The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 44

THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR D5 D4 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR EVENT The 77th annual In 7 A 8 1'' SMOKINJ' AT THE SPEEDWAY: It was a month remarkably free from accidents, but in the last of 13 incidents, Dominic Dobson lost control on May 21. The 1992 LolaChevrolet-A spun twice coming out of the first turn, went into the infield grass and back onto the track, barely hitting the out-- side wall with the rear. Dobson was not injured. away in a new car, one of John Menard's, for an attempt. The first three laps were quick enough to bump Rahal, but Menard had a funny feeling as Cheever rounded the last corner.

Menard went right for the yellow flag to cancel the attempt. Most were stunned. Menard, however, felt that the car needed to run 218 mph to avoid getting bumped again. Cheever was forced to put the car back in the qualifying line and wait. The decision almost backfired as Cheever didn't get his second chance until 5:44.

He made the most of ft, though, running four laps at a 217.559 pace. Rahal was bumped. As Rahal waited with his backup car, Theys made a remarkable run of 217.752 to bump rookie Smith. Rahal pulled away for his final show at 5:59, Just one minute before the gun. It didn't matter.

The racer, who over the winter had purchased the Truesports. team and the made-in-Amerlca chassis program, couldn't work up enough speed. His laps 217.360, 216.820, 214.782 and 216.424 produced a 216.342 average, well below the bubble speed of first-day qualifier Kevin Cogan "It's very embarrassing because I race to win not just to qualify," said Rahal. "There are never any givens in racing. It's pretty humbling." The 33-car field became one of the tightest In Indy history, with less than 7 mph separating the slowest from the quickest.

The average was 219.692. Six former winners and five rookies earned spots in the 77th "500." Thursday, May 27 The final two hours of practice produced no serious yellows and nothing new a9 Ford-powered cars continued to show the way. Six of the top seven speeds were recorded by Ford drivers as Brayton, Mansell, Boesel and Mario Andretti led the way, with Goodyear and pole-sitter Luyendyk close behind. "There's no doubt we've got one of the most powerful engines out there and we can get people going down the straight with our Fords," said Goodyear, the 1992 runner-up who lines up inside Row 2 in the Mackenzie '93 LolaFord. "We're In good shape with that." "The car Is a little bit nervous, but we know we'll have to live with that on race day like everyone else, hopefully." Brayton, slated to start in the middle of Row 4 in the AmwayByrd-Bryant '93 LolaFord, cut the day's best lap of 223.547 mph as six drivers found 220-plus.

Mansell continued his impressive introduction to Indy with a lap of 222.497 mph In the KmartTexaco '93 LolaFord. Boesel, who'll take the green flag from the outside of the front row, was caught at 222.255 mph In the Dura-cellMobil 1 '93 LolaFord, while Andretti clocked 221.910 In the other KmartTexaco '93 LolaFord. Fittipaldi was the quickest non-Ford, turning 221.016 mph in the Star Photo Rick Lane 1 May in Indy onaenui weamer9 Blower peea ana improvea aie Tire shortage, 13 accidents and active bumping process also make headlines. IP8 A TOUCHING GOODBYE: "I hate I dianapolis 500. DISTANCE -500 miles; 200 laps around the 2Vfemile, asphalt- on-brick Indianapolis Motor Speedway track.

SANCTIONING BODY The U.S. Auto Club; also open to IndyCar, NASCAR, SCCA, Formula One and other drivers through international FIA listing. RACE CARS Open-cockpit, open-wheel and single-seat with engine specifications set by the U.S. Auto Club. Minimum wheelbase of 96 inches; maximum length of 1625 feet; maximum width of 78.5 inches; minimum weight of 1,550 pounds.

START 11 am. EST from a flying start, following warmup, parade and pace laps. The pace car, a 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe, powered by a 275-horsepower, 5.7-llter V-8 engine, will be driven by Jim Perkins, vice president of General Motors. FINISH Standings are unoffi cial until posted by USAC six hours after the end of the race. POLE POSITION Arie Luyen dyk, 39, The Netherlands, who qualified a 1993 LolaFord Cosworth at a four-lap average of 223.967 mph.

DEFENDING CHAMPION Al Unser who averaged 134.477 mph 1992 for his first victory in 10 Indy 500 starts. FORMER WINNERS IN RACE (6) Al Unser Sr. (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987), Mario Andretti (1969), Danny Sullivan (1985), Emerson Fittipaldi (1989), Arie Luyendyk (1990), Al Unser Jr. (1992). ROOKIES IN RACE (5) Stefan Johansson, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Stephan Gregoire, Robby Gordon, YOUNGEST IN RACE Stephan Gregoire, 24 (bom May 14, 1969).

OLDEST IN RACE -Al Unser 54 (bom May 29, 1939). FIELD AVERAGE IN QUALIFICATIONS 219.692 mph (Record 223.479 mph, 1992). RACE RECORD 185.981, Arie Luyendyk, 1990 (Previous record 170.722 mph, Bobby Rahal, 1986). PURSE Depends on attendance and accessory awards; 1992 payoff was a record $7,527,450, of which Al Unser Jr. and the Galles-Kraco racing team received a record winner's share of $1,244,184 (Former records, set in 1991, were $1,219,704 to Rick Mears from a total purse of CROWD Estimated at 450,000.

Speedway never discloses attendance but admits to at least 275,000 reserved seatS'in permanent stands and room for 100,000 or more in the infield. TELEVISION Televised live by ABC with Paul Page as anchor ana Sam Posey, Bobby Unser and Bobby Rahal as analysts. (Indianapolis area is blacked out. Locally, WRTV- 6 carries a same-day replay at 7 p.m.; Highlight programs are on -WTHR-13 at 6:30 p.m. and W1SH-8 at 7 p.m.) RADIO Speedway network live to 1,200 stations in the United States and Canada, plus worldwide coverage on American Forces Ra- dio and special Spanish language broadcast, anchored by Bob Jenkins.

Locally, the broadcast can be heard on WIBC-1070 AM, WNDE-1260 AM and FM. MORTALITY There have been 65 deaths at the Speedway, including races of 1909-10. Last driver death was May 15, 1992, when rookie driver Jovy Marcelo of the Philippines was killed in a crash during practice. Before that, the most recent driver death was in, 1982 when Gordon Smiley was killed in a crash as he warmed up for a qualification attempt Last spectator death was in 1987 when Lyle Kurtenbach, 41, Rothschild, was struck by a tire from the car of driver Tony Bettenhausen. THE TROPHY -Sterling silver with bas-relief bust of each winner; 92 pounds; 4 feet 4 inches tall; insured for $1 million.

Race day schedule SUNDAY AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 5 a.m. Gates open. 6:30 Pit gates open. 8 Supplies in pits. 8:30 Race cars positioned in front of respective pits.

9:45 Cars placed in starting positions on track; Purdue Univer- sity band plays On the Banks of the Wabash. 10 Celebrity caravan. 10: 15 Cars warm up engines. 10:23 Cars shut off engines. 10:35 Chief Steward Tom Binford makes final track Inspection.

10:42 Star Spangled Banner, played by the Purdue band. 10:45 Invocation. 10:46 Playing of Taps; combined U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard. 10:48 Singing of Back Home Again in Indiana.

10:51 Traditional command: "Lady and gentlemen, start your engines." 10:52 Chevrolet Camaro pace car driven by Jim Perkins leads starters on parade and pace laps. 11 flying start of the 77th Indianapolis 500, 200 laps around the 212-mile, asphalt on brick IMS track. r-. (W fz speed up three notches, but the excitement was created by a driver who was clocked at 212.154 mph over 10 laps. The legendary Foyt made his 1993 driving debut In his LolaFord.

The King, who hinted he would make a record 36th qualifying attempt, took to the oval at 1:25 p.m. and created a media circus shortly thereafter at his garage. "Through the years, the fans Is what has kept A.J. Foyt going," he said. "I've got some letters from people who want to see me retire but for every one letter I got I've got a hundred that say please, please come back.

I don't feel I owe 'em nothing but I enjoy 'em, I love 'em and that's one reason I still like to go out there." Luyendyk's speed reached 225.898 in his Ford-powered Lola. The day's only incidents were pit-related Hiro Matsushita and Tracy spinning. Matsushita, who broke his leg In practice last year, was going about 80 mph when he lost control and nearly hit several pit crew members, including Mears. Tracy did a complete spin and got straight in time to enter the pits. Neither Matsushita nor Tracy was injured.

Both cars escaped concrete. Wednesday, May 12 Nigel Mansell mania officially arrived at the Speedway when the reigning Formula One champion was cleared to drive. Shortly after the track opened at 11 a.m., a host of reporters, photographers and onlookers watched the Newman-Haas team roll Mansell's No. 5 to the pits. At 11:24, the first phase of the U.S.

Auto Club's rookie test began. At 2:45 p.m., he was cleared for speed. Which he did. It wasn't long until his LolaFord topped 220 mph. At the end of the session he had the day's fourth-best time (222.855).

"We approached the day with the goal of getting the rookie test done as quickly as possible," Mansell said at a crowded news conference. "I think the car is better than I anticipated It to be. "I'm thrilled." So was Raul Boesel, who posted the day's top speed at 224.461, the first time Dick Simon's team had been No. 1 at Indy. Tracy was second quick at 224.137.

Of the four accidents, rookie Robbie Buhl's was most significant. The Detroit native hit Turn 2 nearly head-on and suffered a concussion and shoulder injury, a combination which kept him in Methodist Hospital overnight. Buhl did not, however, Incur major foot Injuries as the extra 5 Inches required at the front of the cars apparently was sufficient protection. Jones, Bentley and Olivier Grouil-lard also made contact with the walls, all without injury. Thursday, May 13 Luyendyk took the speed chart up another notch with his lap of 226.182.

Otherwise, It was a quiet day, Gordon slapped the short-chute wall, the second such Incident of his rookie May. Buhl was released from Methodist Hospital, but he was not cleared to drive. Friday, May 14 Boesel's hot lap, the day's best, came 5 minutes before the end of practice. His 225.592 was the second-best tour of the Speedway. There were three incidents, one causing serious injury to Bentley, The Canadian was exiting Turn 4 when he realized his cockpit was getting hot.

By the time he scrambled out onto the track's surface, he was on fire. The clear flames burned through Bentley's gloves to his hands and finger tips. He was taken to Methodist Hospital with first- and second-degree burns, Including some on his neck and face. Car oimer Dale Coyne said the fire started When the fuel pressure 0 patriarch of the sport, had the top practice speed at 222.124 mph, nearly 2 mph faster than second place Jeff Andretti, his youngest son. Aside from the late Andretti flurry, there was little left to open eyes.

Roberto Guerrero had the only Incident, glancing off the wall while trying to avoid Jeff Andretti, who had slid across the deceleration lane In Turn 3. "My heart has never beat so fast," said Guerrero. "It was so scary and I thought I was going to end up In a huge accident." "1 thought I was going a reasonable speed but I got on the apron too fast and It was like ice," said Andretti. Sunday, May 9 Day 2 of practice was Day 1 for Team Penske, the group which opened its 25th year at the Speedway seeking a record 12th pole. Paul Tracy, who had a two-lap lead at Phoenix, had a day's best 223.931 in his Marlboro car.

Teammate Emerson Fittipaldi ran 219.469 in his debut. The season's second straight 80-degree day kept speeds relatively in check. The day's best quote came from Tracy, who immediately sounded like the retired Rick Mears, his Indy coach. "We're not going to get In a battle for who's going to get the Sure, Paul. The day's only incident Involved, for the second day In a row, Jeff Andretti.

The Pagan Racing entry had a motor blow up which led to oil reaching the exhaust. It created a sizable fire as he entered the pits. Monday, May 10 Another day of heat kept speeds down, as Tracy and Fittipaldi fought to get their cars to 220.7. Tracy had a 500-mile test session canceled by an oil leak after five laps. Several other drivers had trouble as well, including Ross Bentley, Davy Jones, Nelson Piquet and Robby Gordon, who placed tire marks on the Speedway's new 42-lnch walls.

Piquet had the most exciting ride. Exiting Turn 2, his new Lola bobbled and shot toward the wall. The former Formula One champion corrected the loose Menard entry before hitting head-on, but he couldn't control the two slaps his car gave the wall. Piquet, who severely injured his feet In a Turn 4 crash here last year, was unhurt by this mishap, the first time IMS' safety crew had been called to the scene in '93. Tuesday, May 11 Arie Luyendyk took ihe month's top ByCurtCavin STAR STAFF WRITER Rain spent less than one full day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this month, perhaps the most perfect I weather month In Speedway history, Forty-five drivers combined for more than 20,000 laps around the 2W-mlle oval, parlaying the blue skies with the green track groove, rede-j signed during the off-season to slow the cars.

The Goodyear Tire Rubber the exclusive tire supplier to the i teams for more than 20 years, was caught off guard by the record activity. Tire rations had to be Issued during the second week for those cars already 1 In the field. I There were other noteworthy events. The changes In the radius of the track's corners and the increased safety demands of the cars were credited with keeping the drivers safe during accidents. Eric Bachelart, Robbie Buhl, Robby Gordon, Buddy Lazier and Paul Tracy were Just a few of the drivers who escaped injury after losing tire traction.

i It also was an emotional month. A.J. Foyt practiced at more than 220 mph and publicly announced his second retirement. The 35-year veteran of the Indianapolis 500 decided he I needed to keep a closer eye on his team and his new driver (Gordon). Ironically, Gordon's second-weekend qualifying attempt was shut down when his car ran out of fuel, a mistake of the crew.

Later In the second weekend, Bobby Rahal was put on the hot seat literally. The 1986 "500" winner and defending IndyCar series champion I was eventually bumped from the field by Eddie Cheever, who at the last I minute was put in a fourth John Men-; ard car. Rahal, trying to retaliate in the waning minutes of qualifications, could not get his backup car to go fast enough. Rahal would miss his first "500" since arriving as a rookie in 1982. The following is a day-by-day look at the month leading up to the 1993 race, Including a recap of some of the drivers who made this starting field one of the closest in history: Saturday, May 8 i What started as a hot day by weath-; er standards got hotter as a record crowd and record track activity opened the month.

Thirty-three cars felt their way around Indy's narrower playing field, producing a set of speeds slower than fans and drivers had grown accustomed to. Mario Andretti, the great 1 to get emotional like this, but for 35 This was a more vulnerable version of a colorful character who once ruled race tracks, packed grandstands, Intimidated officials, terrorized tire engineers, ran off reporters and made dally headlines. It definitely wasn't the same driver who conquered Langhorne's treacherous turns, muscled a sprinter around Winchester or put a dirt car on the pole next to Jimmy Clark's sophisticated Lotus. A. true friends and former competitors knew they haven't seen that Foyt for at least 10 years.

"It's not for me to say when somebody should quit I've hinted at It a few times to him over the years but to each his own," said Parnelll Jones, who walked away from Indy while still in his prime. "I know everybody was disappointed he kept racing after he got hurt. "But I remember how tough he was." Unsurpassed, If not seldom passed, was Foyt's moniker. He captured Indy twice in a roadster and two more times In one of those "funny-looking cars" with the engine in the rear. His record 67 Indy-car victories were spread out over one-mile ovals, May 15 Two drivers sat on the pole but one driver sat on the stage.

At 10:40 a.m., Foyt rolled his car onto the track and past the large crowd. Few knew what was going on. A.J. did. He was saying good-bye.

"It's a hard decision," an emotional Foyt said over the IMS public address system, "but there comes a time He could not continue. The vekran of 35 Indy starts the his driver, Gordon, in thl' if up there, looking at the people trying to years I've been looking i produce for them. It's a hard decision, but there comes a time Foyt farewell a fitting finale for faster than Luyendyk's best of the month. Andretti had benefit of the day's perfect speed conditions. The high temperature was 66 at 2 p.m.

but by Happy Hour it was in the high 50s with clouds rolling in. Jim Crawford was quickest of the non-qualified cars, taking his Bud-weiser car to 221.212. Gordon, Brabham and John Andretti, all without starting spots, were over 220. It was an Incident-free day. Friday, May 21 What had been seen as a busy month was confirmed by two things: Jeff Andretti turned the track's lap of May and the Goodyear Co.

confirmed it was getting low on tires. Goodyear field manager John Sllk-kerveer said that each qualified car had been placed on a two-set limit so that each car trying to make the race would have sufficient opportunity to find speed against the track's new configuration. "Fifty-thousand miles is two trips around the world," said Slikkerveer. "We brought more tires than we've ever brought before and usually we're way over." John Andretti was fitted for his third different seat, earning a starting spot from Foyt's team after testing the cars for Matsushita and Ribbs. Two developments came from the Coyne Racing garage.

Buhl announced he would pass on any further shot at the '93 field and Coyne purchased a '91 Lola from Turley Motorsports, a car which Bachelart would later attempt to qualify. The car was raced last year by Ted Prappas. Dominic Dobson had the day's only scare, sliding more than 900 feet exiting Turn 1 before lightly hitting the wall. He was not hurt. Ten non-qualified cars ran 218 mph on the cool day.

Mansell wa the fastest overall at 225.468. Saturday, May 22 The eventful qualifying day began with the continuation of the John Andretti saga. Like a pupil being honored by a teacher, Andretti was told by Foyt, his godfather, that he would be driving a second Foyt car. Eddie Cheever, who lost his car's rear cowling during the morning practice session, started the qualifying with a 216.415 average. Olivier Grouillard, Crawford and Matsushita all stuck machines In the show in the day's first 20 minutes.

Then the track warmed up. The action did likewise shortly before 5 p.m. Andretti and new teammate Gordon put the Foyt team squarely in the field with back-to-back runs. Davy Jones became the 33rd qualifier at 5:12 and soon the two-day bumping process was underway. Brabham bumped Mark Smith, who returned to bump Cheever.

After Buddy Lazier spun and Theys waved off an attempt, Ribbs earned his second Indy start and bumped Grouillard. Dominic Dobson closed the track with a fast run in a year-old Galmer chassis, bumping Pruett. The field seemed set as the weather forecast called for an 80 percent chance of rain. Bobby Rahal, the 1986 "500" winner and the defending IndyCar series champion, had hope. Though on the bubble, his place seemed safe.

Sunday, May 23 The rain came as expected, but it came during the morning. By noon, the skies were dry and the track was, too. At 1:21 p.m., the facility was ready for a qualltylng attempt. Strong wind gusts prevented anyone from risking a run until late afternoon. At 5:10 p.mfl Cheever drove front row with Boesel third at 222.379.

The first three spots were occupied by three different teams. A total of 15 cars qualified. Sunday, May 16 Eleven drivers earned temporary starting spots, including the second straight qualifying effort by Lyn St. James, the second woman to reach the grid at Indy. The speeds ranged from the 214.356 of Mark Smith the first driver named Smith to qualify at IMS to fellow rookie Stephan Gregoire, who upstaged the first-year "500" qualifying efforts of Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet and Stefan Johansson with a four-lap tour at 220.851.

Former champions Al Unser (217.453) and Bobby Rahal (217.140) also qualified as did Jeff Andretti, Teo Fabl, Gary Bettenhausen, Jimmy Vasser, Stan Fox and Tony Bettenhausen. Derrick Walker called to the driver bullpen for Indy veteran John Andretti to help Willy T. Ribbs pitch a better car. Mario's nephew got In a few shakedown laps and moved into Walker's other car, assigned to Hiro Matsushita, for some test miles. Soon, all three were running fast.

Monday, May 17 Despite a sunny day, most of the teams decided to take time off. Three non-qualified cars saw action with John Andretti (220.157) and Matsushita (217.633) using the same Panasonic-sponsored car. Marco Greco and Rocky Moran also were among the 17 cars which practiced. There were no accidents. Tuesday, May 18 The first significant rain of the month perhaps that should be highlighted delayed practice until shortly after 3 p.m.

Eventually, blue skies and a cool track led to several significant speeds, including John-Andretti's 217.019 good enough to make the field In Matsushita's backup car. Fabl, who had engine troubles the previous day, brought his secondary machine out for a 223.381 lap, the hot circuit of the day. Piquet and Boesel also spent time shaking down cars they had no intention of driving race day. Piquet took the car assigned to Geoff Brabham to 221.163, while Boesel took the Simon Racing backup Ford to 220.340. There were no Incidents in three hours of practice.

Wednesday, May 19 It was a day make that a half-hour car owner Dale Coyne would like to forget. Two of his drivers crashed within 29 minutes. First, Eric Bachelart spun in Turn 1 and pounded the wall, delivering a significant punch to the car's nose and right side. The Belgian driver suffered bruises to his knees and feet but did not suffer the career-threatening Injuries of Rick Mears, Jeff Andretti, Nelson Piquet and the like. As Coyne was watching replays of the crash, another television monitor showed a car sliding out of control.

Coyne thought It was Bachelart. It wasn't. Instead, Robbie Buhl crunched Turn 2 with tremendous velocity. Like with Bachelart, the car was damaged beyond Speedway repair. Two days later Buhl announced that he was done for the month.

Coyne would keep trying. Thursday, May 20 The 20th annual Art Pollard Picnic started what proved to be the fastest day of the month. Mario Andretti, looking anything but like a man 53 years old, smoked his tires and his coiftpetition with a lap of 227.118, more than 1 mph Marlboro 93 PenskeChevy-c, wnne also shaking down teammate Paul Tracy's wheels. Tracy didn't participate because he was back home in Canada for the birth of his first child, a 7-pound, 8-ounce girl named Aly-sha. Al Unser Jr.

and his Galles Racing team won the Miller Pit Stop Competition, beating Mario Andretti and his crew In the finals with a time of 13.118 seconds to Andretti's 16.104. The winning crew was led by chief mechanic Owen Snyder and included tire changers John Stanchina, Paul Hennessy and Mitch Davis, fueler Wayne Selman and vent man Gary Armentrout. Star Photo Bob Goshert BUBBLE VICTIM: Bobby Rahal (top) rode the bubble and it ended up bursting yi him. Star Staff Photo Patrick Schneider the May 15 crowd. the 'King "He set the standard In the Industry for a lot of years," said Mears.

"He made racing what It is today and you hate to see him go but it wasn't really shock or surprise." As mentioned, Foyt really began slowing down in the early '80s on and off the track. Racing wasn't occupying all of his thoughts and time. His preparation shadowed his performance and he became a part-timer still possessing the talent but not getting the results. He made a courageous comeback from a horrific accident at Elkhart Lake, in 1990 competing in eight races in '91. But not competing like the real A.J.

Foyt. "A.J. is a legend at the Speedway and around the racing community," said Al Unser Jr. "But It was time for him to hang up his spurs." Foyt's farewell was as perfect as It was overdue. Taking that last lap around the track where he nourished his reputation and was worshiped for most of his 35 consecutive Mays gave fans one last chance to salute No.

14. "This was the place that made A.J. Foyt," he said, pausing to acknowledge the cheers, "and this was the place to quit." Luyendyk, only 10 permitted checkered flags to fall. With the track warming up, all the non-qualifiers decided to wait until late afternoon before challenging Andretti and the provisional grid. At 5:01 p.m., Luyendyk led the Happy Hour charge.

All four of the 1990 winner's laps were quicker than Andrew's average, giving Chip Ganas-si's team the No. 1 spot for race day along with the $100,000 bonus from series sponsor PPG. The Dutch- fan had an average of 223.867. Andretti wound up secoml on the A.J. Foyt (ri ight) tells Tom Carnegie and dirt tracks and road courses.

In 1964, there were 13 US Auto Club champ car shows and A.J. was first in 10 of them. He also won 53 pole positions, Including four at the Speedway. On his way lup the USAC ladder, Foyt won 28 sprint-car, features and 20 main events in the midgets. For fun, he also added 41 USAC stock-car victories.

His versatility showed In that he's the only driver to ever win Indy, the Daytona 500 and the, 24 Hours of LeMans. Whether it was a sprinter at Terre Haute, a midget at Ascot Park, a dirt car at Duguoln, a stocker at Darlington or an Indy car at Phoenix, Foyt was always the man to beat. "He always went at It hard and it was that extra 10 percent that made him so good that; and he was a Texan, of course," said Jones, one of Foyt's fiercest foes. "He always had that extra little edge, that will to win that makes a great driver." Rick Mears, the Indy master who called it quits last winter after four wins and six pole positions, grew up idolizing Foyt before he began running side-by-side with him in the late '70s. morning practice session was the final straw in his decision to retire.

"I had to make a decision as a car owner whether or not sit down," said Foyt. "It's Mario Andretti was hoping it was his time, only the U969 champion wanted the pole. The day's first driver to take a green flag Stan Fox waved off a low 217 attempt Andretti finished his four laps with a 223.414 average. Then he had to wait out his competition. While 21 Exempts wets made in the next two hours, including one by a By Robin Miller STAR ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR When A.J.

Foyt took his last lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 15, it was an emotional moment for the 150,000 fans and the man they cheered for five decades. After 35 consecutive Indianapolis 500s, 369 Indy-car starts, 67 victories, six national championships, numerous broken bones, bad burns and good memories, the 58-year-old road warrior finally acknowledged the move-over flag. "It's a very sad day for me and a very happy day this has been my life here," said Foyt, who broke down while being Interviewed on the public address system. "I hate to get emotional like this, but for 35 years I've been looking up there, looking at the people trying to produce for them like they expect you to, "It's a hard decision, but there comes a time I don't know what to say." As the crowd stood and roared to honor Indy's first four-time winner, one sensed this was not the same ornery, short-fused, Irreverent, stubborn, feisty, irascible, tempestuous Texan at whom we've all enjoyed and, sometimes, shaken our heads. regulator split.

Coyne was miffed, however, about how the fire could have come forward to the cockpit. The other Incidents Involved Didier Theys and Mario Andretti. Theys lost control of his car and slammed the inside wall in Turn 4, causing a massive flash of fire near the U.S. Auto Club's observer's stand. Late in the day, Andretti came roaring out of the pits onto the new war-mup lane.

As he reached to close his helmet visor, he skidded off the road and into the grass. Neither he nor his car was injured-, Star Staff Photo Jeff Atteberry MANSELL DEBUT: Workers scurry to prepare the LolaFord of Nigel Manse'I, who madeps first Speedway appearance Miy 12. fc), u.j j.fiul.