. Brandon Larson has slammed 25 home runs with 60 RBIs.

First baseman Eddye Furniss, the team leader with a .401 batting average, has 14 homers and 61 RBIs. Swing away: "They're not a team that's going to use many signs," Baird said. "Their coaches are pretty content to sit back and let their guys swing away." Auburn produces runs the old-fashioned way with school records for team batting average slugging percentage (.514) and on-base percentage Auburn's team batting average leads the SEC designated hitter Derek Reif, who transferred from national- runnerup Miami after last season carries a 20-game hitting streak. Reif, a backup to Ail-American shortstop Alex Cora in 1996, was in Miami's dugout when LSU's Warren Morris lined the championship-clinching home run to right field. The Auburn-LSU series, which LSU leads 50-45, has produced similar dramas.

Auburn junior Josh Etheredge remembers vividly when Auburn took two of three at LSU in 1995. "This is probably the second-biggest biggest series' in my career," he said. "It's the biggest since we came back or. Sunday to win the series my freshman year." excitement will i make a differ- ll3 I ence for us," ff irJ Wells said. Alabama After vs.

Arkansas Alabama won UAis36-lO, 13-8 Wednesday's SEC non-confer-Ark. is 34-12, 13-8 ence double-Today, 7 p.m. header against West Alabama, 1 0-9 and 15-4, Wells now firmly believes the Tide's season will go much as it has thus far lots of offense, little pitching. In fact, he's tirelessly tried to lecture the Tide on the merits of winning its many slugfests. After 46 games, it's obvious to Wells that the Tide's not going to claim many low-scoring games.

In his mind, Alabama should concentrate on winning as it best can. With firepower. "The point we're trying to get across to our team is that I can't hope to win a 4-3 or 2-1 game any more," Wells said. "We have to do everything as well as we can and win a 9-8 game." Pitching-wise, Wells is sticking with the same rotation he's used the last month: sophomore Pete Fisher (7-1, 3.86 ERA), junior Heath Henderson (7-2, 5.60) and sophomore Manny Torres (5-0, 5.27), all right-handers. Fisher has supplanted Henderson as the Tide's No.

1 starter "He's pitching better than Henderson right now," Wells said though he suffered his first loss last Saturday at Mississippi State. Standout Roberto Vaz the Tide's closer and top hitter couldn't protect a late-inning lead in last Friday's 11-10 loss at Starkville. That's why Wells isn't counting on pitching. The consistency just isn't there. "At this point," Wells said, "you just try and win whatever type game it is.

We just need' Fisher, Henderson, Torres, (Andy) Bernard and Vaz to be able to handle 27 innings. Those are the guys we have to go with right now." And if they produce high-jicoring so be it, Wells says. It's 'too laic fjO! over stylistic It's time to finish strong. Lm t7 Trent PennyThe Anniston Star 0(jay was Doug Reid III. The only Alabama driver in the field could muster only the 35th-fastest speed (187.533) and will attempt to make the Busch race Friday.

"Being from Hueytown, I'm kind of expected to run good here," he said. Reid sensed a problem during morning practice. He ran 1 86.732 and 1 87.93 1 in the two sessions both 34th then dove under the B'ham Auto Dealers 500k Top 25 By Phillip Tutor Star Sports Writer TUSCALOOSA Jim Wells remembers it well. It was late April a year ago, three weeks remaining in the Southeastern Conference season, just enough time for Alabama's baseball team to begin a surge that didn't end until the College World Series. The relevance? Again it's late April, again there are three weeks left in the SEC's season, and now the Crimson Tide needs another fiery ending.

It needs another late-season surge. And Wells wonders if it's possible. "It's time to try to really finish out strong," the Tide's coach said Thursday. "We had our problems last year, too, and we seemed to play better the last three weeks. I'm hoping that will happen this year, too." For seventh-ranked Alabama (36-10, 13-8 SEC), this weekend's home series with Arkansas (34-12, 13-8) brings obvious significance.

The Tide and Hogs are tied for third in the SEC West, four games behind national champion LSU and one back of second-place Auburn. More important, road-weary Alabama is playing its first home SEC series in three weeks, giving Wells added optimism that the Tide's final nine SEC games three each vs. Arkansas, Ole Miss and top-ranked LSU could become a catalyst to carry his team into the postseason. After winning the Kentucky series April 4-7 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the Tide won an emotional series at Auburn, then lost two of three last weekend at Mississippi State. That series loss was' just Alabama's second this season.

A year ago, the Tide lost only one series. Ironically, it directly preceded Alabama's torrid final three weeks. Could history repeat itself? Wells understands the irony. "I hope, getting back home, after being on the road against two goJtl teams with huge crowds and a lot of "Going around there by yourself, anybody can do that, I believe, but it's a different deal when you've got cars around," he said before grabbing the outside pole for Saturday's 500K race (192.789). "You do more than just breathe the air here.

You realize that once you get out there." LOOKING FOR ANSWERS: One of the more disappointed drivers after Thursday's qualifying Busch pole race at the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex. He died a few days later. Just about the same time, their grandfather was undergoing major surgery. "It's just been hard, on my parents, the truck series I don't think it will be the same without him but everybody has to go on," Joe said. "God had plans to take him.

Even when John was born, God had a plan for him. "It was his time. At least he was doing what he loved to do. I'd much rather have something happen to him there than flying in an airplane or driving a street car down the highway. In that sense, he was real fortunate." That doesn't make what happened any easier to understand.

Joe has lost close friends before, but never a family member to a tragedy. "You always wonder why, and you won't ever know," he said. "The more you tiry to figure uut wity, the less you know. The Lord works in mysterious ways." Potv Driver Car Spd 1 JoeNemechek Chevy 2 Tim Steele Chevy 192.789 3 Phil Parsons Chevy 192.723 4 ToddBodlne Pontlac 192.657 5 Mike McLaughlin Chevy 192.351 6 Dick Trickle Chevy 192.085 7 Elliott Sadler Chevy 191.785 8 Tracy Leslie Pontlac 191.708 9 Jeff Green Chevy 191.608 10 Mike Dillon Chevy 190.932 11 Buckshot Jones Pontiac 190.711 12 Steve Park Chevy 190.382 13 Elton Sawyer Ford 190.140 14 Jason Keller Chevy 190.060 15 Kevin Lepage Chevy 190.060 16 Michael Waltrip Ford 190.049 17 Mark Green Chevy 190.004 18 Randy LaJole Chevy 189.977 19 Hermie Sadler Chevy 189.782 20 Matt Kenseth Chevy 189.628 21 Jeff Burton Ford 189.552 22 Dale Fischlein Chevy 189.444 23 Mark Martin Ford 189.440 24 KyltfPiUy CSicvy 1E3.421; 25 RonBarfield Ford 189.417 ,1 7.