The Modesto Bee from Modesto, California • 9

Hard feelings linger after controversial NASCAR finish track (Sears Point) makes it easy to park people Ricky Rudd found out (Sunday) what you can and get away Michael Waltrip version: not sure Ricky hit me on purpose but I think the contact could have been avoided Does winning this way detract from the victory? Does my smile look any Said Dave Marcis: and Davey went down in the comer Davey went in awful hard and lost his car He was sideways starting to spin and Ricky touched him I was right there and watched it from 5 feet away I went on the outside of Davey and when we got to the flagstand Ricky got the white flag There was no black flag waving How is Ricky supposed to know he got a black flag? He was up in Turn 2 or 3 by But Michael Waltrip said track makes it easy to park people Rudd found out today what you can and get away Rival crew chiefs said Rudd should have been put at the tail end of the lead lap The controversy overshadows splendid work by the Robert Yates Racing team led by crew chief Larry McReynolds which provided Allison a car capable of staying in contention for his first road course victory Motor Speedway in 1987 Several days passed before that controversy was resolved Despite the protests of Rudd Wilson and Hendrick the ruling stood and will stand decision is NASCAR spokesman Chip Williams said A representative of Procter and Gamble which sponsors the Hendrick team and also that of Martin who was spun two laps earlier by Tommy Kendall while leading said the company will review its NASCAR involvement because of the incidents The representative Carolyn Rudd Wax Ricky sister said Procter and investment in the sport is $7 Ricky Rudd had this view: got into the comer too hot There was no intentional mb to take anybody out My car was stronger going up the hill I have chosen Turn 11 to make my move This is a real letdown because it was a racing accident (Allison) is not much of a man to accept a win like that but I have no problem with him This will definitely make me look different at my By TOM HIGGINS Knight-Ridder Newspapers SONOMA be some time before the hard feelings and disagreement subside over controversial Banquet Foods 300 at Sears Point International Raceway And not just for driver Ricky Rudd and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates led by Waddell Wilson who saw a seeming Winston Cup Series victory disallowed by NASCAR officials in an unprecedented decision While Rudd and Wilson fumed and fretted during NASCAR deliberations that led to Davey Allison emerging the winner tempers flared across the garage area There were at least three confrontations among members of other teams The hottest involved drivers Chad Little and Emie Irvan and their crews during which there were some fisticuffs The Mark Martin and Irvan team also had words as did those of Alan Kulwicki and Sterling Marlin The fussing resulted from contact among the cars on the 252-mile 11 -turn road course during the 300-kilometer event trying to determine what went on and who started Les Richter vice president for competition said Monday we can talk to all these people and more of our officials we say whether there will be any disciplinary action or not of us were pretty busy had our hands full at the a likely linger for NASCAR as far as Rudd Wilson team owner Rick Hendrick and possibly even the sponsor Procter and Gamble are concerned Here for background is why: As the 73rd of 74 laps ended Ford led with Rudd right behind in a Chevrolet Coming out of the Turn 1 1 hairpin toward the startfinish line front bumper hit rear spinning the Ford around Rudd took the white flag signifying the last lap As Rudd sped on around NASCAR radioed Wilson that his car was being or black-flagged for an avoidable Officials ordered Rudd to pit for a stop-and-go penalty However Rudd remained on the track and rather than the checkered flag got the black The checkered flag was waved for Allison who went to Victory Lane Never in history of more than four decades has such a last-lap call been made After more than three hours of closed-door talks NASCAR assessed Rudd a five-second penalty and listed him as the runner-up essentially gave Allison back what was taken explained Richter who traced exacting such a penalty to incidents involving Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine at Charlotte Jordan Magic top All-Stars Jordan senses dream is about to come true umwi SPECIAL MOTOROLA I NBA Notes Slimline cellular phone The Associated Press NEW YORK Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers currently dueling in the NBA Finals head the league All-Star team announced Monday Jordan the Most Valuable Player who led the NBA in scoring for the fifth consecutive season and Johnson who became the all-time leader in assists were joined on the team by forwards Karl Malone of Utah and Charles Barkley of Philadelphia and center David Robinson of San Antonio Each of those five players were named on all 96 ballots from a nationwide media panel who chose first second and third teams Chosen for the second team were forwards Chris Mullin of Golden State and Dominique Wilkins of Atlanta guards Kevin Johnson of Phoenix and Clyde Drezxler of Portland and center Patrick Ewing of New York The third team consisted of guards John Stockton of Utah and Joe Dumars of Detroit center Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston and forwards James Worthy of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bernard King of Washington And for limited time it's available for the low price of only ($349 wopt battery) You can use the MC300 with your car's cigarette lighter as your power source As an option you can add a battery and take it with you anywhere Or if you like installation is available in your car Quantities limited No dealers please The Associated Press Byron Scott has done little to slow Michael Jordan From Bee news services INGLEWOOD Michael Jordan woke up at 4 Monday morning Is it time? Is it over? Had the day he dreamed about for seven years finally arrived? Not yet But coming Jordan and the Chicago Bulls take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Lakers into Game 5 and considering the way the Bulls have dominated thus far and noting key injuries to Lakers starters James Worthy and Byron Scott most of the drama has been sucked out what figured to be a classic battle Most of the suspense but for Jordan none of the satisfaction His first NBA title is there for the taking and he wait But he can too waited seven years for this Two more days Jordan told reporters at interview session at Inglewood High School Jordan stressed he taking the title for granted that he hopes all this about a title affect the ability to stay focused and continue to play the way been playing But on his mind Constantly And he seem to mind talking about it about to accomplish is something that very few people get the opportunity to do and that a lot of people said I get the chance to Jordan said can taste it I can smell The idea of Jordan needing a championship to validate his place in NBA history is absurd a five-time scoring champ a perennial all-defensive team member and considered by some as the best ever to play the game Some critics point out that no team with the scoring champ has won an NBA crown since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks won in 1971 In a similar vein there are those who say that with him around his teammates could never mature and reach their full potential That greatness comes at the expense of his teammates a driving force for me To prove to critics not always Jordan said my scoring is not the only thing I do Even though I may lead the league in scoring I feel I do other things for this team and an all-around player To win a world championship certainly is going to show that is total satisfaction I always felt I played the style of basketball to win A lot of people said I A lot of people felt I shot too much I had too much offense But all those people who were saying that never played the game of INJURY REPORT Injured Lakers forward James Worthy (ankle) and shooting guard Byron Scott (shoulder) were listed as questionable for Game 5 Of the two Worthy seemed less likely to play a badly sprained ankle you generally need three weeks to a month to get back but only got a few days between said Worthy who first injured his left ankle in Game 5 against the Portland Trail Blaz miCRTIONS Authoriied dealer for Cellular One1 529-9967 5TH AND ST MODESTO ers in the Western Conference finals He has been hobbling noticeably and his inability to soar to the hoop for stuff shots and finger rolls has put a crimp in the already limited offense In Game 4 Sunday he scored 12 points but left the court for good with 2 minutes 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter Even before Scott jammed his right shoulder in a collision with Bulls center Bill Cartwright in the fourth quarter Sunday he was having difficulty scoring In four games Scott considered the prime outside threat has made five field goals He ended an 0-for-10 slump by hitting his last two shots in Game 4 know if I can play or he said Monday got to get some treatment and then check with our medical NOTES Lakers Coach Mike Dunleavy has been reluctant to turn to his bench and for good reason Aside from forward AC Green who has averaged 63 points and 52 rebounds the reserves have been meager contributors Terry Teagle Larry Drew Elden Campbell and Mychal Thompson have shot a combined 7-for-28 from the field The ballyhooed showdown between Jordan and Magic Johnson is becoming one-sided Jordan has more points rebounds blocked shots and even more assists than Johnson recognized as the premier playmaker BANKRUPT MERCHANDISE LijiJuifrfuiV NEW SOFAS LOVESEATS SECTIONALS 16 SELECTION! COFFEE TABLES CORNER TABLES AND HUNDREDS OF LAMPS BRASS BEDS many stuesi BED MATTRESSES kincqueen and twin sizes OUTDOOR PLANTS one gallon sizes and upi PAINT SPRAY PAINT LAOUERS ETC SPRINKLERS AND PLUMBING STOCK EXTENSION CORDS AND ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES BYCYCLES PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE! ALL MERCHANDISE IS MARKED AT SUPER DISCOUNT PRICES SHOP AT LIQUIDATORS AND SAVE At Venice Beach they know over for the Lakers Comment HOURS: iam-ipm LIQUIDATORS UNLIMITED EVERY DAY 301 MITCHELL RD MODESTO 175-5600 the ball and always forcing the kid to go to his right The kid cannot go to his right Frustrated he rolls his fingers into a fist would be a serious says Lindsey in a tone that suggests it would be ambulance-serious The kid backs down Wisely legend is safe Later Lindsey sits in the stands accepts the offer of a soda from a stranger motions for the boom boxes to quiet and explains why it is exactly that the Bulls are about to vapori the Lakers no help and all kinds of he says And so it is On the sidewalk a man bent who seems to be carrying his entire life in two backpacks pauses before Kitty the relaxation therapist and shoulder-kneader he asks politely do you do spinal Kitty shakes her head The man walks away In a low voice Kitty says warily: specialists have to worry about litigation you know And those kooks sue you soon as look at you" PS: Kitty says the only hope is to visit her could straighten out" she promises Too late Even for Venice Beach i But just down from Muscle Beach just across from the frozen yogurt and serape stands there is a burning interest in roundball Here are the basketball courts of Venice Beach home turf for playground legends asphalt testing grounds for newcomers where young guns come to prove themselves and where the might-have-beens can escape for a sweet hour or two the bleakness of their deadend lives The reigning monarch is sleek acrobatic and hungry like a wolf He is able to outrun his competition because the game is full-court and most of the players have too little wind or too much belly The monarch is known as Lindsey and Lindsey has a true home-court advantage he seems to sense when the next puff will come from the Pacific and blow a shot awry and he can adjust his stroke accordingly calibrating windage while suspended in midjump On this day he wears a scarlet T-shirt stained dark with sweat Across the front is this challenge: Can Talk The You Play The There is a rookie a kid wearing a Loyola Marymount sweatshirt with the sleeves pulled off He is taller than the rest and left-handed besides But Lindsey is feasting on fresh meat He puts some serious abuse on the kid denting him By BILL LYON Knight-Ridder Newspapers VENICE BEACH Madame Ruth psychic and tarot card reader and onetime manicurist from Hoboken NJ confirms it She fans her cards across a folding table that has legs older and creakier than Magic and she frowns she proclaims cooked Five dollars Next door to Madame Ruth Ralph diviner of auras plays for a bit on his silver flute and stares into the sun without blinking and then decides: Lakers are swimming in On the sidewalk Strolling Jesus who carries a regulation-size wooden cross on wheels with black saddlebags dispenses business cards In very small type are listed 23 steps to salvation Twenty-three? Why that is Michael number Strolling Jesus accepts a donation and nods his head in profundity he says and strolls on The wheels on his cross squeak This is the farthest edge of the Left Coast On this spit of sand famous for iron pumpers narcissists palmists scammers and the just plain uh eccentric the heat waves shimmer and the Pacific suns itself in torpid splendor It makes a man want to lie down and let go The Forum the NBA Finals the impending ascension of the Chicago Bulls to the throne are just a couple of freeway exits away But in Venice Beach reality seems light-years away In the space of a dozen blocks it is possible to sit cross-legged on a mat woven from palm leaves and have beads braided into your hair to sign a petition favoring the legalization of marijuana to rent a bike or skates or both from any number of Spokes Blades bazaars to receive a relaxation massage to have your portrait sketched your fingers interpreted your aura analyzed and your future foretold It is possible to witness the human form swollen to grotesque dimensions by chemicals hoisting chunks of iron heavier than some cars And by the way a cursory survey of the grunters and preeners revealed that most thought the Forum was something to be bench-pressed and that NBA had something to do with Nautilus or possibly pecs right man? The volleyballers the sail boaters the paddle bailers they are sweatily absorbed in their passions They have no interest in the NBA Finals FIRST 6 HRS DUAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION 2 HRS GROUND TRAINING ST Complete flight training: private thru ATP including CFI multi-engine Both Piper Cessna aircraft Instrument private ground school Pilot gifts supplies videos FUG HT CENTER 700 TIOGA DR MODESTO (209) 578-3513 Instruction Rental Charter -t 1.