The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 29

I THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR WWW.INDYSTAR.COM SpOftS MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2005 D7 AUTO RACING CHAMP CAR NOTEBOOK Eace will choose between groups "We'll have something in the next 45 to 60 days, probably earlier because we all need to start making plans for 2006." "That's not our job." Kalkhoven is threatening to go elsewhere in the Los Angeles area if Champ Car loses Long Beach. "Every good businessman has contingency plans and we have ours," he said. "I hope it doesn't come to that." Etc. Katherine Legge, 24, became the first woman to win a CART- or Champ Car-sanctioned race in Sunday's Toyota Atlantic season opener at Long Beach. The British driver took the lead on the 30th of 32 laps when Rocky Moran Jr.

had a mechanical problem and then held off Antoine Bessette to the finish. "Today was my day," said Legge, one of 15 rookies in the 19-driver field. The last woman to win a major rear-engine open-wheel race was Desiree Wilson at Brands Hatch, England, in 1980. Champ Car signed a memorandum of understanding with a promoter for its planned 2006 race in Beijing. Call Star reporter Steve Ballard at (317) 444-6184.

ries are going and how that overlays with where Dover wants to go." The IRL is new to street racing but showed it could stage a successful event with last weekend's debut at St. Petersburg, Fla. IRL president Brian Barnhart called that a "big checkmark on our resume" and said he hopes Long Beach was watching. Toyota has been a sponsor in Long Beach since it began in 1975 and became a Formula One event the following year. Toyota is involved in the IRL as an engine manufacturer, but Toyota motor sports manager Les linger said the company is eager to stay with whichever series prevails.

"Our interest in title sponsorship isn't predicated on being a competitor," he said. "We've been involved here 31 years and haven't had a car racing (in the main event) except for seven of those (Toyota was a CART engine supplier from 1996-2002)." Unger said he doesn't expect the Dover group to seek Toyota's input. "We'll have no say in determining who is racing here," he said. better in a boardroom than he did in a courtroom. The decision this time will be made by officials of Dover Motorsports a public company and parent of the Long Beach Grand Prix Association.

Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the local association, expects the decision to come soon. "We'll have something in the next 45 to 60 days, probably earlier because we all need to start making plans for 2006," he said. Rumors abound that the Dover group is looking to unload the race and sell the contract to the highest bidder. Michaelian said he has received no indication of that, but "you can never say with certainty what any company is going to do." Australian billionaire Kevin Kalkhoven, who has emerged as the leader of Champ Car's three-man ownership group, said retaining Long Beach is a high priority, but he won't be lured into a bidding war. "Certainly we'll make a bid," he said while denying a report in the Long Beach Press-Telegram that Champ Car has offered to waive its $2.4 million sanctioning Contract with Champ Car expires; IRL wants to take over street race.

By Steve Ballard steve.ballardgiindystar.com LONG BEACH, Calif. The last time the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series went head-to-head, in January 2004 in federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis, the judgment went Champ Car's way. The scene shifts west for the next skirmish in this long-running battle for U.S.-based open-wheel supremacy. At stake is the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the jewel of U.S. street racing that since 1984 has been a fixture on the schedule of Champ Car and its predecessor, CART.

For IRL founder Tony George, the primary motivation in going to bankruptcy court was to secure the rights to Long Beach. He lost then, but now has another chance as Champ Car's contract with Long Beach expired with Sunday's race. George is counting on faring NHRA Johnson, 61, motors to Pro Stock win Associated Press BAYTOWN, Texas Warren Johnson became the oldest driver to win a pro drag race, and Tony Schumacher raced to his 23rd career Top Fuel victory Sunday at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. The 61-year-old Johnson took the Pro Stock race, finishing in 6.714 seconds at 205.01 mph for his 93rd career win. He beat Jason Line, who clocked in at 6.735 at 204.29.

Eddie Hill was 60 when he won in Top Fuel on July 21, 1996, at the Mile-High Nationals. Schumacher won for the second time this year, beating Cory McClenathan in the final with a record speed of 33532 mph. "That final is how it is supposed to be, the No.l guy racing the No. 2 guy in the final," said Schumacher, who extended his points lead from eight to 52. "We had both been running great all day and it came down to a 450 beating a 451.

That was just an awesome race." Rookie Robert Hight and Karen Stoffer also won their divisions in the $1.7 million event. Hight earned his first Funny Car victory, powering to a 4.786-second, 326.16-mph win over Cruz Pedregon (4.818, 321.12). Stoffer claimed her second career victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle by finishing in 7.173 at 188.12, beating first-time finalist Kurt Matte, who posted a 7.209 at 179.44. Jim Michaelian, local event president fee for a year. "That's quite fascinating.

We've had no discussions. Wherever that came from, it's wrong." What Champ Car can offer is a successful 22-year history at Long Beach and a loyal fan base in the area. Also, the last CART chairman, Chris Pook, preceded Michaelian as president of the local association and still wields considerable influence. But Michaelian said sentiment won't come into play. If so, that could tilt the decision toward the IRL, which can offer more sponsors and manufacturers, plus more better-known drivers and teams.

"It's not about what has happened in the past," Michaelian said. "We'll look at where both se Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Top finishers) Driver 1. Sebastien Bourdais 2. Paul Tracy 3. Bruno Junqueira 4.

Justin Wilson 5. Mario Dominguez 6. Timo Glock 7. Ronnie Bremer 8. A.J.

Allmendinger 9. Jimmy Vasser 10. Cristiano da Matta Note: All cars LolaFord-Cosworth Series points leaders: Bourdais, 34; Tracy, 29; Junqueira, 27; Wilson, 24; Dominguez, 22 tires for the final stint while Tracy was using the optionals. A late caution gave Tracy one last chance, but a lapped car between him and Bourdais on the restart kept him from getting a good jump. "After that, I just settled in and decided to take what we could get," the Canadian said after finishing 4.138 seconds behind.

Justin Wilson and Mario Dom-inguez finished fourth and fifth, respectively, and Timo Glock was sixth, best of the seven rookies in the 19-car field. Champ Car resumes its 14-race schedule May 22 at Monterrey, Mexico. By then, Bourdais should know if his win was just the first of this season, or the last of an era. Call Star reporter Steve Ballard at (317) 444-6184. faster but less durable, Bourdais worked his way to second and then locked in on Tracy.

The pass turned out to be a lot easier than he expected. "I got a tow from Paul that took me all the way up to him at the braking point (entering the first turn)," Bourdais said. "He was very fair and kept his line. "My crew was pretty surprised I had that shot on Paul. I was, too.

I came on the radio and said, 'How about Tracy grinned. "As you can imagine," he said, "my reaction was the opposite." Except for briefly surrendering the lead on his last pit stop, Bourdais was in control thereafter. The margin grew to nearly seven seconds, which the defending se-, ries champion was able to maintain despite being on standard They've done everything they can to try to keep this race. "It's going to turn into a political fight now, a money fight, when it should be about what the fans want. It would be an absolute shame if we weren't back here to put on another show like this next year." Added Junqueira: "I hope the city and organizers don't want to take a risk and change series because the way it is, it's just getting better." After taking a back seat to Tracy and Junqueira through two days of practice and qualifying, Bourdais showed them his backside on the day it mattered most.

Starting fourth, his lowest in 16 races, Bourdais bided his time while pole sitter Tracy and Junqueira took turns in front. Using the optional softer tires that are Bourdais Frenchman finds pass for lead easier than expected. From D1 jewel of U.S. street racing. "We definitely want to be back, no matter what it takes," Bourdais said.

"We are selling tickets because people want to be here." Attendance Sunday was estimated at 70,000, about the same as last year. "I've been coming to this race since 1991 and I saw more enthusiasm from the crowds than I've seen in a long, long time," said Tracy, whose bid for a third consecutive Long Beach win and fifth overall was denied. "There's not much else Champ Car can do. TjirMRriRi ft KUU3GM.I ir 1 Hour of Pleasure in 5 Minutes! Nowvaitatte! Fast Acting Medication, Works in Minutes! GfeouH trirllul.ii-i'll'f llm'-g 12-60 BOO I I UPFRONT I I MONTHS FULL FINANCING EXTENDED PAYMENTS AVAILABLE (NO MONEY DOWN) I -iSSMMEimi 1 Regaining my own natural hair gave me the edge I needed to feel more self-confident about launching my new business. Cary Blanchard (Business Owner and Patient) 1 -7 The Only (iiiarantml Growing Permanent Solution to Hair Ijks, -13 Years of Experience Dedicated to Hair Restoralion.

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From D1 Martin past Ryan Newman for third on the 461st lap, went underneath Martin for second three laps later and caught and passed Sterling Marlin for the lead with 34 laps remaining. From then on, it was smooth sailing to his 71st career victory and second in six races this year. It was his sixth victory at 0526-mile Martinsville, the shortest and trickiest track in the premier series. Only Rusty Wallace, with seven, has more among active drivers. "There's something special about this place and we lost so many incredible people, part of this organization and racing community, and I think it's only fitting for us to get this victory," Gordon said.

Gordon's only drama as he pulled away from the field was getting around defending series champion Kurt Busch, who had been running with the leaders with 53 laps remaining until Gordon nudged him into the wall. "We were just two people fighting for one position and neither one of us wanted to give it up," Gordon said. Later, running three laps down, Busch banged into the leader during side-by-side racing in the front stretch before Gordon broke free. "That was just showing my disappointment," Busch said of the banging. Once Gordon got around Busch, he was gone, and the 16th caution flag with less than 10 laps to go didn't hinder him, either.

He pulled away from Kasey Kahne with three laps to go and won by 0.593 seconds. Gordon's Chevrolet and Kahne's Dodge were followed across the line by Martin's Ford, the Dodge of Newman and Wallace, also in a Dodge. Advance Auto Parts 500 (Top finishers) Driver Car 1. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 2. Kasey Kahne Dodge 3.

Mark Martin Ford 4. Ryan Newman Dodge 5. Rusty Wallace Dodge 6. Sterling Marlin Dodge 7. Ricky Rudd Ford 8.

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