Motor Racing Roundup : Phil Krueger Injured in Michigan 500 Crash

Phil Krueger suffered critical chest injuries and possible broken ribs Sunday in an accident at the Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

Krueger, who was unconscious when he was removed from his car, was taken by helicopter to McCauley Medical Center in Ann Arbor, about 50 miles away.

Dr. Dave Crippen, a member of the CART medical staff, said: “He’s coming around slowly. He is in critical condition but at this time the injuries don’t appear to be life-threatening.”

Michael Andretti overcame a handful of early mistakes to win his second consecutive Indy-car race.

During the long caution period that resulted from Krueger’s accident, Andretti went in front when leader Rick Mears made a pit stop.

Mears jumped to the front as the green flag waved again on lap 220, but Andretti’s Chevrolet-powered Lola quickly regained the lead.

Mears, a three-time Indy winner, took over on lap 232 and the battle continued with the leaders separated by less than one second.

As lap 240 began, Mears suddenly slowed with what was later reported as a suspension problem. The rear end of the car twitched and Mears almost lost control of his Penske PC18-Chevrolet.

Andretti moved into the lead and, when Mears pitted, his ninth career victory was assured.

“If it had gone down to the end with myself and Rick, I knew it would have been a very good race,” Andretti said.

Teo Fabi of Italy was second, one lap plus 26.927 seconds behind. That gave the Porsche team its best finish in two years on the Indy-car circuit.

Mario Andretti was third, followed by Al Unser Jr. and, two laps down, Derek Daly of Ireland.

Joe Amato won his third NHRA event of the year by beating Dick LaHaie in the final of the $621,3000 Seafair Nationals at Seattle International Raceway in Kent, Wash.

In the Funny Car competition, Amato’s teammate, Bruce Larson, defeated defending champion Kenny Bernstein in the final.

Jean Michel Bayle of the United States extended his world 250 cc motocross championship lead after dominating the Swedish Grand Prix at Ulricehamn, Sweden.

Miss Circus Circus, driven by Chip Hanauer of Seattle, led throughout the championship heat to win the Seafair Rainier Cup for unlimited hydroplanes on Lake Washington in Seattle.