THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603030267
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Ernie Irvan led the second round of qualifying for today's Pontiac 400 on Saturday at Richmond International Raceway, but he's still far from where he expected to be, even at this early stage of the season.
For one thing, he's not usually involved in second-round qualifying.
``Obviously, this hasn't been the best couple of days,'' said Irvan, who wrecked his primary car during practice Friday. ``And we kind of struggled at Rockingham and never really pinpointed anything.
``Everything just kind of multiplies. I guess that's what builds character.''
Irvan's speed of 121.940 mph in his Ford earned him the 26th starting spot. It would have been 24th-fastest on Friday.
``Well, I guess everybody's confidence level goes up and down,'' Irvan said. ``I think everybody fights the same thing. About the time you're not running good, you think, `Is it me doing something wrong?' `Am I not communicating good enough?'
``But then you've got to draw back on (the thought that) it wasn't that long ago that I ran good. As soon as we run good, nobody will be wondering why we aren't running good.''
Three drivers failed to make the race: Dick Trickle (subbing for the injured Loy Allen Jr.), Randy MacDonald and Robby Faggart. The provisional starting spots went to Lake Speed, Bobby Labonte, John Andretti and Bobby Hillin Jr.
RESCUE QUESTIONS: The more one hears about the rescue of Loy Allen Jr. last weekend at Rockingham, the worse it sounds.
Team member Jeff Baker said this weekend that not only did an ambulance fail to arrive on the scene for several minutes, but that rescuers pulled Allen from the car by grabbing and pulling the top of his uniform, even though he had a broken shoulder blade.
Allen also suffered a concussion and torn ligaments in his neck. He spent the week in a Charlotte hospital and was released Friday.
``They did not use a backboard,'' Baker said of the rescuers. ``They cut the roof off, and I thought they were going to slide a backboard in behind him, strap him to it and lift him out. But they didn't.
``And they didn't put a (cervical) collar on him. (Crew chief) Jeff Hammond had to put a collar on him. I was pretty hot about it.''
``We had a little bit of a communication problem with the (rescuer) who showed up early,'' said Mike Helton, NASCAR vice president/competition. ``And they probably didn't go as far as Jeff (Baker) and some of the team members thought they should have. But once (NASCAR official) Buster (Auton) got over there, things were OK.
``They've got some pretty well-trained fire and rescue people at the track. Chris Browning (track general manager) has gone a long way toward getting the right people.''
Rockingham, like most other tracks, uses local rescue squads. Unlike the IndyCar and NHRA, NASCAR does not have a dedicated rescue team for any of its series.
CRAVEN'S DELIGHT: Second-year driver Ricky Craven is fourth in the Winston Cup points standings, and surprised to be there.
``We're not a fourth-place team,'' he said Saturday. ``We're fourth in points, but we're not that good yet. If we keep doing it, I'm going to be proven wrong.
``I hope I'm proven wrong, but realistically, we know we've got a lot of work to do at the shop.''
Craven earned his place in the points by finishing 13th in the Daytona 500 and a career-best third at Rockingham. by CNB