The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 16

I C2 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR MONDAY, JULY 27, 1998 III I 1 (H.M it: Charlotte PiioonE Continued from Page 1 1 Earnhardt's daring forces drivers, fans to be on their toes ft A 4 A A i i is kinder wounded I'IRL teams Staff and Wire Reports "indy Racing League teams left Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday in much better spirits than they had going in: i Kenny Brack and the A.J. Foyt team emerged with the victory Saturday night in the VisionAire 500K at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Z. "But the difference this time except for two minor exceptions was that teams were heading home with their cars intact. The week before, in the demolition derby at Dover's aptly named "Monster Mile," nine of the 22 cars that started the race came home in 1 pieces.

Team Cheever was one of the teams hit hardest as it lost two of its three cars. Because of that, Robby JJriser was unable to drive in Sat-tf jirday night's race. Owner Eddie Cheever's two cars Offered close to $400,000 in dam- age. destroyed two cars in 40 frninutes," Cheever said. "That track vas tough on race cars." By contrast, there was only one accident at Charlotte, and the two Cars involved driven by Scott Sharp and Donnie Beechler sus-i Manned minor damage.

Sharp was the only one to actually come in 'Contact with the wall, as he spun iahd hit the outside wall in turn ibiir. Peechler was simply in the wrong Aw I place at the wrong time. His car was i in the path of Sharp and was clipped by the right rear tire. Most of the other problems at 'Oiarlotte were engine-related. Mark Dismore, Tonv Stewart, Raul Boesel juid Cheever were all sidelined for jngine problems.

im-r Twelve cars were still running at i the end of the race, however, two jriore than at Dover. In the wake of the Charlotte race, ht series points standings have tightened up considerably heading into the IRL's final four races. Before Charlotte, Sharp led with NASCAR NOTEBOOK brate his competitivenesst He blamed himself for knocking in the nose of his car in the Gordon incident. "We kind of beat ourselves," he said. A competitive Indy? Gordon won Sunday's 500-mile race, but stubborn Mark Martin had him locked in his sights.

Darrell Waltrip was strong, Jarrett was stronger and at least three others (Ward and Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte) showed they're at the top of their seasons. The Brickyard 400 at the, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is next on Saturday. It's believed the Ford Tauruses should have the advantage on the relatively flat 2.5-mile oval. "Oh my, it's competitive, right now," said Jeff Burton, whose brother, Ward, won the Pocono pole. "There are one, two, three, four 10, 11 cars that stand a really good chance to win." Jarrett saves season If Jarrett wins his first championship this season, it might be Sunday's pit work that proves to be the difference.

Jarrett cut a hole in his oil pan while racing Jeff Burton down the front straightaway. He was nearly overwhelmed by smoke and forced to pit. During the caution, his Robert Yates-owned crew fixed the leak and kept him on the lead lap. In the final 20 laps, Jarrett sprinted, passing many quality cars fifth place and maintain third in season points. By Curt Cavin STAFF WRITER LONG POND, Pa.

Dale Earnhardt was everywhere Sunday at Pocono Raceway, bouncing off Jeff Gordon, Chad Little and Ward Burton, just to name a few. Mostly, he was in contention to win, which he hasn't been since the Daytona 500 in February. Even Dale Jarrett, who battled Earnhardt throughout the Pennsylvania 500, liked it. "He was awful racy, messing with everyone," Jarrett said. "The old Earnhardt was back.

That's good. That's what we need." An estimated crowd of 120,000 cheered the seven-time champion's every move. When he sprinted past Gordon for second place on lap 122, the crowd noise exceeded the 43 screaming engines. Earnhardt led 14 laps before being overhauled by Gordon, the eventual winner. Earnhardt made Gordon sweat through the pass, issuing a bump that took them both to the wall.

Gordon expected it, given how competitive Earnhardt is. Gordon was asked if Earnhardt's friskiness was good to see. "Good for who? Good for the sport?" he said. "I know the fans were loving it. I think in that sense it's good." Gordon has been through Earnhardt's games before, "It's like he puts you through the test, and I've been tested a lot over the years," Gordon said.

"I think I've passed some of them, and some of them I've flunked." After finishing seventh in the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, Earnhardt wasn't in much of a mood to cele- Associated Press SAD DUTY: Rescue crews remove an injured spectator from the grandstands after debris from Adrian Fernandez's crash flies into the grandstand. Player's ReynardMercedesFirestone under the checkered flag by 0.259 of a second ahead of Vasser. Defending CART champ and current point leader Alex Zanardi was denied a fifth straight win but nipped Scott Pruett for third. The top four cars were separated by 0.518 seconds after three hours of wheel-to-wheel action. In a race that saw a record-shattering 62 lead changes among nine drivers, drafting was the main story line as an aerodynamic device implemented to slow speeds wound up creating non-stop passing.

"The new rear wing (known as the Hanford Device) made for some great racing and the draft was so big today," said Moore, whose brilliant outside pass of Zanardi in the closing laps gave him a victory at Brazil earlier this season. "The race was flat out from start to finish and it was a lot of fun." Starting 14th and in a three-race slump, Moore scored the fourth triumph of his young career by splitting, then beating Chip Ganassi's dominant Target team. It appeared Gil de Ferran might be the man to beat before his engine expired on lap 241 while he was running second in the Valvo-line ReynardHondaGoodyear. But that eighth and final caution of the afternoon set up a six-lap shootout. Zanardi and Vasser swapped the top spot on laps 246 and 247 before Moore blasted ahead on lap 248.

Vasser regained command on lap 249 but couldn't shake the 23-year-old Canadian. "It's hard for a driver not to go for the lead," said Vasser, who trails his teammate by 68 points after 12-of-19 races in the FedEx Championship. "When I passed Jimmy with three laps to go, I was hoping for the white flag," said Moore. "But on that last lap I got a great run going into (turn) one and Jimmy gave me the inside. "I was weaving going down the backstretch trying to break the draft and when I got to (turns) three and four I knew they weren't close enough." Zanardi, who led a race-high 63 laps in the Target ReynardHonda Firestone, looked strong as he pulled away during laps 203-224.

But a couple of cautions, a possible loss of power and that big draft denied him the chance to do any of his traditional victory doughnuts. "At one point I thought we had everyone covered, but something happened. I went from running 227 to 222 and we had some kind of oil leak because my engine was on fire when I shut it off," said the 32-year-old Italian following the 16th podium finish in his last 19 starts. "But I feel fortunate to be here in MILLER Continued from Page 1 The record-shattering 62 lead changes among nine drivers doesn't count the guys like Bobby Rahal and Bryan Herta, who forged into first place but never got credit for leading because they had it taken away before they got to the startfinish line. After some sloppy shows earlier this season, Championship Auto Racing Teams finally lived up to its billing: the finest in open-wheel racing.

They leaned on each other and they tested each other at 225 mph all day. Sunday's U.S. 500 was marred by a tragic crash when Adrian Fernandez's car hit the wall and lost a tire that catapulted into the stands. Three spectators died in the accident. The accident cast a pall over what was otherwise one of the most competitive races I've ever witnessed.

And you can credit the drivers and Mark Hanford's aerodynamic attachment on the rear wings. "It's the best driving I've ever seen," said Michael Andretti, who knows a thing or two about that subject. "Everybody drove really well, gave each other enough room and still raced hard." The fact Greg Moore won with a last-lap pass of Jimmy Vasser is almost incidental. Because it could have been Alex Zanardi, Scott Pruett, Richie Heam, Al Unser 'A 1 U.S. 500 (Top finishers) Equipment Driver 1.

Greg Moore 2. Jimmy Vasser 3. Alex Zanardi 4. Scott Pruett 5. Richie Hearn R-M R-H R-H R-F S-F 6.

Michael Andretti S-F 7. Bobby Rahal R-F 8. Patrick Carpentier R-M 9. Paul Tracy R-H 10. Bryan Herta R-F Chassis: R-Reynard, L-Lola, P-Penske, S-Swifl F-Ford, M-Mercedes Series Points leaders: Zanardi 90, Vasser 122, Moore 118, Andretti 92, Adrian Fernandez 90.

protested it was too fast, a method to slow them down on the superspeedways was devised. Hanford, an employee of Swift Engineering, came up with a plate behind the rear wing to increase drag and decrease downforce. "I think Mark brought Indy-car racing on these big tracks back to life," said Alex Cross, director of Swift. "We can sell this show to people. It was fantastic," That Hanford Device not only knocked 10 mph off the projected speeds, it turned this usual endurance eyesore into a 500-mile sprint race.

NASCAR became popular for its door handle-to-door handle racing and big drafting trains on ovals. France's series draws twice as many fans here as CART to watch a 170 mph parade. But there was more wheel-to-wheel combat and passing up front Sunday in the first 50 laps than there was in the last four Winston Cup shows combined. In the first 100 miles, the field average was 217 mph after the first pit stops were figured in. "It was scary at times, but it was also fun," said Andretti, who doesn't scare easily.

"We don't have fenders like NASCAR, but it was very close racing all day." Rahal, making his final run here, gave it the thumbs up. The Hanford Device looks like a winner. Maybe we should use it at all our ovals," said the three-time CART champion. Of course, not everybody was convinced it was a good race. The show was great, but I don't think you can call it racing." said Zanardi, who was blunted from his fifth straight win and settled for third.

"It was fun and everybody seemed to enjoy it, but I call it a show." Maybe a knife-edge move at Toronto or Laguna Seca constitutes a great pass. Maybe it's more driver than car at Milwaukee or Long Beach. And maybe drafting is a NASCAR thing. But CART should bottle this one. It was vintage.

Robin Miller is a sports columnist. Contact Robin by calling 624-4636 and enter fVab. (Pi Start Photo Greg Griffo BAD SCENE: The Kelloggs' Cornflakes crew tries to open the hood on driver Terry Labonte's wrecked and smoking Chevy after he was involved in a late-race crash Sunday. k. points, iouowea Dy iony siew-r art- at 194, Davey Hamilton at 163 and Scott Goodyear at 147.

--But with Sharp finishing 18th and Stewart taking 21st at Charlotte, things are suddenly more Interesting. Sharp still leads Stewart 214-206. but Hamilton is in third place with 189; Goodyear is fourth at 182; Brack is fifth at 181; and Jeff Ward is sixth with 164. "We had a good car at Charlotte, and that was important because it was a good race to make some gains in the point standings," Goodyear said. Sharp said he looks at Charlotte as a lost opportunity in terms of points.

Stewart first had trouble on lap 28 and was out of the race for good on lap 61. Sharp's accident came on lap 105 (of 208). "My car just snapped going through (turns) three and four," Sharp said. "It's a shame because we could have picked up a ton of jpointsonTony." Hakklnen wins in F-l Mika Hakklnen captured the ac-cident-filled Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, on Sunday to pace a McLaren triumph and in- crease his Formula One champion--- ship lead over Michael Schumacher. Driving a nearly perfect race, Hakklnen charged to the front from the start, held off two early chal-lenges by Schumacher and cruised for his fifth victory of the Schumacher finished third.

third place." Like Vasser, Pruett fought back from a lap down and finally got some reliability out of his Visteon ReynardFordFirestone. "It was unbelievable because any one of us could have won," said Pruett, who used a breathtaking pass to edge Al Unser Jr. here in 1995. "We broke an air jack, had trouble with our popoff valve and still overcame that stuff." Richie Heam, starting third in the Budweiser SwiflFordFire-stone, drove the best race of his CART career and was never out of the hunt as he earned fifth. Michael Andretti led 62 laps in the Kmart SwiftFordGoodyear and wound up sixth but lost any chance of victory when he was black-flagged for bumping a tire exiting the pits.

Paul Tracy's ninth place belied his spirited drive as he led 22 laps in the Kool ReynardHondaFirestone and was in contention for a win before a long pit shop shoved him to the back. Pole-sitter Fernandez faded early, came storming back to lead and was holding fifth when he smacked the turn four wall in the Tecate ReynardFordFirestone. He was shaken but released from the infield hospital. Associated Press GOOD JOB: Greg Moore is congratulated by a team member in the winner's circle after winning the U.S. 500.

Paul Tracy, Gil de Ferran, Herta, Andretti or Vasser. "I told everybody it was going to be a great race," said Hearn, who mixed it up all day with his more experienced competition and finished fifth. "We ran three wide, we drafted, we slingshotted each other. It reminded me of my old Go Kart days." Because CARTs champ cars crested 240 mph last year and even the bravest of its drivers Babes girl, why look Tickets Cupcakes As Seen in Hustler, Busty Beauty, Bust Ojit Jugs, Big Tops 4 Winston Cup Pennsylvania 500 (Top finishers) Driver Car 1. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 2.

Mark Martin Ford 3. Jeff Burton Ford 4. Bobby Labonte Pontiac 5. Dale Jarrett Ford 6. Rusty Wallace Ford 7.

Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet 8. Ken Schrader Chevrolet 9. Emle Irvan Pontiac 10. Michael Waltrip Ford Series points leaders: Gordon 2,712, Martin 2,650, Jarrett 2,584, Mayfieid 2,499, Wallace 2,462. Evemham said of the two-tire call, "but sometimes it's better to be out front.

Today it was." On lap 115, veteran Dave Marcis hit the first-turn wall, one of four cars to shred a tire. Some of the contenders had just pitted, Svhich shuffled the order and put Ward Burton ahead of Gordon and moved Earnhardt to third. Earnhardt took the lead shortly thereafter and led 14 laps before Gordon came calling. Their incident was the highlight for the crowd, estimated at 120,000. Ward Burton was fifth on lap 173 when Chad Little and Earnhardt got together In turn one.

Little said he slipped on oil from Dale Jarrett's car, but all Burton knew was that Earnhardt came down on top of him. Burton became part of a six-car melee that included fellow top-10 drivers Jeremy Mayfieid, Teity Labonte and Ted Musgrave. Earnhardt wiggled free unscathed, eventually finishing seventh. sj GORDON Continued from Page 1 Ray Evemham insisted he settle down. In his recovery, Gordon was faced with passing Dale Earnhardt for the lead.

He accomplished it, but Earnhardt didn't accept it. In classic Earnhardt fashion, he let Gordon go, jumped on his bumper and came roaring back. Gordon's reaction caused trouble. He tried to thwart Earnhardt's momentum by slowing down entering the corner. "And he drove in deeper," said Gordon, who was punted toward the outside wall.

"I was a little upset at the time (because) it wasn't worth it. "I was on a mission after that." Gordon raced back from eighth place to take the lead on a 9-second, two-tire pit stop on lap 164. No one approached him after that, although they had a pair of chances on restarts. "I don't know where that (car No.) 24 bunch has found that horsepower, but man, does (Gordon) have the straightaway speed," Martin said. They were the class of the field today." Gordon's domination improved his points lead over Martin to 62.

Gordon, who won the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994, captured his series-high fifth race of the year and the 34th of his career. If Gordon and the Rick Hendrick team don't err, they usually win. On Sunday, they had four flawless pit stops and Gordon showed patience after his scrapes with Burton and Earnhardt. Gordon supported Evernham's call for two tires, although he feared Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte would be stronger in the final 30 laps with four new ones. They weren't, and never challenged, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

"Maybe we played, conservative," "It was an excellent victory," Hak- kinen said. With six races left in the year, the Finn has an eight-point lead over Schumacher, the two-time champion who had won the last three races. David Coulthard finished second as the McLaren-Mercedes team reasserted its dominance. Starting from the second row next to Schumacher, Hakkinen blasted past pole holder Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi in a chaotic start to grab the lead at the first comer. A Now Prvtenting Lingerie Untetie livmonsinitltms 1 for Uss In VH Lmn'srs Lingerie; MIOK.

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