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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 1990)
Grand Prix Continued from Page 13 Inevitably, one of the caterers would come over and say something like, “Excuse me, but are you gentlemen employed with this brokerage?” The best way to respond in this situation was to always act a little bewildered and apologetic, saying something like “Oh, I’m so embarrassed, you mean this ISN’T the Marriott luncheon?” This routine went on for most of Saturday and Sunday afternoon, until our stomachs were full, and everyone had become pretty familiar with our faces. As far as the pits go, I was amazed at how closely it resembled Tom -- Cruise’s latest movie. The same sort of synchronized chaos, the same sense of danger when a driver pulls in for a tire change, not knowing if his car is on fire or not. And there is also a common good old-boy mentality to be found among thepitcrews, particularly the friendly members of the Skoal Bandit Racing Team. There were many notable drivers in this year’s Grand Prix, such as former Olympic decathlon star Bruce Jenncr, but my main objective in the pit area was to get a glimpse of Lynn St. James,an enchanting woman driv - \ ing the Ford Motor Company’s Mus tang. She is the sole reason why the prefix “Lady and” had been added the old phrase ‘ ‘Gentlemen, start your engines.” Besides being the first woman to drive 200 mph on an oval track, and - holding 30 world speed records, Sl James is one very attractive lady. When car problems knocked her out of the race for the second year in a row, I thought Fd try to console her, and possibly interest her in cocktails after the post-race press conference. She was instantly mobbed by a group of sports writers, local TV reporters, and a couple of cheeseballs from ESPN’s “Motor World,” and an impromptu interview press con ference ensued. My mechanical igno rance must have been obvious when I interrupted to ask “Gee, Lynn, are you sure it’s not just out of gas?” Before I could get a response, I was crowded out by an over/ealous cameraman. But Lynn and I crossed paths later, and she explained to me the intricacies of operating a race car. She left for Denver before the race was over, gearing up for that city’s Grand Prix. A brake failure sent Paul New man’s racing partner, Scott Sharp into a wall after leading for nearly two thirds of the Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix. After that, the Olivelti Baretta team of Tommy Kendall and Chris Kneifcl coasted to an easy 1-2 finish. Standing alongside the Baretta pit crew, one could tell they had won before. They all had very calm looks., they donned the spificsl jumpsuits, and they were the only pit crew on the track that had scantily clad women timing the driver’s laps. Des Moines is but a three-hour drive from Lincoln, and well worth the drive. It lives and breathes more like several small towns strung to gether than a bustling, expanding city. And at least once a year, they pul on one hell of a party. Biikenstockf Experience comfort in exciting new colors and styles for men, women and children. Repair sendee available. *3 f Footloose & Fancy 1219 ’P' 476-6119 s- - Sidewalk Sale Specials 10% OFF everything in the store 3 days only Many one of a kind bikes up to 20% off Clothing up to 40% off Many accessories up to 40% off Downtown Bike Shop 427 So. 13th 435-2322 Above: Talking rear-ends, the car version, with Lynn St. James-hers gave out after 33 laps. Below: A “Super-Vee” racer heads into turn number 3 at over 100 mph. mi 111■ '■in him n»ibiiBUTwrTrm——inwr ' . 500 OFF ! Any pizza 475-6363! NAME_ ADDRESS_I DATE_ j $1 .oooffI Any pizza ordered 11 a.m.~4 p.m. 475-6363 i NAME_ I ADDRESS _ DATE_ - —-- --— C— J
