Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • 37

Minneapolis on 1D Thursday May 19 1977 General news Indy crash frustrates Ms. Guthrie Trucker challenges Ali to 15 rounds By John Gilbert Staff Writer The rhythmic chattering of the wrench ratchets, as parts on race cars were dismantled and remounted, was almost musical in the Gasoline Alley garage area at Indianapolis, but Janet Guthrie wasn't dancing. She sat back deep in the seclusion of her garage, casting glances of impatience and apprehension at her Bryant Heating and Cooling Special, wondering if it could be put back together and allow her to become the first woman to quality for the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. The true symphony of Indianapolis in May is the perfect harmony achieved by a car that is good enough and a driver who is quick enough, sure enough, to push it to its maximum speed. Ms.

Guthrie's frustration is that her harmony turned to discord against an unforgiving section of wall in a crash during the practice days. "This whole thing was incredibly beautiful for the first four days of practice," Ms. Guthrie said, "until I tagged the wall. I had it in mind to put it in the show Saturday (the first day of qualifying). But, since I was so clumsy as to lose it The second day of qualifying had just ended.

Ms. Guthrie had her No. 27 racer out for some late practice laps just before the track had closed on Sunday, but she was far from satisfied. An Indy racer is like a thousand-piece jigsaw puzz.le that requires time and work, then rework to get the pieces fated properly. Ms.

Guthrie continued on page 5D ft, 9 m' -v ysw a Staff Photos by John Gilbert Janet Guthrie waited in the garage area, left, then took a practice run in car 27 recently on the Indianapolis Speedway track. Moves mean 'wasted year' for pitcher May Associated Press Enid, Okla. Dick Abernethy iiked the movie "Rocky" but he didn't like Monday night's fight and now he's challenged Muhammad All to go 15 rounds. Abernethy, 24, said he became incensed watching AH dance around Alfredo Evangelista. The next day, he sent a $17 telegram challenging Ali.

"I think I'll get him in six," the 6-foot-2 truck driver predicted. "I'm ready to fight." Abernethy and his pals at King Transfer Storage, in Enid called New York City and Louisville on Tuesday, but they couldn't find Ali. They sent the wire to sports commentator Howard Cosell, asking him to contact the 35-year-old world heavyweight champion. "Please contact Muhammad All or Angelo Dundee to issue the following challenge: I challenge you to a 15-round nontitle fight in the location of your choice. Consider it a warm-up fight for your Norton or Young title bout," said the telegram.

"If you still have the ability or the pride which I doubt you will accept this challenge. 1 will beat you in six rounds and when I do you will have no other alternative but to retire from the ring and restore the now lost pride to the fight game," the telegram said. "Evidently he's hiding out," said Abernethy, a sturdy, blond 205-pounder. "I want him." Abernethy watched "Rocky" three times but says that wasn't what spurred him to challenge Ali. "The fight is what did it.

That got me burning mad," he said. The trucker charged that Ali does not defend his title often enough and complained the champ is bad for boxing. "He ought to be in a circus somewhere with the bearded lady. I think he's Just using his clown act to make up for the fighting ability he doesn't have any more. He ought to retire and go out to pasture with the rest of the old-timers.

"At one time, I'll admit, I thought he was the best there ever was. But now he's washed up," said Abernethy. Abernethy's fighting experience is limited to "not very many" street fights. urday night. The series will end Sunday with Geoff Zahn (6-1) fating Wayne Simpson (2-3) in a 3p.rn.ga.ne.

ever since spring training." Twins' notes: Dave Goltz (2-2) will pitch for the Twins against California's Nolan Ryan (5-4) in tonight's game (9:30 p.m.). Paul Thonnodsgard (2-1) will face the Angels' Frank Tanana (6-1) Friday night, and Pete Redfern (1-3) will pitch against Gary Ross (0-2) Sat "mostly a case of the other guys pitching so badly." But May didn't stay in Oalkand. The Twins found that they couldn't option Jim Hughes to fpJX'T ct i SsrvJti jm I MtMWX 7i By M. Howard Gelfand Staff Writer As the Twins were flying to California Wednesday night for the four-game series that begins tonight, Davis May was driving his new car to Tacoma. May had expected to be on the flight, but when the Twins reactivated Glenn Adams Monday, May was told he was going to the Twins' Tacoma farm club instead.

So while his teammates warmed up for their game Monday night, May sat in tha locker room, Ing his gear and fingering a week-old mustache. Asked about the growth, he forced a smile: "I had to do something while I was here." For Davis May, this year has been one long, strange trip "A wasted year," as even May's manager, Gene Mauch, admitted. May, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher, came into spring training highly touted by Twins' Coach Tony Oliva, for whom May had pitched winter ball in Mexico. But May was rarely seen in spring training. He appeared in only 6 innings in Florida, yet he went north with the Twins when the regular season began in Oakland.

"It was," as Mauch also admitted, 1. A f- A 'II Tacoma, so May was sent out instead. Then, three weeks ago, pitchers Don Carrithers and Mike Pazik were hurt in an auto accident. Back came May. But May never got into a ball game a remarkable enough fact.

What made things seem even more hopeless for May, though, was that he was never even asked to warm up in the billpen. "I guess they just never knew what to do with me," May said as he packed. "Sure I'm disappointed, but I never pitched, so I can't be happy, I can't be sad. I'm just nothing," he said in exasperation. Geoff Zahn stopped by to console May.

At 30, Zahn has experienced more than once what May was going through. "Well, I can't do anything about it, I guess," May said. "No," Zahn said, "except pitch the best you can and make them call you back up." Zahn walked away and May spoke of his uneasiness. "I never did feel comfortable here," he said. "I was just an odd man out.

I felt at home with the guys, but after a game everyone would be happy because just about everyone had contributed. I was happy, too, but I just didn't feel sincere because I didn't feel a part of it." May was asked if he would be a starter or a reliever in Tacoma. "I don't know," he said, "I don't know what they have planned for me. That's been the big question 1-S Kicks-Hawaii game not begun The Minnesota Kicks North American' Soccer League game with Team Hawaii in Honolulu Wednesday night had not started when this edition of the Minneapolis Tribune went to press. A complete report on the game will be carried in Friday's Tribune.

The Kicks entered last night's game leading the Western Division with a 4-2 record. Team Hawaii was last in the Southern Division with a 4-4 record. The Kicks defeated Team Hawaii 3-0 earlier at Metropolitan Stadium. Associated Press Relaxed now, but Maurice Lucas, left, and Bill Walton of the Portland Philadelphia 76ers Sunday in Philadelphia in the first Trail Blazers took a break during a workout in Port- game of the NBA championships, land Wednesday. The Trail Blazers will meet the WESTERN'S Vh CAR GARAGE 2 Improve The Appearance Of Your Yard with Attractive Chain Link 22x22 Fencing And SPRING SPECIAL $2950oo JlsUii Savo 50 On The Fabric When You Buy The Necessary Top Rails, Line Posts, Fittings and Gates At Regular Price.

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