The Kansas City Star from Kansas City, Missouri • 39

AUTO RACING COLLEGES Thursday July 31 1997 i The Kansas City Star '-XZx 1 AUTO RACING NOTEBOOK Defending champ speedy at Brickyard Brickyard 400 fn KYifv WHENWHERE: 12 15 Saturday at Speedway Ind live on ABC TRACK: Indianapolis Motor Speedway a 25 mile semibanked paved speedway RACE FACTS: 160 laps 400 miles a possible 43-car field PAST WINNERS: Dale Jarrett 1996 Dale Earnhardt 1995 Jeff Gordon SCHEDULE: Practice 9:30 am-noon qualifying (1-25) 1:30 practice 4-445 1994 pm Special to Tha Star The Taurus new racing entry made its debut in 1985 and has been the No 1 -selling car in America since 1992 Ford decides Thunderbird will be replaced by Taurus Continued from D-1 SHANNON ROSE Stan Writer INDIANAPOLIS Dale Jarrett and Ernie Irvan left Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday in the same position they did a year ago at the top of the field Jarrett the defending champion of the Brickyard 400 turned in the fastest speed during the first day of practice He ran a lap in 50285 seconds at 178980 mph Irvan teammate for Robert Yates Racing was second in 50578 seconds at 177943 mph He was the runner-up in the race last year Wednesday seven drivers broke the track speed record set by Jeff Gordon last year Gordon won the pole with a run of 176419 mph He even close to that Wednesday going 173728 mph That ranked him 33rd In fact the Rick Hendrick-owned cars of Gordon and Terry Labonte were far down on the list of speeds Labonte the defending series champion was 20th at 174914 mph feel sorry for them yet" Jarrett said Qualifying for positions 1-25 is today the rest of the qualifying is Friday Rookie Mike Skinner spun out during practice and clipped the rear of his car be in his backup car tor qualifying today i Bad timing Robert Vales Racing will be announcing its new driver Friday for the No 88 TexacoHavoline Ford next season to replace Ernie Irvan The timing of the announcement isn't good for Irvan who is coping with the recent hospitalization of his mother More Winston Cup Jeff Gordon officially topped the $2 million mark in earnings for the 1997 season with his $66745 payday from the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono the fastest any driver has ever reached that milestone Bill Elliott has it going in the right direction these days His 1 0th-place finish at Pocono marked his second straight in the top 10 Five of his seven top-10 outings have come in the last eight races Jimmy Spencer is moving on up He has gone from 36th to 17th in the point standings since the Texas race cm April 4 He has four top-15 finishes in the last five events Speaking of turnarounds Kyle Petty's eighth-place finish at Pocono marked his fifth in the top 15 in the last six events and second in the top 10 in the last three With five top-10 finishes this year Petty is just two shy of his total for 1995 and 1996 combined Jeremy Mayfield is another driver who is on a hot streak He jumped from 20th to ninth in the standings since the Texas race Mayfield completed 3399 of a possible 3405 laps during that stretch Only Mark Martin (3403) and Dale Earnhardt (3401) ran more laps Busy busy Indianapolis is the place to be this week The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will compete at Indianapolis Raceway Park in nearby Clermont tonight The NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division will follow up he trucks at IRP racing in the Kroger 200 at 8 Friday ESPN will carry the race The grand finale will be the Brickyard 400 at 12:15 pm Saturday Too hot in St Louis NASCAR's visit to the Heartland last weekend at Gateway International Raceway in St: Louis didn't prove to be a very positive experience for the Busch Series and Winston Cup drivers The 1 27-mile oval crumbled away lap after lap in the Gateway 300 Busch Grand National event making it tough to pass on a high groove And the boiling temperatures became nearly unbearable Three spectators died from heat-related ailments The Winston Cup regulars didn't come up with any impressive performances Check out these finishes: Jimmy Spencer 40th: Robert Pressley 37th Kyle Petty 35th Ricky Craven 32nd Joe Nemechek 29th Terry Labonte 26th Bobby Labonte 20th Area update Merriam driver Rick Beebe can't get a break After winning the pole for the ASA LaCrosse 300 last weekend in West Salem Wis Beebe held a four-second lead with 50 laps remaining in the event Lapped traffic slowed down Beebe's St Louis GearRoyal Machine Pontiac and allowed Mike Miller to close to within 12 seconds with 15 laps to go The two leaders came up on the lapped car of Junior Hanley and both had trouble getting around him Beebe finally got on the inside of Hanley with three laps left Unfortunately Hanley drifted low and made contact with Beebe And in one split second car went spinning down the front straightaway and came to a stop against the inside retaining wall On the restart Miller won the race by 5268 seconds over Scott Hansen Beebe limped to eighth "He wouldn't move out ol the line" Beebe said ol Hanley got under him clean coming off the fourth corner and he turned into me I think I could have held Mike oft at the end we were about equal I feel worse for my crew than I do for myse(f because they gave me a great Beebe is In fourth place in the ASA ACDelco Challenge Series point standings 46 points out of third and 349 back from leader Kevin Cywinski But Beebe the 1995 rookie ol the year is still looking for his first ASA victory John Brooks of Warrensburg Mo won his 10th street-stock feature in 12 starts at State Fair Motor Speedway in Sedalia Mo That makes 48 in his career With two point races remaining Brooks has a146-point lead in the track standings capture 20 of 31 events But the situation leveled off after Monte Carlo came out and held an obvious advantage in aerodynamics Ford had just eight wins in 1995 and 13 in 1996 Because of those falling results Ford began developing a new race tar for 1998 but reveal which model it would be Many of the teams were getting anxious worrying that they have enough time to test the car before the 1998 season began a lot of work to be done between now and next driver Dale Jarrett said people at Ford Motor Co know what they are doing going to be a challenge the challenges that bring out the best in Jarrett be completely charged up about the change His Ford Quality Care team has been doing just fine in the Thunderbird getting three victories this year and four in 1996 might just change the name on our car and not (really) changd the Jarrett joked needed a new driver Mark Martin said I know how this car is going to The Taurus made its debut in 1985 arid has been the No 1 -selling car in America since 1992 It was No 2 during 1987-91 But a surprising choice for the racing series because the Taurus street model is a four-door making it the first four-door car to run on a full-time basis Martin said Ford ask him for any input on the car Ford said Penske Racing South which races Rusty car and Rousch Racing which races three cars including were actively involved in the decision and building process really no Martin said not what lay awake and dream Martin like other Ford drivers is just concerned with being competitive and winning races Ford has 562 race victories in top division more than any other car manufacturer In 1994 eight wins helped Ford Missouri racetrack proposal called Very by company official tions for every dollar contributed The firm also would be eligible for a federal tax reduction that could increase the tax savings to 65 cents for every dollar Whatever the mix reaction oh Wednesday indicates that team Missouri refuses to stop battling for the track Driskill said not seen some of the things we've proposed until also come into play A firm used the act to issue bonds to build the Lake of the Oarks Community Bridge and is using tolls to retire the biinds Qthcr revenues such as special fees for parking or taxes also could pay lor the project And Platte County could create a sports authority that could issue bonds In addition the state can offer tax credits to companies to help raise money for public improvements Companies such as International Speedway would make contributions to the Missouri Development Finance Board for road improvements The company then would reccie 5() cents in state income-tax reduc EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AUTO TECHS 4 DAY WORK WEEK SALES MANAGEMENT Continued from D-1 those involved in the presentation Wednesday to speedway officials refused to reveal the amount of the gap the entire share or the way Missouri governments would help finance the project Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver left the meeting early to catch a flight to Washington Joe Driskill and Mark Bunnell director and president of state and city economic development agencies respectively said only that the discussions went well company is making progress in understanding our ability to offer Driskill said Whatever the amount of the gap International Speedway appeared pleased with the Missouri offer have made a very worthy said John Graham a vice president of International Speedway on the face of the proposal it fills the gap But we have to study the numbers backing Graham said the project would cost between SI 50 million and $200 million The amount of the up with the exploding popularity of the sport The company recently acquired tracks in Phoenix and Dade County Fla average motor-sports fan travels 300 miles to see a race and stays three said John Story a spokesman for the company is just the beginning of our The company sees the Kansas City area as a prime spot to tap into that fan loyalty and broaden its base One reason the company has selected the Kansas City area stems from the fact that 10000 residents from Kansas and Missouri trek to Daytona Beach every year to watch races International Speedway planners also stuck one end of a compass on the state line in the center of Kansas City put the pencil end 250 miles away and drew a circle There a major track inside the orbit However one other reason International Speedway considered the Kansas City area as desirable has failed to materialize One International Speedway executive said the company saw the commitment the Missouri General Assembly made to build the TWA Dome in St Louis 1 2 million a year for 30 years and thought the state would be receptive to help finartce a speedway in Kansas City It found otherwise A filibuster by one senator in the General Assembly killed an otherwise popular measure to attract International Speedway to Platte County The provision would have used $42 million in state sales taxes generated by the project to help pay for it The Missouri team offered International Speedway an incentive package it could go forward with now rather than rely on any inducements the General Assembly may create Driskill said Despite those factors the Missouri group could use several programs to help finance the track Officials making the presentation on Wednesday declined to discuss those programs but some have emerged in earlier discussions A tax-increment financing plan which uses taxes generated by a project to help pay for it could kick in up to $40 million The Missouri Transportation Corporation Act passed in 1990 to allow private non-profit companies to finance build and maintain transportation projects could publics share on each side of the state line is similar he said but the costs break down differently For example those familiar with the sites say Kansas would have to spend more to prepare the hilly and rocky terrain while Missouri would have to spend more on road construction and improvements Graham said the company hoped to make a decision before Labor Day this point wc have a very open -he said sites are very acceptable to International Speedway which is publicly traded owns seven tracks outright and three more with the Penske Motorsports Inc It reported profits of $196 million for fiscal 1996 which ended Aug 31 on revenues of $96 million Although the company has been involved in other new racetrack ventures it owns a stake in Penske Motorsports which just built a track in California the Kansas City area track would be the first one the company has built since it erected Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama in 1969 It sees the racetrack in the Kansas City area as part of an aggressive expansion effort to keep Top Pay tor Qualified Individuals Benefits Retirement 401K Complete Comp Training Programs PTPT Positions Available 1-800-411-5354 Mason has Gophers tuning up ground attack TOSHIBA Turbo to 32 copies per-minute speed Automatic document feeder Toner Save Mode 150 more yield Dual 500 sheet paper drawers Zoom 50 to 200 Rated to 30000month 1 800000 Copy Guarantee Continued from D-1 89 mo So much so that Mason planted callers to his weekly radio show and instructed them to ask tough questions Stir up some interest not the case at Minnesota With that comes a mandate to produce sooner than at Kansas where the first winning season came in fourth year "The support is in Mason said "Now up to me not the let the people down cause of subpar recruiting by predecessors Mason battled Big Eight opponents with a team that had about 50 scholarship players and 2 30-pound offensive guards Worse than the personnel was the atmosphere there problems I be Mason said walked into a much better situation here than at Kansas Apathy had set in Metro-Plex 894-9600 BIG BUSINESS BIG Opportunity of Ibt $150000 ANNUAL POTENTIAL NO COMPETITION PATE1NTEJ) PROCESS Full letup complete training equipment marirlin and client Required investment $15875 to S2VI7S Financing available Once in lifetime nppnrtumty Fix bmchure video call 1(800)589-8632 could have come here and said rebuilding but that have been fair to the players in the Mason said seniors and juniors here to be part of a rebuilding process" And Sauter believes not coming away entirely empty-handed in the process True he won't approach the 352 passing attempts of last season But a running game will make Minnesota less predictable all know we need to run more" Sauter said ball control will keep our defense off the field and be in more games because of it" Sauter insists former coach Jim Wacker was playing to his strengths by using a passing of- e-wheel-ipular players but ineffective against opponents Mason brings a different philosophy and demeanor Sauter said not going to lie to you and not shy or embarrassed to left you when made a mistake a winning It is when winning But last season Mason connect with players or some coaches Having accepted and then-rejecting the (Georgia job for family considerations within a week in 1995 prompted many in the program to question desire to be in Lawrence By the end of last season the was thrown for loss in his program? after I went through that somebody told me 1 had committed professional suicide" Mason said was the farthest thing that happened because my phone rang off the hook after last To pursuers such as Minnesota Purdue among others also called the Jay 10-2 record and No 9 final ranking in 1995 was proof Mason could build a gram The Gophers haven't i to a bowl game in 1 1 years Mason took the Jayhawks twice in four seasons "They looked at the job I did at Kansas and Kent State before that and decided the guy can Mason said like a recruit that commits to Notre Dame then changes his mind Do other schools then say they want him? not a flake I had reasons for changing my mind about Georgia And to the credit of the Minnesota people that never came up once in the talks They never asked if there was a chance change my He not even with his wife Kate and the children two from Mason's first marriage and three from the second continuing to live in Lawrence Pat Mason will be a sophomore at Kansas daughter Chris a senior at Lawrence High The family will remain in Lawrence until Kate settles a legal dispute involving a former dental practice task at Minnesota is daunting but he finds the program in much better shape than hei found Kansas in 1988 Then be ALL NEW 1997 FORD THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON Auto Racing At Tbs Missouri Stats Pair AUGUST 16 SATURDAY THRO NAtONAl BANK MODIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP Gats 9:00 AM Hot Lap 10 30 AM Racing 1100 AM All Seats $1 200 Advance Purchase Includes Free Admission to the Fair SUNDAY DOUBLE HEflDfcS See The Two Pastes! Classes of Cars On Dirt The Same Day! AUGUST 17 v- SUNDAY MLRA LATE MODELS Gata 11 00 AM Hot Laps 1 2 30 Racing 1 00 PM All Seats $15 00 WINGED SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP Gata Hot Lap 6 30 PM Racing 7:00 PM All Seats $15 00 Buy Tickets To Both Sunday Bacas In Advance For $27 00 AMO Pet Ft re 4i JiMssim to the Fn AUGUST 23 SATURDAY MISSOURI STREET STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP GMaa 1:00 AM Hot Lap 9:30 AM Racing 10:00 AM All SmTs 1 200 to die Fad Pit PBSSBS For All RBCes 2500 CM 1 816 530-5607 For For Information Coll 1800-499-RACE JtCi UV vODCJCUC aircondSoner Add automatic transmission tor 15995 Ana HairdNoller a FORD ptisfi to remove Mason seemed greater than the pull by others to hint him take a chance on a coach who pulled a reverse then ROME OF TIE lOBSi TtASO.