The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 22

C3 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR MONDAY. AUGUST 11, 1997 Up i I i c-, 1 1 1 i'GoF oi season ad to grab til triumph OOIl i iiK me ro -V': Bud atths TOP FINISHERS AtWatkins Glen, N.Y. 1. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 2. Geoff Bodine Ford 3.

Rusty Wallace Ford 4. Robby Gordon Chevrolet 5. Mark Martin Ford 6. Ted Musgrave Ford 7. Bill Elliott Ford 8.

Terry Labonte Chevrolet 9. Steve Grissom 10.WallyDallenbach Chevrolet SEASON POINTS LEADERS: J.Gordon Martin Jarrett Tlabonte J.Burton 2,667. ternational's 2.45-mile, 11-turn layout. Still, the victory was somewhat of a surprise to Gordon. "Qualifying 11th.

we thought, well, maybe this isn't our weekend," he said. "But the car sure was strong. I just tried to keep it out of the grass and the dirt and tried not to make any mistakes." Gordon's DuPont Chevrolet crossed the finish line 1.35-sec-onds about 10 car-lengths ahead of Bodlne's Ford. Gordon averaged 91.294 mph in the race which was slowed by five caution flags totaling 11 laps. Rookie Robby Gordon, no relation to Jeff, had a career-best fourth-place finish, followed by Martin, Ted Musgrave, Bill Elliott.

Terry Labonte. Steve Grissom and Wally Dallenbach Jr. Jeff Gordon began to work his way toward the front from the start, getting all the way to fifth place on Lap 20, fourth on Lap 21. Associated Press WATKINS GLEN. N.Y.

Jeff Gordon is now a complete race driver. The last piece of his repertoire fell into place when he earned his first road course victory Sunday in the Bud at the Glen. The 26-year-old wunderklnd showed he can handle right turns as well as left-handers by picking up his eighth win of the season and the 27th of his Winston Cup career. "This is a legitimate goal of ours. We came out this year to try to win a road course," said Gordon, runner-up to Mark Martin earlier this season on the road circuit at Sonoma, Calif.

"Our team has Just worked together every year. "I've just made mental notes and stuff where I can gain speed, the right gears, when to brake and how to brake." Associated Press MASTERING A NEW CIRCUIT: Jeff Gordon earns his eighth NASCAR Winston Cup victory of the season, but his first career triumph on a road course. 'v, FILLER Continued from Page 1 chance I could run a non-American In a second car," said Green, whose Indy Lights trio of Chris Simmons. Mark Hotchkls and Naokl Hattorl are not yet ready for CART. "I've got a great relationship with Kool and we desperately want to put this team back on the winning road." Where's the Bad? The Budwelser sponsorship, held by NewmanHaas the past four years, could be headed for John Delia Penna and Richie Hearn.

"There was a major cutback at AnheuserBusch that could affect us," said Carl Haas, who currently campaigns Christian Fittlpaldi In the Budwelser SwiftFord. "Budwelser Is sponsoring our new race In Japan and I'm trying to get them involved In my race at Houston so I'm not sure where our team fits Into their plans. But I've already got something else lined up." Delia Penna, whose primary sponsor is Ralph's Food 4 Less, has had an associate deal with Budwelser In 1995, when Hearn captured the Formula Atlantic title, and again this season. "I'd have to say Richie would be a logical choice for their demo- graphics a young, bold American," said Delia Penna, who has spent '97 trying to bolster Hearn's spirits since they're stuck with the uncompetitive Lola chassis. "We're still talking and we don't have a deal yet but we've had positive conversations." Carl Hogan, who Is based in St.

Louis, and talented rookie Darlo Franchlttl makes his operation equally appealing, has also sent a proposal to Budwelser. Haas was thought to be getting In the neighborhood of $6 million for carrying Bud's colors, but the '97 deal could be as low as $3 million. "Our newspaper carrier, 13 -year-old Ben Benbow is a very dependable young man. He delivers our paper early each morning, as he has done for the past few years in all kinds of weather conditions. We consider Ben to be an outstanding teenager." FOR DEPENDABLE HOME DELIVERY CALL 633-9211 Ruth Ann Ackerman third on Up 23 and taking second from Elliott on Lap 27.

Gordon and most of the leaders made the first of two scheduled pit stops on Lap 28. but Gordon steadily moved back through the traffic, passing Wallace to regain second place on Lap 44 and finally getting past Bodine to take the lead on Lap 53. The only time Gordon was out of the lead the rest of the way was during a round of green flag pit stops. He got back in front to stay on Lap 62 when Darrell Waltrip finally made his final gas stop during a caution period. On the ensuing restart on Lap 65, Wallace, who was second, tried to get a run on Gordon.

"I tried to pass Gordon on the outside on that restart and ran out of room." Wallace said. "I got bogged down so much that Bodine got by me. I almost got Bodine a couple of times at the end. but it Just didn't happen." Rahal likes Letterman's presence By Robin Miller STAFF WRITER LEXINGTON, Ohio David Letterman was more excited than his partner following Sunday's Championship Auto Racing Teams race at Mld-Ohlo. "We're almost the same age but I get such a thrill when Bobby (Rahal) beats those young kids," said Letterman after CART's oldest active driver started 16th and finished third In the Miller 200.

The 44-year-old Rahal hasn't given the Late Show host and CART NOTES Indianapolis' famous son much to be thrilled about lately. He was leading last month's U.S. 500 before hitting the wall and a sixth at Nazareth had been his best showing of the season before Sunday. But it was finally a good weekend for Team Rahal, as Bryan Herta won the pole position and Rahal recaptured a little magic on his favorite track. "Our plan all along was to make two pit stops but I was concerned because of (fuel problems at) Brazil and Milwaukee," said Rahal, who ran out of fuel on the last lap while leading at Rio de Janeiro.

"But we made extremely good mileage and my guys did a good Job. "I feel bad for Bryan but his day will come. This was good, emotionally, for our team." The three-time CART champion hasn't won since 1992 but still runs hard among his younger competition. And having co-owner Letterman around always seems to produce good results. "Having Dave here always gets the team pumped up and he's such a big supporter," said Rahal, who has three podium finishes In the five races Letterman has attended since they became co-owners.

"I want him at Elkhart Lake Notes Darlo Franchlttl was scored 11th but that doesn't begin to tell how well this rookie ran. The 24-year-old Scotsman ran third most of the day until a late, long, extra pit stop knocked him back GU de Ferran finished sixth, but a spin while exiting the pits on his first stop robbed him of any chance at the top three Alex Barron won the KoolToyota Formula Atlantic race and Andy Boss captured the Barber Dodge Assoc istod Pross ALL ALONE: With the third victory in the last four races, Alex Zanardi is putting distance between himself and his CART foes. Zanardi turns toward dominance by winning another CART race Gordon held off a determined bid from defending race winner Geoff Bodine, who himself had to hold off Rusty Wallace late in the 90-lap event on Watkins Glen In Miller 200 TOP FINISHERS At Lexington, Ohio 1. Alex Zanardi R-H 2. Greg Moore R-M 3.

BobbyRahal 4. Raul Boesel R-F- 5. Jimmy Vasser R-H 6. Gil de Ferran R-H 7. Mauricio Gugelmin R-M 8.

Michael Andretti S-F 9. Scott Pruett R-F 10. Andre Ribeiro L-H CHASSIS: R-Reynard, S-Swift, LLola; ENGINES: H-Honda, M-Mercedes, F-Ford. SEASON POINTS LEADERS: Zanardi 148; Paul Tracy 121; de Ferran 116; Moore 111; Andretti 108. because, after pole sitter Bryan Herta fell by the wayside, this one was never In doubt.

"We've had four fantastic races In a row and today this team really showed what It takes to win a championship," said Zanardi, who won at Cleveland, finished second at Toronto and ran away at the U.S. 500 in Michigan before Sunday's showcase. "My boys In the pits have been the best, the fastest crew in the business, and my car, engine and tires have performed at the highest level." Herta led the first 18 laps before a right rear tire exploded, knocked off his wing and sidelined the Shell ReynardFordGoodyear. Up to that point, Herta, Zanardi and Moore were nose-to-tall and pulling away from the field. Zan HilPs troubles 1r ardi and Moore continued to open up daylight until the first pit stop on Lap 52.

From there, Zanardi steadily put Moore In his rear-view mirror until the only real drama In the race appeared. At the halfway point, Moore, Bobby Rahal and Raul Boesel decided to try to go the distance on two pit stops Instead of three. Zanardl's crew opted to follow suit until It was determined he was going to come up one gallon of fuel short. So Ganassl asked his driver to speed up so It would be possible to make a quick third stop for fuel only. How did Zanardi respond? On Lap 60, he led Moore by 12 seconds and, when a second, full-course yellow flag waved on Lap 70, he owned a 30-second advantage.

Zanardi blew Into the pits for 5.4 seconds to take methanol and stormed back out still In front. "My main concern was not to stall, but It's not my first race," said Zanardi, breaking Into a "We pushed very hard to open up a gap on Greg and pit again. "Maybe we got a break with that last caution, but I still think we had something on the rest of the field." Moore, without a point the previous three races, started third In the Player's ReynardMercedes Firestone and drove a strong, smart race for his third second place finish of 1997. Rahal came from 16th to third in the Miller ReynardFordGoodyear and Boesel, In the Brahma ReynardFordFirestone, came home fourth as 11 cars finished on the lead lap. I Sports The Sports Department is responsible for all local and national sports-related news.

If you have a comment or suggestion, call the telephone numbers listed after 2 p.m. weekdays. Asst. Managing EditorSports Steve Greenberg 633-9107 Assistant Sports Editor Tom Rietmann 633-1046 Sports Operations Editor Mark Emmert 633-1051 Assistant Sports Operations Editor Martha Allan 633-9525 Toll free (800) 669-7827 To report scores or event results: Please call 633-9110 between 5 p.m. and 11 :30 p.m.

To obtain scores via The Star's InfoLine service: Please call 6244636 and enter the appropriate access code listed on the Scoreboard page. NEED CASH ANYWHERE IN INDIANA IN 30 MINUTES DON'T SELL YOUR CAR 600D CREDIT BAD CREDIT NO CREDIT GOOD JOB -BAD JOB -NO JOB The value of your car stands good for your loan. When you need cash FAST. Auto pawning it the answer. In simple 30-day renewable terms DID YOU MISS OUR COUPON? zz "GET AN EXTRA $5.00 OFF ANY WORK AT CAM! GREENWOOD 8012 US 31 South 887-1010 CARMEL 1436 Keystone Way 846-4600 INDIANAPOLIS 2427 W.

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Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Expires 9197 05j By Robin Miller STAFF WRITER LEXINGTON, Ohio Paul Tracy barely got started and there was no stopping Alex Zanardi on Sunday as the Championship Auto Racing TeamsPPG championship took another turn toward Italian supremacy. For the second straight year, Zanardi dominated the Miller 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for his third victory in the last four races and seventh of his 29 CART starts. But, more Importantly, he brought that 1997 PPG Cup a little closer to his mantle. Zanardi entered the 13th of 17 races with a 6-polnt lead over Tracy and drove out of this scenic road course with a 27-poInt cushion heading for Elkhart Lake, this weekend.

Tracy was tripped up by an opening-lap snafu that bent his suspension and dropped him to 27th in the 28-car field. And while Team Penske continued to stagger, Chip Ganassl's Target Team continued to run like a group determined to keep No. 1 on Its car. With an estimated crowd of 80,000 spilling over the Ohio hillside, Zanardi treated the crowd to another road-racing clinic as he drove another flawless race at a ferocious pace. Starting second, the 30-year-old Italian led 56 of the 83 laps around the twisting 2.25-mile circuit In the TargetHondaFirestone and beat runner-up Greg Moore to the checkered flag by 4.8 seconds.

But it took a late caution flag to make that a respectable margin Alii "KMTNLT mu maw service only Pager reconditioned to original factory specifications. Certain conditions apply. $10 activation fee required. 61997, DMC. All rigMs reserved.

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"He was worth a win today. He drove well and was really flying," Villeneuve said. "It's a shame for him, but where I am concerned It's much better for us this way because we are fighting for the championship." Johnny Herbert in a Sauber-Petronas was third, 20 seconds behind. Two-time series champion and current points leader Michael Schumacher was fourth after winning the pole In his Ferrari. Schumacher finished 30.5 seconds back Just ahead of his younger brother, Ralf, in a Jordan-Peugeot.

The elder Schumacher now has 56 points, to lead Villeneuve by just three with six races left. Jean Alesl Is third with 22 points, two ahead of Benetton-Renault teammate Gerhard Berger, who won the German Grand Prix two weeks ago. Villeneuve was timed In 1 hour, 45 minutes. 47.149 seconds for 189.851 miles. He averaged 107.7 mph.

It was his ninth career victory and his first since the British Grand Prix a month ago. Schumacher had his problems. He had the pole and the best time In the morning warmup. But Just before the end, the Ferrari Jumped a curb, went airborne and damaged the new lightweight chassis. The team rushed to build a car around an older, heavier version with less than four hours to go before 'the start of the race.

Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary Jacques Villeneuve won his fifth race of the season with a last-lap dash past the damaged car of defending Formula One champion Damon H1U on Sunday In the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hill, Vllleneuve's teammate last year until salary differences led to his departure from Williams-Renault, surprised many by nearly winning In his lightly regarded Arrows-Yamaha. He held a 34-sec-ond lead with three laps to go, then slowed dramatically with power and gear problems. "1 was really thinking about winding down for the last three laps, but I didn't think about winding down as much as that," Hill said. "I needed 40 seconds over Jacques today, and I Just had 30." Villeneuve cut 10 seconds off the lead In the 75th of 77 laps at the Hungarorlng, another 20 seconds In the 76th, and went on to win by 9 seconds.

"With about three laps to go, I had a throttle problem. And then my gears went and I wasn't able to use the throttle," Hill said. "At one point I was stuck In second gear. And that was that." Villeneuve had to swerve onto the grass to pass Hill, who was moving from side to side to bring his car under control. "When he moved over I had to go onto the grass because there was no way I was going to lift off," CLASSIC USAC Midgets and fl I Id Jack's Too Rental ill Qacm tf Chnmnlnn II Gates 5 pm Racing 8 pm Four miles NW of 1-465, Exit 16 on U.S.

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