The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 32

Wednesday, May 22, 1991 tEfre jVnnxgton 'tar- Page 15B Allison hummin' along Johnson fights NASGAR ruling as favorite at Charlotte 1.1. I I il JJ 1 Mil. II.U.I.M I TIM AMOoKtad PrM By Tom Hlgglns Knlght-niddr Nwa Srvtc Flit Photo Junior Johnson staging of The WinstonWinston Open "exhibition" doubleheader. Allison, the 600 pole winner In 1988 and victor in the speedway's Mello Yello 500 last October, was relishing his role as the driver to outrun. "It was Robert (Yates) who put the 'hummer' nickname on engines he feels especially good about," said Allison, 30, Intent on taking the 600, a race hia famous father, Bobby, won three times.

"Robert sure was right about that one In the car for The Winston. "It makes me feel real good that same car and same motor are coming back for the 600." Whether the Charlotte-based Yates team will use that particular "hummer" in trials today and the 600 wasn't clear. A special qualifying engine might be substituted but only In the likelihood that dynamometers showed it could carry a fast tune, too. After Allison led all 70 laps In The Winston, finishing 2.87 seconds In front of runner-up Ken Schrader, some NASCAR teams fretted about an AlllsonYatea sweep of Charlotte's two big Winston Cup spring weekends. "Of course, that'd be nice," said Allison.

"Just what we need to turn the season around and get on toward our main goal the Winston Cup championship. So far this year we haven't won anything that counts toward that. "One of the reasons I wanted The Winston so bad Is the fact that every driver who has won it alto Is a Winston Cup champion. Not always In the same year, but at some point. I think that correlation means something." accident In assembly of the engine.

No one, Tim or the engine builder, is responsible." Johnson conceded that in the haste to prepare the car and engine for the all-star race, a crankshaft that shouldn't have been used was put In the engine. "The cranks -were marked. He just reached out and got the wrong one," Johnson said. Johnson also was fined $7,000 and Ellis $18,000, the amount he collected for his Mth-place finish in The Winston. The race was Ellis' first for Johnson as a substitute for Injured driver Geoff Bodlne.

The suspensions will not affect Johnson's other team, directed by Mike Beam for driver Sterling Marlln. But Johnson will not be allowed to go Into the pits or garage area of either team for 12 weeks. Johnson also said It would have been "stupid" to use an oversize engine because tear-down and Inspection Is mandatory for every entry In The Winston. In regular tour events only the engine used by the winner and selected other drivers are Inspected. RALEIGH, N.C.

NASCAR race team owner Junior Johnson says he will appeal his 12-week suspension from Winston Cup competition for having an oversize engine, A NASCAR Inspection after Sunday's The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway disclosed an oversize engine, and a follow-up Inspection Monday morning confirmed that the engine was too big. NASCAR rules allow a maximum displacement of 358 cubic inches. The measurement Sunday was 382 Inches and on Monday, after further engine cooling, the measurement was 361.856 cubic inches. Johnson, In a telephone interview from his team's Wilkes County headquarters, told The News and Observer of Raleigh that a mistake had been made while the engine was being prepared. Also suspended were crew chief Tim Brewer and driver Tommy Ellis.

"It was an infraction," Johnson said. "But what happened was an CHARLOTTE, N.C. Davey Allison's team built him a "hummer" engine for The Winston all-star action last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and his Ford proved so fleet that he dominated qualifying and the race. If the power plant team ownerengine builder Robert Yates and his associates have provided for Allison today In Coca-Cola 600 time trials maintains the same tune, or "hum," continued domination appears likely. The pole, worth $38,500 from a $54,000 purse, and positions 2-20 in Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Series classic are to be decided In two-lap runs on the 1.5-mlle Charlotte track.

Spicing Wednesday's activities Is an anticipated ruling on the appeal of team owner Junior Johnson, crew chief Tim Brewer and driver Tommy Ellis, who were fined and suspended Monday for 12 weeks for use of a slightly oversized engine In The Winston. Regardless of the verdict, Johnson's crew Is expected to field Ford with the team owner's wife, Flossie, listed as owner and someone subbing for Injured driver Geoff Bodlne. Allison clearly looms the favorite for the No. 1 starting spot in the 600, a $963,477 race that is the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' second richest, topped only by the Daytona 600. The 600 la the 10th of the 20 regular-season events and resumes competition for the circuit's championship after two weeks off for the "We knew they would tear It down," Johnson said.

"Why would we go to Charlotte with a motor like that? They even tear down the cars that wreck. "If they're going to cheat, you're going to do something that does some good." Johnson talked with NASCAR president William France on several occasions Monday, but would not discuss those conversations. And he would not predict his chances to win an appeal or the effect on the team If appeal Is not upheld. if ft A ay Indy rookies anxious track star was arrested by police officers who saw him run hia car Into a curb. Kenneth Alan Bounds, manager of the Avalon, said Lewis EMI MotMTh Annltton Star senior athletes at the school.

Meeting with Huyghue here is Annlston High football coach Berry Halladay. Huyghue meets Halladay Michael Huyghue, left, general manager of the WLAF's Birmingham Fire, was the featured speaker Tuesday night at the Annlston High School Boosters Club banquet, which honored Tide From Page 11B Tennis ATHENS, Ga. Top-seeded Southern California broke the Athens jinx and ended 15 years of frustration by winning the NCAA men's tennis championship with a 5-2 victory Tuesday over Georgia. USC won the title In the first doubles match when Byron Black and Brian MacPhlt defeated Al Parker and Patricio Arnold 6-2, 6-4. STRASBOURG, France -Mercedes Paz of Argentina, the defending champion, was ousted in the opening round Tuesday by Radka Zrubakova of Czechoslovakia 6-3, 6-2.

GENEVA Americans Shaun Stafford and Ginger Helgeson won their opening-round matches Tuesday in the European Open. Stafford defeated Sabrlne Glusto of Brazil 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 and HelgesOn beat Louise Field of Australia 6-3, 7-5. BOLOGNA, Italy Fourth-seeded Richard Fromberg and fifth-seeded Francisco Clavet were upset in straight sets Tuesday in the first round of the Bologna ATP tournament. South African Wayne Ferrelra also sprung a surprise, beating former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash of Australia 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. DUESSELDORF, Germany Goran Ivanisevic and Slobodan Zl vo Inovlc beat Jim Pugh and Rich Leach 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3) in doubles Tuesday to give Yugoslavia a victory over the United States at the World Team Cup.

Baseball BATON ROUGE, La. The start of the NCAA's South Regional baseball tournament was delayed by one day to Friday because of so much water on the Louisiana State campus after a month of rain. Tournament teams are LSU, Northwestern Louisiana, Southwestern Louisiana, South Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas ORLANDO, Fla The Orlando SunRays topped Birmingham's Barons 8-6 in 11 innings, clinching the Southern League game Tuesday night with a three-run homer in the bottom of the Uth. Track HOUSTON A nightclub manager testified that Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis appeared sober an hour before the arrived at the trendy nightclub shortly before midnight on Jan. 10.

Boxing LAS VEGAS -Nevada boxing officials plan to consider an appeal by promoter Murad Muhammad next week, possibly clearing the way after all for a heavyweight rematch here between Mike Tyson and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock The Nevada State Athletic Commission will meet either Tuesday or Wednesday next week to hear the appeal, commission executive director Chuck Mlnker said. Basketball BEA VERTON, Ore. Nike Inc. has appointed Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson to its board of directors. The appointment fulfills the company's pledge last August that it would name a minority to its board of directors within a year.

Thompson is black. Horse Racing INGLEWOOD, Calif. Ex-jockey Bill Shoemaker, paralyzed from the neck down in an auto accident last month, soon will be able to watch racing from Hollywood Park via satellite to his hospital room. Hollywood Park president and chief executive officer R.D. ubbard said Tuesday he is planning to install a satellite dish at the Englewood, hospital where Shoemaker is undergoing therapy.

While at Craig Hospital, the 59-year-old Shoemaker has improved, recently regaining the ability to speak. Hockey SAN JOSE, Calif The San Jose Sharks officially took the plunge into the NHL on Tuesday as the league granted the team final franchise status. Earlier in the day, the Sharks wired the NHL $31 million, the balance of the $50 million entry fee for expansion franchises, the team announced. Compiled from Btaff, wire reports Dennis Walsh (10-4), pitched his best game in weeks in Friday's loss to Florida. A senior, Walsh fanned nine and allowed only six hits in 4 innings despite taking the loss.

In the SEC Tournament, Alabama had 22 hits in its two games 15 against Mississippi State, seven against Florida and committed three errors. Two Tide hurlers, Joe Vitiello and Al Drumheller, allowed seven runs each against the Bulldogs. Florida International, located in Miami, will counter Thursday a pair of left-handers, junior Jason Abramavicius (10-4) or Kevin Lucero (9-4). The Golden Panthers' top reliever, senior right-hander Jerry Santos (4-1), is tied with Alabama reliever Ben Short for third place nationally with 13 saves. Short's 13 is a new school record.

The champions of the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament, the Golden Panthers feature a lineup of catcher William Scalzitti (.343, 39 RBI), first baseman Greg Mucerino outfielder Michael Warner (.341, 53 RBI) and outfielder Efrian Ventura (.278, 52 RBI). Florida International, a former Division II school, is making its first appearance in a Division I regional. "The kids have just really played well and made the outstanding plays when we needed them," said Panther coach Danny Price. "I'm just happy for everyone involved in our program. We're hungry." nation's toughest schedule in '84 and winning 41 games in '81.

The competition has proven extremely stout. Alabama is one of four SEC teams to qualify for the '91 NCAA regionals. Florida (45-19), the SEC Tournament champion, and Louisiana State both are ing regionals on the strength of their regular-season finish. Mississippi State, a College World Series participant a year ago, also received an at-large bid. Kentucky (41-20), Alabama's main competitor for the SEC's fourth bid, was left out despite having a better record than the Tide.

Georgia, the defending national champion, slumped in '91 and failed to make the cut. Four others join Alabama in the six-team Atlantic Regional: Top-seeded Florida State (53-12), the region host; No. 2 Georgia Tech (40-24); No. 5 St. John's (33-12-i) and No.

6 Coastal Carolina (36-27). But if the Tide plays as it did in the SEC Tournament, its stay in the NCAA could be short-lived. Alabama lost to Mississippi State 15-10 and to Florida 4-3, stranding the tying run at third in the final inning. The Tide, according to Shollenberger, played hard and aggressively, but not well enough to win either game. No Alabama player was named to the all-tournament team.

The Tide's probable starter Thursday, left-hander By Hank Lowenkron Th AstoolsMd Prat INDIANAPOLIS For Mike Groff, the $2,500 prize for being the fastest in the Indianapolis 500 was just a bonus. Just making the field was the real reward. "The big dream is to go racing at Indy, that's what most drivers shoot for," Groff said. "When you come here and spend an entire month, give every ounce of sweat and effort and don't make the race, I've never had a letdown like that. It was an empty feeling and one I don't ever want to experience again." The 29-year-old Groff, who set a rookie qualifying record of 219.015 mph, picked up his $2,500 Tuesday.

He stands to pick up a lot more after Sunday's race. The lowest payoff last year was $108,021 to last-place finisher Stan Fox; the highest was $1,090,940 for winner Arie Luyendyk. Groff is one of five rookies in the 75th Indy. and the others all have distinctions of their own. Willy T.

Ribbs is the first black to qualify, Hiro Matsushita is the first Japanese to make the field and Jeff Andretti and Buddy Lazier have family history as second-generation Indy drivers. "We're real happy with the way things have gone this month," said Groff, a three-time Grand National champion in quarter-midgets who, along With Andretti and Lazier, were bumped from last year's Indy field by quicker cars. "We had the car up to 215 right away and it was real comfortable. Ever since then, we've built our way up and haven't gone backwards once yet." The 35-year-old Ribbs made it into the race in the final hour of time trials having overcome a series of engine problems and a limited budget. "It was so close to not happening that I still find it hard to realize it's happened," Ribbs said.

"Indy is the big apple. There's no bigger sporting event in the universe, and when you come here, qualifying is a big challenge. I felt good about it because the car felt good. If the car is good, it's like going out there and driving to the grocery store." The 23-year-old Lazier is the youngest driver in the race, His father, Bob, finished 19th in his only Indy race in 1981. "It means a lot to me.

It's fantastic. Last year, I left qualifying and had a difficult summer trying to cope with it," said Lazier, who skipped graduation ceremonies at Curry College in Boston last year to drive at Indy. "Last year I was a student. This year I'm a race driver." Last year, the 30-year-old Matsushita was a race commen- tator for Japanese television. "I need seat time," he said.

"I guess I'll have about three hours of it Sunday. I like my seat for this year's race much better than last year." Seven other newcomers were eliminated for a variety of reasons lack of experience, crashes or just plain too slow. Says 27-year-old Jeff Andretti, one of four Andrettis in the field: "I know the place. I know the track and know the race car and I'm coming back with first-rate equipment. It's all up to date, a new engine.

It's a whole different ball game for me this year." Groff, who won the 1989 American Racing Series championship, also believes last year provided valuable experience. JSU From Page 11B Bulls From Page 11B for 17 for the tournament. While Bowden said he was frustrated at the plate, his teammates say he will come around for them in the Series. "We won this tournament and Merritt didn't even get a hit," Adams said. "Just imagine what we're going to do when he starts hitting in Montgomery." When the game was over the Gamecocks raced to meet VanEgmond with shouts of "We're going back to Montgomery," filling an otherwise silent Ferriss Field.

"Four times, baby," David Strain shouted. Strain will make his fourth straight trip to the Series along with Bowden and Craig Holman. "It's unbelievable," Adams said. "This is great. Now the young guys will get to experience it and Strain, Holman and Bowden will make their fourth trip." Adams will be making his second trip to Montgomery.

"My main man done done it again," Adams said, referring to VanEgmond. "Iggy is so hot right now. It's very hard to get beat with someone like him out there for you. We only gave him two runs, but he got us the win. This is beautiful." The players dedicated the regional win to Dr.

Harold J. McGee, JSU's president. They planned on giving him the game ball. Four Gamecocks made the all-tournament team along with VanEgmond shortstop Mabra, third baseman Rudolph, designated hitter Keith Wright and centerfielder Adams. Belyeu and Bowden made first team All-South Central Region, which is separate from the all-tourney team and qualifies them for All-America honors.

Holman and VanEgmond made the second team. "I was scared to death about that," he said. "You don't flip a coin to send somebody to Montgomery to compete in the Series. I wanted it decided on the field. If it wasn't, that's something that could haunt you for a longtime." As it turned out, all the worrying was for nothing.

"I knew if we got a shot at playing this game we would win," JSU coach Rudy Abbott, who now has 696 wins, said. If the Gamecocks repeat as national champs, they would also hand Abbott his 700th win, as it takes four wins to earn the title in the eight-team field. "Tim has the most guts of anybody I have ever met," Abbott said. "He absolutely has no fear of the batter." VanEgmond struck out five of the six batters he faced Monday before the rain delay. His rubber arm -didn't lose much Tuesday.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but we kept them off guard all day by changing up pitches," VanEgmond said. He walked two and gave up five hits, but never two in an inning. Delta stranded six base runners five at first base and one at third. The Statesmen never had more than one base runner an inning. When play resumed Tuesday, the Gamecocks were at bat with one out.

Burt Mabra doubled after Drake Ibsen grounded out to third. Mark Adams scored Mabra on a single to left field to make it 1-0 JSU. The Gamecocks scored again in the fourth on four hits. Paul Hawk and Randy Belyeu singled to lead off, but Merritt Bowden hit into a double play, leaving Hawk at third. Hawk scored on Greg Rudolph's single.

Third-ranked Delta State, which won the Gulf South Conference title, ended its season at 33-12. Bowden, who was an All-America last year, went 0 Jordan attempted only seven shots in the first half and finished with 10-for-20 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointerS in the third quarter. He was 13-for-14 from the free throw line. The Pistons haven't been able to get their offense in gear against the Bulls. "Our plan was to take the game to them," Jackson said.

"We have been very aggressive on the outside, keeping them from running their halfcourt offense. We are double-teaming aggressively, rotating effectively and forcing them to take tough shots." Daly, claiming the Bulls seem hungrier than the Pistons, said, "We have to get more people involved in the offense. We can't depend on two guys to carry the load." Mark Aguirre, who has had 41 points in the two losses, said, "They are clogging up the middle and taking away some of our offense." And Bill Laimbeer, held to a total of six points in the two games, said, "Because of their switching rotation, the perimeter has not been open for anyone, especially me. They're taking away the things we're used to. We need to adjust quickly." "We feel confident, we're playing our best basketball especially on defense," Jordan said.

"I think we played with a lot of confidence," Pippen added. "This was a big win and we can smell it. Our bench is doing a great job." i.