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Show B12 y,May 23, 1999 Retiring Luyendyk Iceman Labonte Says Winston Win Is ‘Cool’ THEASSOCIATED PRESS eetees (Pole) Position ‘To Exit With Roar Terry Labonte, whose laid-back demeanor on and off the track earned him his nickname, wasin a celebratory mood after his team’s late-race pit gamble helped him win The Winston. “I never figured on this. We thought we were awful this afternoon in thelast practice,” said a stunned Labonte, who took on four tires during a pit stop with 10 laps left while the rest of the leaders changed just two. After overpowering the field in the closing laps, BY MIKE HARRIS = THE ASSOCIATED PRESS INDIANAPOLIS — Arie Luyendyk looked nothing like an old-timer The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner,retiring af- Labonte drove his Chevrolet Monte Carlo into Vic- ter the May 30 race, won the third pole of his Indy career Saturday with a four-lap, 10-mile run at 225.179 my tory Lane at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte and broke into what for him amounted to a raucous The Flying Dutchman, overcoming unfavorable celebration. He hoppedoutofthe car, jumped on the roof, raised his fists in triumph and jumped up and track conditions, was barely quick enough to beat pre-qualifying favorite Greg Ray. downseveraltimes. But Luyendyk kept his emotions in check even after his performance was applaudedenthusiastical- “This is just a great win. What a surprise. We never expectedit,” said Labonte, whosevictory was ly by the crowdscattered through the vast speedway grandstands and the team, Toad. worth $207,500 from the purse of more than $1.3 million. “This is cool. I’m really excited.” It was Labonte's second career victory in The Win: and officials along pit I didn’t wake up this morning thinking this was going to be mylast qualifying day,’ Luyendyk, 45 said. “WhenI completedthe run, I was really moved ‘by the enthusiastic crowd all around the track. And cominginto thepits all the crews were waving and clapping. That could only be topped by coming in when Michael Conroy/The Associated P Former champion Arie Luyendyk gets a kiss from his wife, Mieke, after winning the pole position Saturdayfor the Indianapolis 500. Luyendyk’s Indy wins came in 1990 and 1997 the 2'4-mileIndianapolis Motor Speedway oval dra- matically and had most of the teams scrambling fol- lowing the morningpractice. But Luyendyk’s Treadway Racing team found the cols Molar Speedway track ser rnb fal guia 1 wn Layee No.5 tight combination that made his G Force-Aurora considerably faster thananyofthe other early qualifiers, Ray, who hadled the speed chartall but oneday sincepractice openedlast Saturday, plannedto qual. ify his fastest car. But the Dallara-Aurora failed to pass inspection because a sidepod was too low Ray movedtohis slightly slower backup car — closebehindin the qualifying line — and still chal- onder, No. 96, Foren Rows Buddy Laer, No. 91, Dallara Aurora, Moreno, No 6 Furve- Aurora, st. No 22, Dallara Aurora Rows bert (ierrero, No $0, (Fortin wx (alums No. 12. Dalla Aurora No 5 , DallaAurora, 30, G Fore Aurora, 5.073 Team owner John Menard had the option of withdrawing the qualified car and letting Ray try to win Thepoleposition at the Indianapolis 500 is a very sweet thing,” Ray said. “But it’s a hell of a roll of the dice. , somebody told me that earlier, and I fig- ee that might be pretty good,” hesaid. “But then I started 13th, so I didn’t know what to make of that.”” Labonteled 24 of the 70 laps onthe 1.5-mile, highbanked layout. Hewas up front for the finalfive laps — ahead of rookie Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt and Jeremy Mayfield rounded out the top five on a night when early wrecks eliminated some lenged Luyendyk’s speed, coming upjust short at the polein a thirdentrylater Saturday. Instead, he put Robby Gordonin that seat and settled for the middleof the front row with Ray. ston. 7rhe first cameexactly 11 years earlier — on may? 1988 and wound up1.229 seconds — about 15 car-lengths everybody's cheering me into Victory Lane. while his previous poles wereir 1993 and 1 Overnight rain and cooling temperature: THE WINSTON CONCORD, N.C. — An unexpected victory in stock car racing's all-star event prompted The Iceman to step out of character Saturday night “14 Jeff Ward. No 21, Dallara-Aarora 18, Tyve Carkam, No 20. Dalla nis Row 6 tlie Cheever ‘No i Dalara lft m3 fr Ops Can psi aot gc 6, Say att 20. Latte 31-49, Gurdon50 60,Toy Stevat 6 (8, T Labonte 66.70, Winston Open CONCORD, NC — Results of Stud Winston Open NASCAR Winsto CARCraftsman Truck Series victory of the 1999 top contenders. season. Two crashesin thefirst 12 laps eliminated seven of the 21 cars, including those of Dale Jarrett and Jeff couldn't shake his pursuer. The seventhand final Burton, the toptwodriversin the 1999 points standings, as well as three past winners of The Winston o CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS ODESSA, Mo. — Jack Sprague, beaten on the final lap a week ago, held off Dennis Setzer to win the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 race and claimhis first NAS- Sprague passed Setzer on the 132nd lap, but caution produced a two-lap shootout in which Spragueprevailed by0.165 second Sprague, who averaged 70.208 mph for the 204lap distance, won $38,350 for his first victory since the final race of the 1998 season at Las Vegas. S| gue is the sixth different winner in the tour's first eight races. Recess The car that can make driving feel like playing.In the Saab 9-3 Convertible, the openroad is your playground, The 185horsepower turbocharged engine whisks you away. And the refined front suspension holds any curves you may encounter.Test-drive one today and remember whatfunfeels like. Billy Boat, who drives for four-time Indy winner ondin that event Stewart got his wish Friday night when Larry Cur with an average of 223.469 despite crashingearlier ry. co-ownerof his team, drew No. 2 in the qual in the day on a warmup lap It was his third crash since practice opened last order. But it didn't turn into the break they had hoped for. Saturday. With no chance to come back andtryagain later Tony Stewart prayedfor anearly qualifying position so he could put his car in the lineup before Saturday, Stewartsettled for a disappointing aver. having to fly to Concord, N.C., to participate in Sat- ageof 220.653. a speed that wound up 24th among urdaynight’s NASCAR all-star race. He finished sec- the33 first-day qualifiers A.J. Foyt, wound up on the outside of the front row Stewart Stays on Track for a Two-Race Weekend THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Heplans todrivein the May 30 race here, then INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Stewart pulled off the track and kept going As soon as the former Indy Racing League cham- pion qualifiedfor the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, hedeparted with a policeescort to the airport for a 600-mileflight to Concord. N.C. ‘Twohours and four minuteslater, Stewart was on the track at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. practicing for Saturday night’s NASCARWinston Open I've got alot of goodpeoplehelping me, taking care of things.” Stewart said on the way to theair rt from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he qualified at anaverage 220.653 mph. “If you want to know, this is a lot more relaxing than my four-lap qualifyingrunjust was Stewart startedfrom the pole as arookie in 1996 He started fifthandfinished secondin ‘97 and start ed fourth last year, whenhe wasthefirst out because of engine failure. Heleft Team Menardthis season to drive full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NAS. £AR Winston Cup series but formedhis ownteamin order tostill race at Indianapolis take anotherquick flight to Concord for the Coca G Ken Garff Saab Cola 600 that night MAKE MY DAY Thursday will be Arie Luyendyk Day” in India napolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmithwill visit the track that day, the final two hoursof practicebefore the race 543 South State - 292-7474 www saabusa.com 1.800 SAAB USA and will present Luyendyk with a proclamation and thekey to the city DRIVERS OUT John Paul Jr. who led 39 laps in his seventh Indy start last year, and rookie Dave Steele were scratched fromqualifications becauseof injuries in practice. Paul, who injuredhis back in a crash on Friday was released from Methodist Hospital on Saturday Car owner Jonathan Byrd replaced Paul with Andy Michner, who was eighthas a rookie last year Steele, who suffereda mildconcussion andaback sprain in a h on Wednesday, returned to the track on Friday but was unable to drive NowPlaying on 20 of These... The Playofts at Greenstreet Social Club in Trolley Square SEB (ela) & GOLF SHOE SALE - GOLF SANDAL bis Waterproof Leather, Toe guard for smooth follow through, Better support for better traction, Great comfort and looks. *64” ist 80 Ashworth Ashworth® TRADITIONALSERIES Leather Upper. Comfort & Traction Removable Contoured Footbed Design 1 Yr Waterproof Guarantee Breathable Tricot Comfort Lining $64” List 65 $49” TRAC CST FOGEY Full Groin Leather Upper, Dri-Lex Lining a Cushioned Footbed, Molded Sole Traction & Leather Upper, Removable Contoured Footbed. Waterproof DUB Guarantee Technology. 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