ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603040106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: AUTO RACING NOTES
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
Ernie Irvan led the second round of Pontiac Excitement 400 qualifying Saturday at Richmond International Raceway, but he's still far from where he expected to be, even at this early stage in the NASCAR 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 in a crash 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 miles per hour 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), Randy MacDonald and Robby Faggart. The provisional starting spots went to Lake Speed, Bobby Labonte, John Andretti and Bobby Hillin.
RESCUE QUESTIONS: The more one hears about the rescue of Allen last weekend at Rockingham, the worse it sounds.
Team member Jeff Baker said here 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 afternoon.
``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.''
Baker said he had discussed his complaints with NASCAR Vice President of Competition Mike Helton.
``He wasn't jerked up out of the car,'' Helton said Saturday.
``But how he was pulled out of the car, I don't know. I wasn't over there when they pulled him out.''
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB