THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608030544
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: NASCAR NOTES
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SPEEDWAY, IND. LENGTH: 77 lines
Second-round qualifying for today's Brickyard 400 was a far cry from the wild session that preceded the inaugural race two years ago, but for one driver it was an unforgettable experience.
Gary Bradberry recorded the fastest lap of the session Friday at Indianapolis Motror Speedway and took the 26th starting spot with a speed of 174.584 mph in his Ford Thunderbird, beating several veteran drivers in the process.
``Really, in a way, it's a shock,'' Bradberry said. ``We've been having so many problems that to come around quickest today is really great.
``I have never seen a place like this where you make a slight change or you get a slight push and you lose seven-tenths (of a second) and you can hardly feel it as a driver.''
Ward Burton was the next-fastest second-round qualifier, reaching 173.274 mph in his Pontiac Grand Prix to take the 32nd starting spot. The final four regular starting spots - positions 35 through 38 - were taken by Ricky Rudd, Derrike Cope, Bobby Hamilton and Morgan Shepherd.
This is Bradberry's fourth Winston Cup race this year. Naturally, he's been seeking out help from other drivers.
``I talked to (Ricky Rudd) yesterday and he said I was talking to the wrong guy because I was faster than him,'' Bradberry said.
Said Rudd: ``It's been a struggle since we've been here. We keep missing it on qualifying setup.''
Bradberry's accomplishment will give him his biggest payday as a race-car driver, no matter where he finishes. Last year's lowest-paying position here was worth $47,625.
Only two provisional starting spots were used Friday because only two drivers who failed to qualify were eligible for them: Ricky Craven, who was 39th-fastest, and Dave Marcis, who was 46th.
A.J. Foyt was 47th-fastest of 48 drivers and failed for the second year in a row to make the race. He was one of the few drivers who slowed down from Thursday to Friday.
``It was terrible. Absolutely terrible,'' Foyt said. ``We'd run fast this morning, but it seems that every time the temperature would go up, we'd die out there.''
The others who failed to make the race were Ron Barfield, Jason Keller, Randy MacDonald, Jeff Purvis, Stacy Compton, Robby Faggart and Steve Seligman.
HILLIN CRASHES: One day after posting one of the best qualifying efforts of his career, Bobby Hillin Jr. was back at the drawing board after wrecking his car in practice Friday morning.
Hillin apparently blew a motor going into turn 1 and spun into the outside wall.
``It just locked the rear end up going into the corner,'' Hillin said. ``My left foot is bruised and the left side of my back is bruised, and it's kind of sore when I breathe. But other than that, I'm OK.''
IRVAN GETTING GRIEF: Ernie Irvan continues to catch flak for his involvement in the crash at Talladega last Sunday in which Dale Earnhardt suffered a broken collarbone and sternum.
Members of Sterling Marlin's team Friday were passing out photocopies a homemade message in the form of an eye chart that read: `Ernie Don't Hit Me You One-Eyed SOB.''
Marlin and Irvan nearly came to blows Wednesday when Marlin tossed a pair of glasses at Irvan and told him he needed them.
And after qualifying Thurday, when Earnhardt was being driven back to his motorhome on a golf cart, Earnhardt stuck his foot out as he passed Irvan and gave him a boot in the rear.
OPEN HOUSE: Texas Motor Speedway officials are expecting as many as 40,000 visitors to the track's second open house today. The track is 70 percent completed, and workers have begun paving the 1.5-mile speedway.
More than 26,000 people paid $5 each to see the facility during the track's first open house in early March. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Rick Mast, foreground, goes low to avoid the car of Bobby Hillin
Jr., who spun hard into the wall in turn 1 during a practice session
Friday morning at Indianapolis. Hillin, who had qualified
fifth-fastest, will start a backup car from the rear of the field
today. by CNB