The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 39

The Indianapolis Star THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1992 Sports Obituaries NASCAR biggies to run tire tests at Speedway Robin Miller lJLj AS WE'VE BEEN predicting the past six months, NASCAR Is headed for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But right now It's only for a tire test not a full-blown Winston Cup race. Some of the stock-car set's good ol' boys are scheduled to run Goodyear tire tests June 22-24 at the Speedway in what tells me a NASCAR date here is much closer to fact than fiction. Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Petty, cast aside and NASCAR's popular road show will be on Indy's calendar possibly as early as 1993. Neither Speedway nor NASCAR has issued a statement regarding a race and official spokespersons could not be reached for comments Wednesday.

The only concrete evidence something could be happening was the IMS announcement earlier this week that the walls would be rebuilt, reinforced and heightened later this summer. However, a tire test certainly adds some reality to this rumor. "We were notified by NASCAR there would be a test at Indianapolis and could we provide some service," said Leo Mehl, Goodyear's director of racing. "It's very normal to take an opportunity to run at a new circuit or one anybody anticipates running. "And with that kind of lineup we certainly want to be present." Mehl was asked if a tire test usually precedes a race.

"It's not unusual for people going to a new circuit to request tire assistance and we would really like to have the (test) Information," he replied. "It's more economical to go there with these guys now than to wait until they schedule a race. "And if they were to add a race at Indy, there would be a formal tire test. But whether they run a race Is anybody's decision but ours." Currently, NASCAR sports 18 different compounds of tires but none of its 31 races across the country is run on a big, flat oval like the Speedway. The now-extinct Ontario Motor Speedway staged NASCAR races In the 1970s and had identical dimensions to Indy.

"We've still got our information from Ontario," said Mehl. So Leo. do you think there's going to be a NASCAR race at Indy? "We have excellent communication with NASCAR and we-rarely read about a new NASCAR race in the Speed Sport News," answered Mehl. "I wouldn't bet one way or another, but I think It's going to be a very Interesting decision. See MILLER Page 5 Ernie Irvin, Mark Martin and Derrick Cope will come directly from the Miller 400 at Brooklyn.

on June 21 and spend the next three days running at Indy. The speculation has been that Speedway tradition will be Phil Richards Hot Jordan too much for Blazers Bulls' star hits for 39 to make Game 1 a rout Long John settling in to tour life DUBLIN. Ohio John Daly's tie for second In the Kemper Open last week suggests he's learning the PGA Tour ropes. Only a year ago, people wondered what he was doing Inside them. "I played a practice round with Fuzzy (Zoeller) here last year," Daly said Wednesday while walking the 10th fairway at Mulrfield Village Golf Club, again In company with Zoeller and Hubert Green.

"We walked up on the 16th ree and this guy looked at me and said, "Are you playing in the By DAN DUNKIN STAR STAFF WRITER Chicago Asked to compare his game with Clyde Drexler's. Michael Jordan had given the Glide the edge as a 3-polnt shooter. Sly guy, that Jordan. By tipping his hat, he didn't tip his hand. His heavenly right hand which burned out of the Portland Trail Blazers' control.

Jordan hit six 3-polnters and scored 35 points, but that was Just In the first half. Both were NBA Finals records for a half, which Portland, in control early, trailed 66-51. Jordan scored only four more and missed his only 3-point try of the second half, but the fire he Ignited engulfed the Blazers 122-89 in Game One of the NBA Finals Wednesday night at wild Chicago Stadium. Jordan claimed his pre-game admission wasn't a smokescreen. He hit only 27 of 100 3-polnt attempts during the regular season, 5 of 16 In the first three rounds of the playoffs.

He took 10 Wednesday, finishing 16 of 27 from the floor. "I was just trying to stay within the framework of the offense," said Jordan, presumably serious after once again showing he has no limits. Then a wry smile. "Everything started falling, and I Just started running for the 3-polnt line. "I wasn't looking to shoot 3's tonight, but they left me alone." Drexler (16 points) was actually all over Jordan, usually preventing him from driving and paying a dear price.

Drexler, banking that Jordan has to wake up at some point, said he'll stick to that strategy. "You've got to give him credit," said Drexler, upbeat despite getting drilled In part one of what was billed as his and Jordan's epic showdown. "Those are the shots you want Michael to take. I'm gonna give him those same shots In Game matter of fact." V. "Fuzzy said, 'No, he paid his greens fee and we're just letting him play with us My goal was Just to make the cut." When Daly goes to the -jff 'f r-- i -l "Cn Hu I 1 If 1 'I 4 i I TJ' L3 Daly first tee at 11 10 this morning for the first round of the Memorial Tournament, It will be to win.

And no introductions will be necessary. Since his fairy-tale victory In the PGA Championship last August at Crooked Stick Golf Club, everyone knows John Daly. It seemed half the waking world trailed him around Mulrfield Village early Wednesday morning. That is precisely the point. Daly's Is a game of such daunting dimensions and casual mastery, one's imagination runs to keep up.

He has so much game, one tends to forget he has so much to learn. "I don't think people realize this Is only my second year out here," said Daly, 26. "I'm getting a little more experienced and I'm starting to get comfortable and know the courses." To wit: Daly realized his goal at his Inaugural Memorial by making the cut with a 74-74 start. He closed 83-83 to finish dead last in the 78-man field, eight strokes out of 77th. He didn't pay greens fees.

He paid his dues. Everyone knows Daly hasn't won since Crooked Stick. Everyone wonders when he will. What gets lost Is the fact he has missed only four cuts since "Michael's 3-polnt shooting was not premedi-. tated," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson.

"His barrage was incredible. I marveled at It." Early in the third quarter, remote controls clicked across the country, except for perhaps Chuck Person's. The Indiana Pacer's playoff record of seven 3-polnters set last year against Boston was safe. The Blazers, suffering the second-worst loss in Finals history, can only pray that the most unstoppable player on the planet stops hitting from the i next solar system. Who says one man can't beat you? Jordan went on a 10-3 run over a span of 2:04 in the first quarter and a 15-2 bender in 3:27 to end the first half the latter necessitating three Portland timeouts and a tourniquet.

See BULLS Page 3 ASSOCIATED PRESS Bulls' Michael Jordan shoots over Trail Blazers' Mark Bryant during the first quarter. Jordan scored 35 points in the first half. Courier-Agassi survivor should go all the way By STEPHEN WILSON ASSOCIATED PRESS See RICHARDS Pntfe 2 mmif -m i7 ing well to get there. But I think the final is the next round." The other half of the men's draw was decimated by early upsets that knocked out No. 2 Stefan Edberg.

No. 4 Michael Stlch, No. 5 Michael Chang and No. 10 Ivan Lendl. But France's Henri Leconte.

a wild card entry, provided plenty of excitement for the local fans by coming back from two sets down Wednesday to beat Sweden's Nicklas Kulti 6-7 (10-8). 3-6, 6-3. 6-3. 6-3 and gain one of the semifinal berths. Leconte.

pumping his fists and shouting, seemed to be carried to victory by the cheering, clapping and stamping from the crowd. The scene was reminiscent of Leconte's heroics in France's Davis Cup victory over the United States in Lyon last December. Leconte will face the winner of the other quarterfinal between No. 7 Petr Korda of Czechoslovakia and Andrei Cherkasov of Russia. The match, watched by aboujj 50 people on Court 1 was suspended by darkness after the two split the first two sets Korda winning the first 6-4 and Cherkasov taking the second 7-6 (7-3).

Agassi said he and Courier have proved themselves to be the best on clay. "This is the big match for us," he said. "It's going to be a battle. I don't think either of us expects anything less. "I am leaving it in his hands to worry about having to stop me.

I really can't be hitting the ball much better. He'll prove to me he's unbeatable once he beats me." Courier, who beat Agassi in five sets in last year's final, sought to downplay the rivalry. "I don't think we have to prove anything." he said. "What is at stake Is a berth in the final. Nothing more, nothing less.

Andre Is playing well and I am playing well. Whoever hits that last shot is going to win the match. It's pretty simple, pretty Se AGASSI Page 5 1 -ji Paris Why bother with the men's final Sunday? Andre Agassi said the real showdown )yJrX wil1 De the all-American semifi- nal between him and defending champion Jim Courier. NBA But don't forget about Henri Chicago 122 Portland 89 Leconte. Agassi and Courier defeated AMERICAN LEAGUE dangerous opponents in the Detroit 10 Milwaukee 4 Quarterfinals Wednesday, setting -a UP a rematch of last year O'M 7.

French Open final between the 4. two baseline bashers. Courier, the top seed, pound-Minnesota 11 Toronto 3 ed out a 6-2, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 victory Kansas City 3 Chicago 1 over No. 8 Goran Ivanisevic In a Texas 4 'York 3 match that had been suspended by darkness Tuesday. Agassi.

NATIONAL LEAGUE seeded No. 11. outplayed No. 3 Cincinnati 8 St. Louis 7 Pete Sampras 7-6 (7-5).

6-2. 6-1. Philadelphia 4 "at Atlanta 1 Agassi didn't hesitate when he was asked whether he consld- ered his match against Courier LosAngetes, 5 Frlday as the "If I had to bet. I'd certainly AMERICAN ASSOCIATION SruSSi'S 11JfyMNasMle 8 the half. They are all play X' I k.V dk i.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Andre Acjjissi returns shot in quarterfinal Pete Samprbs..