
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990                   TAG: 9007090089
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FIRE IN PITS MARS VICTORY BY SULLIVAN

A scary pit fire spoiled a strong showing by Al Unser Jr. on Sunday, allowing Danny Sullivan to race off to his first victory of the season and the third of his career in the CART Cleveland Grand Prix.

Unser led all but six of the first 62 laps on the temporary course at Burke Lakefront Airport. He appeared to be a good bet to win for the third time this season before he made what was supposed to be a routine stop.

As Unser's crew serviced the Chevrolet-powered Lola, it appeared the nozzle on the fuel hose missed its receptacle on the side of the car. Methanol from the hose splashed onto the car and momentarily burst into flame.

Unser, who had his helmet visor up as he took a drink during the stop on the hot afternoon, was sprayed with fuel, irritating his eyes. Several crewman were burned before other members of the crew and safety officials could splash everyone with buckets of water.

Unser suffered singed eyebrows. He was flown by helicopter to University Hospital for a chest X-ray and observation but was expected to be released.

Paul "Ziggy" Harcus of New Zealand, the left-front tire changer, and Mike Arnold of Albuquerque, N.M., the fueler, were flown by helicopter to Cleveland Metro General Hospital. Officials said both had first- and third-degree burns to the face and groin. They, too, were expected to be released after treatment.

Gary Armentrout of Fresno, Calif., the vent man, and Brian Barnhart of Indianapolis, the left-rear tire changer, were taken to the track medical facility, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

Sullivan, who had been running a little more than a second behind Unser under the green flag, inherited the lead. He managed to get into the pits on the next lap and returned to the track with the lead during the caution period.

Sullivan led the rest of the 85-lap, 201.4-mile race in his Penske 90 Chevrolet. He beat Bobby Rahal, Unser's teammate, to the finish line by 5.02 seconds. It was Rahal's fourth second-place finish in seven races this season.

It was the 14th career victory for Sullivan, the fifth driver to win in seven CART-PPG events this season.

Sullivan, who won in Cleveland in 1984 and 1986, averaged 112.67 mph in a race slowed by two caution periods.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB