Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 45

30 COURIER-POST, Sunday, May 17, 1992 13D Horton switches circuits to blaze new trail Jimmy Horton, the former Hammonton resident now resides in Flemington, has announced that his Active Racing team will forego the circuit and campaign NASCAR Winston Cup ARCA series for the rest of the 1992 season. Horton, who has been tremendously successful over the last couple years on the ARCA circuit with four victories, will compete in the two Pocono races, one in June and the other in July, and at the Michigan race in June. The reason that Horton is making the jump to the big time exclusively is that he now feels that his operation is ready for such an advance. The operation is now based in Mooresville, N.C., albeit a temporary site. "Taking into consideration what is now available to us in the way of an adequate race shop, with the future in mind that we personnel, testing opportunities and Winston Cup racing exclusively for the rest of the season," Horton told Winston Cup Scene recently.

Personally, this is a move that Horton said have made five years ago. It's very hard not to be able to compete on the NASCAR circuit if you are not based in the South. It's an excellent move by Horton, who has the talent to drive a Winston Cup car, but has not had the money it takes to become successful. Through no fault of his own or the teams he has raced in the past, Horton has not had the financial windfall necessary to take on the Winston Cup Series seriously. Now it looks like he has that commitment.

It'll be interesting to see how well he does. He showed glimpses of becoming a good driver when he subbed for Darrell Waltrip two years ago when Waltrip was injured. Now he'll get a chance on his own. Snowman rained out Gene Snow, the veteran Texas Top Fueler, has called it quits for the rest of the season and will park his Mopar dragster until he can gather his wits and a decent crew. Snow said that the inexperience of his crew has hampered his efforts to be successful and that he did not want to make a sham of the Mopar name.

He did not blame the inexperienced crew for the poor showing he has had thus far, although the team cost him a shot at qualifying recently when it let an oil line explode because it failed to check for a malfunction. Snow, who is in the process of building a multiplex racing facility in Wisconsin and has a Texas oil business, said he would make an effort St. James follows dream to make Indy 500 history INDIANAPOLIS Lyn St. James wanted no more drama. She simply went out and made history.

The second woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 was the first driver to complete a four-lap, 10- mile run Saturday. She brought a sustained roar from the more than 100,000 spectators on hand for the third of four days of time trials as she averaged 220.150 mph to join Janet Guthrie in the record book. St. James made it on a day when three of the final six positions in "the 33-car field were filled. The rest will have to qualify today, although a less-than-ideal forecast called for highs in the 80s and a 70 percent chance of rain late in the afternoon.

Today's qualifications are scheduled to begin at noon and end at 6 p.m. "I was getting tired of hearing about the attempt and trying stuff, because I knew we were going to do it," St. James said after climbing out of the Chevrolet -powered 1991 Lola which did not even become available to her until Thursday. She came to the speedway with a 1991 Lola powered by an obsolete Cosworth engine, getting it up to over 219 mph in practice last week before aborting a qualifying attempt on the first weekend after averaging just over 216 for three laps. Despite a sunny, warm Saturday, clouds of uncertainty and fear hovered over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the death of rookie Jovy Marcelo of the Philippines in a Friday crash still on everyone's mind.

But St. James lifted the gloom, going out after veterans Pancho Carter and Didier Theys of Belgium both waved off after two qualifying laps slower 1 than they had hoped for. After rookie Ted Prappas warmed up on the 21-mile oval but did not take the green flag to for next season. Chevy steals Gordon In what qualifies as a major coup, Hendrick Motorsports inked up-and-coming driver Jeff Gordon to a contract for 1993, right out from under the nose of the Ford-backed owner Bill Davis. Gordon is currently driving in the Busch Grand National Series for Davis.

The 20-year-old California driver was being groomed as next Ford superstar in the Winston Cup Series. Davis was shocked and disappointed that Gordon would sign with Hendrick Motorsports, which is backed by General Motors. The signing, which occurred May 5, came out of nowhere as Gordon never said anything to Davis about what he intended to do. This comes after the Davis team was preparing to go to the Winston Cup Series with Gordon as his driver. "I think everyone recognizes there are only two manufacturers in the garage area and to burn your bridges to the ground with one of them at 20 years old isn't a smart thing to do," said Davis.

As for Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, it will be mean three teams with Kenny Schrader and Ricky Rudd already doing the Winston Cup scene. talent like Jeff doesn't come along very often," said Hendrick. "We didn' plan to add another team but Jeff's signing made that decision for us." Of course, Hendrick is saying that there wasn't any tampering involved and that Gordon did this by his own volition. URC at Bridgeport The United Racing Club will make its second appearance at Bridgeport on June 7. On May 9, Dave McGough took the first United Racing Club feature race at the Logan Township track, his first career win on the URC circuit.

The victory put McGough in third place in the URC points standings with 218 points. Billy Ellis leads with 237 followed by Jimmy Martin with 236. The URC racers are expected to make three more appearances in 1992 with the other appearances on July 5, Aug. 2 and Aug. 30.

A bit of humor The Briody Racing team of Cherry Hill will be running its Buick in Mosport, Ontario this weekend. A new sticker will appear on the Briody car, a sticker that probably should appear on a lot of racing teams' cars. It reads "Tuning by The sticker is the brain child of Pat Briody, who came up with the idea after being constantly asked who tuned the car. Her answer? "We do." ED CUNEO ED CUNEO Indianapolis 500 partial lineup The tentative partial lineup for the May 24 country, car number, chassis engine, and (R- Rookie; More qualifications on May 16-17): Row Indianapolis 500, listing driver, hometown or 4-lap average speed in miles per hour Driver Home No. Speed 2.

Eddie Cheever Aspen, Colo. 9 Lola-Ford Cosworth 229.639 1. Roberto Guerrero S.Juan Capistrano, Calif. 36 Lola Buck 232.482 3. Mario Andretti Nazareth, Pa.

2 Lola-Ford Cosworth 229.503 Row 2 4. Arie Luyendyk Netherlands 6 Cosworth 229.127 5. Gary Bettenhausen Monrovia, Ind. 51 Lo 228.932 6. Michael Andretti Nazareth, Pa.

Lola-Ford Cosworth 228.169 Row 3 7. Scott Brayton Coldwater, Mich. 23 Lola-Buick 226.142 8. Danny Sullivan Aspen, Colo. 18 Gaimer-Chevy A 224.838 9.

Rick Mears Jupiter, Fla. Penske-Chevy 224.594 Row 4 10. Bobby Rahal Dublin, Ohio 12 Lola-Chevy A 224.158 11. Emerson Fittipaldi Brazil 5 Penske-Chevy 223.607 12. Al Unser Jr.

Albuquerque, N.M. 3 Galmer-Chevy A 222.989 Row 5 13. Stan Fox Janesville, Wis. 91 1991 Lola-Buick 222.867 14. John Andretti Indianapolis 8 Lola-Chevy A 222.644 15.

R-Eric Bachelart Belgium 19 1990 Lola-Buick 221.549 Row 6 16. R-Philippe Gache France 44 1991 Lola-Chevy A 221.496 17. Scott Pruett Dublin, Ohio 10 A 220.464 18. John Paul Jr. West Palm Beach, Fla.

93T 1990 Lola -Buick 220.244 Row 7 19. R- Paul Tracy Canada 7 91 Penske-Chevy A 219.751 20. Jeff Andretti Nazareth, Pa. 48 Lola-Chevy A 219.306 21. Scott Goodyear Canada 15T 1991 Lola A 219.054 Row 8 22.

Jim Crawford Scotland 26 Lola-Buick 228.859 23. Al Unser Albuquerque, N.M. 27T Lola-Buick 223.744 24. A.J. Foyt Houston, Texas 14 Lola-Chevy A 222.798 Row 25.

Buddy Lazier Vail, Colo. 21 1990 Lola-Buick 222.568 26. Raul Bossel Brazil Lola-Chevy 222.434 27. R-Jim Vasser Discovery Bay, Calif. 47 1991 Lola-Chevy A 218.268 Row 10 28.

Mike Groff Northridge, Calif. 15 Lola-Buick 221.801 29. R-Brian Bonner Boston 39 1990 Lola-Cosworth 220.845 30. R-Lyn St. James Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

90 1991 Lola-Chevy A 220.150 Field (Record for 33 cars, 218.590, 1991) start an attempt, St. James drove out of the pits to the welcoming roar of the crowd. Any doubt ended quickly as the 45-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, a longtime sports car and sedan racer but an Indy-car rookie, opened with a lap of 218.585, then climbed to 220.011, 220.902 and, finally, hit 221.119. "The car was absolutely perfect," St. James said.

"'We haven't had a lot of time in this car, but because of all the knowledge and experience this crew has, we were able to get (the car) in here. "When I think about being 17 Associated Press Happy qualifier: Lyn St. James receives congratulations after becoming just the second woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. She had a qualifying speed 1982 through 1984, but was unable to qualify for the race. Brian Bonner, 32, of Boston, qualified at 220.845 mph while St.

James was still celebrating on pit road. He became the sixth rookie in the tentative field. The track was then opened for practice and there were no more qualifying runs until the heat of the day finally began to dissipate in the last 60 minutes of the sevenhour session. Moments before the next qualifying attempt, Carter crashed in Turn 2 when his rear suspension apparently broke. He sustained a bruised right hip and was taken to Methodist Hospital for X-rays after complaining of pain in his right arm.

Dominic Dobson began an attempt at 5:06 p.m., but waved off after laps of 219.341 and 217.533. Allison captures Winston in sp spectacular finish Ed Cuneo covers auto racing for the Courier -Post. Marcelo died from head injury Associated Press By DON COBLE Gannett News Service CONCORD, N.C. The car racing's all-star race, started moon and finished under a and squealing sheet metal Davey Allison helped provide -spectacular finishes in steering past one accident and another to win $300,000 at Motor Speedway. There was enough drama in seconds to last a lifetime.

Allison the third turn on the last lap but slipped past Dale Earnhardt's car and narrowly beat Kyle ish line. But the thrills were just As Allison got to the checkered and Petty bumped, sending line Thunderbird into a spin grandstands. Sparks and flames his car as it skidded to a stop turn. Allison had to be cut from his in stable condition as he was to Carolina Medical Center The 31-year-old driver from was moving and talking, Robert Yates said. Victory Lane was missing driver and car.

"Dale and 1 I got into the third angle, and we started getting shape," Petty said after collecting for second. "When Dale lost it, up to see where he was going gave Davey a run at me. He coming, coming. It's my fault, Earnhardt limped into the place. "My car pushed just a bit," said.

"I tried to use up as much track as I could and Kyle tried was his. I don't blame him. He By TOM KUBAT Gannett News Service INDIANAPOLIS Rookie Indy. 1 years old out there in Turn 1 it was such a dream, such a fantasy at that point, and yet I pursued that," she continued, the emotion rising in her voice. "I wasn't that cocky to say that I'm going to be out there with those guys someday.

But I said it sort of inside as a dream. "I love cars. I love racing. It's an absolute honor to be in the field at the Indianapolis 500. This is absolutely the best day of my life." Guthrie raced at the speedway in 1977, 1978 and 1979, finishing 29, ninth and 34th.

Desire Wilson of South Africa tried to make it from Associated Press Winner crashes: Davey Allison hits the wall Saturday night after winning The Winston All-Star race. After taking the checkered flag, he was involved in a in Charlotte. crash with second place finisher Kyle Petty. Hueytown, car owner thing. It's The Winston.

We was racing for 30-lap segment, flip-flopping Allison and it." Elliott to the back of the pack and Geoff the winning The final half-mile may be remembered Bodine and Dave Mader to the front row. as one of the most-spectacular of all time. More than 133,500 fans at the Charlotte turn at a bad Allison may not remember a single moment Motor Speedway the largest crowd to see a little out of of it. a nighttime sporting event in United States $130,000 "We were beating on each other coming to history voted during the break to change I had to ease the line," Petty said. "It was back and the starting order for the second 30-lapper.

to spin. That forth." Neither Bodine nor Mader could hold was coming, Ken Schrader survived to finish third. He their spots. Petty, who was sixth on the secI guess." drove through both wrecks. Ricky was ond-segment restart, shot to the front and pits in 14th fourth, followed by Bill Elliott in fifth.

pulled away from Ernie Irvan and EarnThe Winston was staged in three seg- hardt. Earnhardt ments. Allison started on the pole for the Allison fought back to finish sixth, and of the race first 30-lapper and breezed to a 50-yard vic- Elliott got up to fifth. to take what tory over Elliott. The field wasn't inverted for the final 10- did the right The field then was inverted for a second lap shootout.

Car driver Jovy Marcelo, killed in a crash Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, died from a severe head injury. Dr. Henry Bock, Speedway medical director, revealed the cause of death Saturday. "According to information released by the Marion County Coroner's office Saturday morning, the cause of death for race driver Jovy Marcelo on the afternoon of Friday, May 15, 1992, was a blunt force head injury caused by the crash," Bock said. "There were no other injuries.

examining Marcelo's belmet and uniform, there are no marks or damage indicating Jovy was hit by a tire, suspension piece or any other member of his race car. Lot of speculation of 220.150 mph. Mike Groff, who didn't get his ride until Saturday, then drove onto the track but had to pull back in and refuel after track officials spotted debris on the circuit. By the time he got back out, there was only 20 minutes remaining. Last year's fastest rookie posted a solid 221.801 with the fastest lap of the day at 222.041 on his third trip around the oval.

The last 15 minutes were hectic but non-productive. Theys came back out with 15 minutes to go, but drove back into the pits without taking the green flag. Next out was 1983 winner Tom Sneva, another driver who didn't find a ride until earlier Saturday. He ran three laps averaging 217.860 before waving off the attempt. Petty again pulled away in the sprint, but a caution on the third lap bunched the field for yet another restart.

The accident along the frontstretch started when Alan Kulwicki bumped Elliott, and Elliott knocked Darrell Waltrip into the infield grass. Waltrip spun for nearly a quarter-mile before coming to rest without hitting anything at the end of pit road. On the restart, Earnhardt got the jump on Petty. The two pulled three car lengths ahead of Allison to set up the last-lap battle. As Earnhardt went down the backstretch, Petty tried to work toward the inside lane.

Earnhardt veered left and drove Petty into the infield grass. That move left both drivers in an awkward position to enter the third turn, and that played the most significant role in the fiery finish. The race was limited to race winners from last year and the first nine winners from the current season. Richard Petty and Terry Labonte were added as former Winston Cup Champions, and Michael Waltrip and Hut Stricklin made the field as the top-two finishers in a special 50-lap qualifying race preceding the all-star event. Much like all-star weekends for baseball, basketball and hockey, The Winston didn't count toward the season-long series standings.

The next regular season race is the Coca-Cola 600 May 24 at Charlotte. Driver dies from burns CHAPEL HILL, N.C. A NASCAR driver who had over 80 percent of his body burned in a crash in his first race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, died Saturday at UNC Hospitals, officials said. Gary Batson, 40, of Travelers Rest, S.C., was injured during qualifying Friday for the Winston Sportsman 150. He had thirddegree burns over 25 percent of his body.

He died at 12:34 p.m., said Joe Brugnolotti, director on call at UNC Hospitals. There had been speculation forlowing the crash at 5:07 p.m., that Marcelo had been struck by a flying tire, hit his head against outside retaining wall or had the car's suspension pierce his chest. "At the scene of the accident Friday afternoon, we found Jovy's seat belts functional and tight," said Mike Devlin, technical direc tor for the sanctioning United States Auto Club. "Followup examination revealed no pieces of the race car penetrated through the tub (driver compartment), "All suspension pieces are accounted for. The left sidepod is basically intact.

Damage to the car was largely confined to the left front wheel and suspension, and the left rear wheel and suspension." 1st fatality in 10 years Marcelo was pronounced dead at 5:35 p.m., becoming the first driver fatality at Indy in 10 years. Gordon Smiley was killed in a practice crash before qualifications began on May 15, 1982 10 years ago to the day. Winston, stock under a full shower of sparks Saturday night. one of the racing history, riding out the Charlotte the final 10 came into riding third, crashing Petty at the fin- starting. flag, he Allison's Havoalong the main shot from near the first car.

He was being airlifted Marcelo won the Toyota Atlah. tic Championship last year and made his IndyCar debut in March of this year, finishing 14th at Australia. In the other two IndyCar races sp far this season, Marcelo finished 19th at both Phoenix and Long Beach. "Jovy was a quiet, wonderful person, said car owner Antonio Ferrari of Euromotorsport Racing. "We worked hard together for four months to make his IndyCar career happen.

"Our team is devastated by his death, but we know he would want us to continue. We will try to do that." According to Edward Marcela Jovy's father, who was present at the track on Friday, funeral services will be held in Hillsborough, and burial will be in his native Philippines. "Jovy would want the public know that it was his dream to drive in the Indianapolis 500," his father said. "More than himself, he wanted to represent his home country and all the race drivers from the Philippines. "He expressed to me that he con sidered the IndyCar community ds one big family, a family he was very proud to be a part of.".