The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 16

It (fc Continued from Page 1 Belle Island track not fit for race cars rf ft A V)V hi ii I 1 1. f'. a If XL HELPING HANDS: Greg Moore gets a lift from his crew after another CART victory. Ailing Tracy is a prerace scratch 'J. Associated Press mm Detroit Grand Prix (Top finishers) u.

Associated Press TAKING A SPIN: Andre Ribeiro loses control of his Lola-Honda behind Richie Hearn in Turn 4 at the Detroit Grand Prix. The pit crew was awesome today," Gordon said. "That's what did it, getting me out in front." The work of Ray Evernham's crew enabled Gordon to extend his series lead In victories this year. Gordon beat the Ford of Jeff Burton by 1.415 seconds to win for the 25th time in 4'A seasons on the Winston Cup circuit. "We didn't have a great race car, but we stayed after them all day," Evernham said.

Gordon said he was fearful that Burton might close on him late In the race. "We had a piece of rubber that fell down on the track bar, but we just didn't get the opportunity to adjust it." Burton said. The victory also gave Gordon a tie in the series standings with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Terry Labonte and an $80,000 payoff for gaining it with a victory. Gordon paced all but 10 of the last 68 laps, and 59 overall, in a race that featured 25 lead changes among a season-high 15 drivers. The winner's average speed was slowed to 139.828 mph by four cautions spread over 22 laps.

Fords took the next five positions behind Gordon, with Dale Jarrett finishing third ahead of Mark Martin, Jeremy Mayfield and Ted Musgrave. Darrell Waltrlp was seventh in a Chevy, followed by Geoff Bodine's Ford and Terry Labonte's Chevy. Seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt was 10th In a Chevy, extending his winless streak to 40 races. A loss next Sunday at Michigan would make It ft. LUYEEIDYK Continued from Page 1 tlon adjusted back to his 208th lap, hence the lap total changes of several drivers.

Luyendyk finished a lap ahead. It was the first post-race leader change in Indy-car racing since 1985, when CART replaced Pan-cho Carter with Johnny Rutherford at Sanair Speedway in St. Pie, Quebec. A different sort of disaster was avoided when Tony Stewart, believed to be the leader on Lap 206, lost an engine and crashed. Luyendyk's pass of Stewart on Lap 190 became the final pass for the lead, although Stewart then believed that Luyendyk was two laps behind him.

Luyendyk and Team Menard already have a strained relationship from working together in 1995. When Luyendyk was not scored as the winner Saturday night, he stormed into victory circle to confront Boat and his car owner, A.J. Foyt. Foyt responded by knocking Luyendyk to the ground. When USAC chief steward Keith Ward announced the scoring decision Sunday morning, his voice was somber.

Art Graham, USAC's timing and scoring director, was still dressed In a race uniform, having never left the track. They looked defeated. "We are embarrassed," Ward said. Eddie Gossage, general manager of the Texas track, became incensed when Ward opened the nationally televised news conference by inadvertently suggesting that the Texas speedway was to blame. "The timing equipment is owned by USAC; the timing lines were put in (this week) by USAC; the timing equipment is operated by USAC; am I wrong?" Gossage asked Ward at the podium.

"We've had only two problems in an otherwise totally perfect week and both of them involved USAC timing and scoring. I'm simply going to tell you, USAC's performance was totally unaccept-able," Gossage said. Graham tried to explain how radio transmitters in those five cars (Luyendyk, Boat, Goodyear, Eddie Cheever and Greg Ray) had "Intermittent malfunctions." Located in the left sidepod of the cars, they failed to relay a signal to the electronic scoring system when they passed over the line in the pits. That is how Luyendyk lost two laps, one on each of his first two stops. Graham knew early there were scoring Inconsistencies, but he felt he had a sufficient explanation and that at no time did it Involve the winner.

The Data-1 electronic scoring and timing system, used Vi IlWMill llMtlwl DETROIT Championship Auto Racing Teams has fierce competition, the fastest race cars in the world, a wealth of talent, $400 million worth of sponsorship and one annual eyesore. The ITT (Incredibly Terrible Track) Grand Prix. Even though the PPGCART series has become an international success, one of its American venues needs to be deep-sixed. In the Detroit River. This temporary circuit and Its surrounding grounds are not suitable for racing of this caliber.

It's fine for Dodge Neons or go-karts, COMMENTARY but It's embarrassing for CART's technically challenged cars to be crawling around this concrete cataclysm. It's too narrow to pass, race or even get out of the way. Bobby Rahal was yelled at Friday for blocking two drivers and a couple of minutes later three other gujra Lame up auu ajjuiugiicu lui holding up the three-time CART champion. It was a bad layout in 1992, and nothing has changed. The only passes, on the track, for the lead in Sunday's show were when Mauriclo Gugelmin, then Mark Blundell, ran out of fuel while holding the top spot.

Greg Moore dodged their slowing cars and triumphed. Earlier. Gil de Ferran and Jimmy Vasser brought a roar from the press room when they actually got around Roberto Moreno at speed. street racing is part of CART's landscape and versatility. It does serve a useful purpose in Long Beach, Australia, Toronto and Vancouver because it draws major crowds In cosmopolitan cities.

But there is no redeeming value this boring parade in Motown. There used to be a theory that CART needed to be in the USA's automotive capital because of its obvious connection. a crock. Other than Ford, no CART manufacturers have any ties to Detroit. Once, it was a big deal for PPG Industries, the series sponsor, to entertain customers, but that end- ed when PPG quit providing a hospitality tent.

This track doesn't do CART's racers Justice, and that also includes the crews. Last year, the paddock was under water and a mud bog. Some loose gravel and straw replaced the mud, but it's Insulting for million-dollar operations to work in this low-rent environment. Several teams formed an Impromptu club this weekend: M.A.D. Mechanics Against De-: troit.

The drivers hate this place, al- Jhough it's not politically correct to badmouth the track as Michael IAndrettididin 1992. 1- "It's an enjoyable track to drive," Moore said after his second consecutive CART victory. "You know, going through the (Jpars unrWintf ViarH "As far as racing goes, it's A week after watching CART's entertaining show on the Milwaukee Mile, it's so painful to witness -this Motown Monotony. -'-The worst news of the weekend was that the International Management Group extended its contract with CART to run here through 2002 with a promise to make the track more raceable in -J998. I That's not likely, unless they move to an airport.

In a series that plans to add Houston and Japan In 1998, I CART would miss Belle Isle like it does USAC officiating. A c5 FREE Buffet Daily WntOnly FREE Ribeye SfMk Buffi BabtiWettOnly $und3-T Im Stoo Unnrie Shorn Roth Locatiom Evtrr Friday WEST Open Dally 38th Lafayette Rd. 299-0433 Associated Press HAPPY COUPLE: Jeff Gordon and his wife, Brooke, stand in victory lane at Pocono International Raceway. The native Hoosier has now won 25 races in 412 years on the NASCAR circuit. the worst run of his career.

Burton, who eventually blew an engine in his Pontiac, led the most laps with 60. Gordon remained the only Chevy driver to have won this year. Fords have taken the other seven races. Gordon also joined Bobby Allison and the late Tim Richmond as the only repeat winners of the event. SpeedNet has more Got a NASCAR related question? Ask our Team Pennzoil experts, they cover Winston Cup and the truck series.

StarNews Online, SpeedNet and Indiana's Game are on the Internet's World Wide Web at http:www.stamews.com EXECUTIVE DECISION: USAC officials Keith Ward (left) and Art Graham announce that Arie Luyen-dyk is the new winner of the True Value 500K. Associated Press True Vcfco CCCX (Top finishers) Driver Equipment 1. Arte Luyendyk G-A 2. Billy Boat G-A 3. Davey Hamilton G-A 4.

Scott Goodyear G-A 5. Tony Stewart G-A 6. Eddie Cheever Jr. G-A 7. Eliseo Salazar 0-A 8.

Greg Ray D-A 9. Vincemo Sosptri G-A 10. Johnny Unser G-l Chassis: D-DaBara, G-G-Force Engines: A-Aurora, Hnfinitl Series point leaders: Hamilton 175, Stewart 166, Buzz Calkins 153, Mike Graft 148, Luyendyk 147. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1989, was reliable, he felt. Graham audited all three systems USAC employs, two of which are manual.

Then he checked Luyendyk's data. "We were wrong," he said. Foyt telephoned his team spokesman Sunday morning to announce "that we feel we are right" in claiming victory. Team manager Tommy LaMance met with Ward and Graham twice Sunday but could not sway them. LaMance said he intends to fly to USAC headquarters in Indianapolis "Tuesday or Wednesday" to file a protest on behalf of Foyt.

That must be done by noon Thursday. Ward said there must be data to support Foyt's position. The chief steward could not predict when a final decision would be made. Luyendyk and his car owner, Fred Treadway, were satisfied with the decision and supported the IRL and USAC. "It took a lot of (gumption) to admit that they screwed up," Treadway said.

Luyendyk's team contacted USAC as soon as the team realized the problem after a green-flag pit stop on Lap 63. USAC officials Mike Devin and Joie Chitwood visited Luyendyk's pit shortly thereafter but offered the team no satisfaction. Luyendyk's chief mechanic. Skip Faul, said the car's on-board computer showed 211 completed laps. Their pit stops were 12.6, 11.3 and 11.5 seconds in length while most of their green-flag laps were in the 213-215 mph bracket.

"There's no way he could have lost a lap," said Treadway. whose car has now won two consecutive races. Ward said the Foyt-Luyendyk scuffle would likely result In fines. He said a ruling would come later this week, Driver Equipment 1. Greg Moor R-M 2.

Michael Andrettl S-F 3. Gil de Ferran R-H 4. Jimmy Vasser R-H 5. Roberto Moreno S-F 6. Raul Boesel R-F 7.

Bryan Herta R-F 8. AlUnserJr. P-M 9. Bobby Rahal R-F 10. Juan Fangio II R-T By Robin Miller STAFF WRITER DETROIT Paul Tracy didn't lose his point lead in the PPGCART standings Sunday but he didn't have a chance to Improve on it either.

Scheduled to start 12th in the Marlboro PenskeMercedesGood-year, Tracy withdrew from the ITTDetroit Grand Prix because of mild vertigo and double vision. "You could tell Paul wasn't right after practice this morning, so we talked with Dr. Steve Olvey CART NOTEBOOK and made a decision in his best interests," said car owner Roger Penske. The 28-year-old Canadian, who won three races (Nazareth, Brazil, St. Louis) in a row, first experienced some discomfort at the Gateway oval.

"It's the highest G-force track (5.5 Gs in the corners) CART runs on and Paul had a problem with his neck muscles," Olvey said. "It could be related to how he sits In the car, but it got a little worse at Milwaukee so we gave him some physical therapy. "He had a knot in his neck Saturday and some mild vertigo so we gave him a muscle relaxer. He went out this morning and drove well, but not as fast as he's expected to. "Under heavy braking he got a little light-headed, so we felt it wouldn't be safe for him to compete." Tracy, who leads Michael An-dretti by eight points and Greg Moore by nine heading for Portland, should be ready by June 22.

Toyota moves forward Toyota finally saw, some progress out of its CART engine. MOORE Continued from Page 1 within a quarter-mile of PacWest's first checkered flag before coasting to a maddening stop. Greg Moore, who beat the fuel-mileage gods a week ago at Milwaukee to earn his initial CART victory, swept past the disabled teammates and found victory lane again. "We planned one stop from the start, and it was the right decision," said Gugelmin, who led laps 52-76 In the Hollywood Reynard-MercedesFirestone but wound up 16th. "I honestly thought I had it," said Blundell, who led for three corners in the Motorola Reynard-MercedesFlrestone and was scored 17th.

"I just couldn't believe it 1 probably only needed another cup of fuel." NOW APPEARING JUNE 9 JUNE 14 Babes West Only Busty Beauty Centerfold of the year 8th 9th Wonders of the World Discover Her 125 JJJ's 4 BIG SHOW DAILY 6-8-10-12Midnite No Cover Till 6 PM m. 3 a.m. caev 3 7259 Pendleton Pike 545-5100 With 17 cars running at the finish, Juan Fangio II came home 10th in the CastrolJockey Reyn-ardToyotaGoodyear and Max Pa-pis placed 11th In the MCI ReynardToyotaFirestone. "It was a spectacular week for Toyota, winning the Baja 500, getting two Toyotas In the points here and having all four Toyota engines finish," said Cal Wells, co-owner of Papis' car. 'This is the first time we have run the 3.2 Toyota engine in a race and we had a hell of a run In the end," said Papis, who started 20th.

Kanaan wins Lights race Pole-sitter Tony Kanaan led all 36 laps to score his initial PPGFirestone Indy Lights victory of 1997 and barely held off Team Tasman teammate Helio Castro-Neves. Kanaan picked up his third Lights victory by 0.355 of a second over Castro-Neves, who in-creaased his lead to 21 points over David Empringham. McCaw, who's been fielding a first-class CART effort since 1994, knew it would be close and suffered the spectrum of emotions on that last lap. "On the last lap I was pretty apprehensive," he admitted. "I think I stopped breathing." Moore, who ran the last 92 miles at Milwaukee on one tank of fuel in the Player's ReynardMercedesFirestone, wasn't sure what to expect.

"I was taking it easy because my guys didn't think they (Pac-West) were going to make it, then they said they might and I'd better start going," said the 22-year-old Canadian charger. In front of 61,023 fans and a national television audience, this predictable parade turned into a dramatic finish on the tight, 2.1-mile Belle Isle street course. The PacWest boys stopped on Lap 33 and held down fifth and COLLECTORS WELCOME NO DEALERS Every Tuesday Night Hoosier Sports Cards EASTGATEMAU 357-S929 Chassis: R-Reynard, L-Loia, P-Pertske, S-Swift Engines: H-Honda, F-Ford, M-Meicedes, T-Toyota Series point leaders: Paul Tracy 94, Andrew 86, Moore 85, Vasser 69, Alex Zanardi 67, Scott Pruett 65. sixth spots until the final caution flag waved on Lap 51. Moore, leading at the time, blasted Into the pits followed by de Ferran, Moreno and Michael An-drettl.

Moore took on fuel only and got out first, followed by Andrettl, Moreno and de Ferran. But Gugelmin and Blundell stayed out, along with Patrick Car-pentier, and they assumed the top three spots. That's how it stayed until Car-pentier brought the Alumax Reynard in for a splash and go on Lap 68. Moore moved Into third and began stalking McCaw's team. But beginning the last trip, it looked like Gugelmin would finally get what he's been so close to during the past three seasons: victory.

"At Milwaukee, I said we would have to give one away before we got one, and today we gave one away," said the 34-year-old Bra zilian, who started eighth. Blundell, whose best finish in two years has been eighth, blew by his disabled teammate on the short backstretch and could almost taste the champagne before his car lurched between Turns 12 and 13 of the 14-turn circuit. "I knew 1 was tight on fuel and I knew Mo was tight, but when he ran out I felt confident that I could make it to the end," said the 31-year-old Britain. Andretti went from fourth to second on that final stop and that's where he had the Kmart-Texaco SwlftFordGoodyear at the finish. Pole-sitter Gil de Ferran, who led the first 27 laps In the Valvo-line ReynardHondaGoodyear.

captured third with an awesome pass of Roberto Moreno in the closing stages. Jlllillrfc.