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

DATE: SATURDAY, July 31, 1993                   TAG: 9307310234
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS                                LENGTH: Short

IRVAN ON POLE FOR GN

Ernie Irvan drove a lap of 109.828 mph Friday night as Winston Cup drivers swept the top three qualifying spots for the Kroger 200 Grand National stock car race at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Starting alongside Irvan's Chevrolet in tonight's 200-lap event on the .686-mile track will be Michael Waltrip, who qualified a Pontiac at 109.371. Terry Labonte was third in a Chevrolet at 109.004.

"This is better than last week; at least we've got all four wheels on the ground," said Irvan, whose car became airborne briefly on the final lap of last week's Grand National event in Talladega, Ala.

"The car is really running well and I think we have a good shot at winning," he said. "I finished fifth here last year, but I led the most laps and had some problems. I really like this track."

Grand National regular Ward Burton qualified fourth at 108.951 in a Chevrolet, with Todd Bodine fifth at 108.755 in a Chevrolet.

Thirty-five cars made qualifying attempts Friday and the fastest 12 locked up starting positions. The remaining spots in the 34-car starting grid will be filled with a second round of qualifying and a 25-lap qualifying race today.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB