Cason Goes Rolling Along--Quickly : Track and field: Diminutive sprinter will try to beat Johnson again tonight at Sports Arena. Bubka, Joyner-Kersee also featured.

At first glance, it’s not sensible to say Andre Cason has a problem. Cason is the world indoor champion at 60 meters. Friday night in a meet at Madrid, Cason lowered his world record at that distance to 6.41 seconds. It bettered a record he set only two weeks ago.

So what’s the problem? The problem is that too often all but the most dedicated track fans react to his name with ‘Andre who?’

Cason is an anomaly in the sprint ranks. He’s quiet. He doesn’t brag or berate his opponents.

Cason returns to Los Angeles to run the 50-meter dash in tonight’s 33rd Annual Sunkist Invitational at the Sports Arena. Last year’s meet was Cason’s breakthrough performance. He beat Ben Johnson at the Canadian’s best distance and displayed an explosive start that startled, coming from one so slight.

As for the problems, Cason isn’t controversial.

He doesn’t even look like a sprinter. Not like hulking sprinters such as Johnson and Leroy Burrell and even the tall, muscular Carl Lewis. Cason is 5 feet 7, 155 pounds.

Cason, however, is very quick.

“If people want Ben and Carl, they go to them,” said Wayne Souza, Cason’s business manager. “Andre has carved out a niche--a little guy with a tremendous heart. He doesn’t have Ben or Carl’s image. But he might surprise you. He’s very confident this year.”

With reason. Cason’s dominance indoors has held up in races against Burrell and others. Tonight’s 50-meter field includes Johnson and Jeff Williams.

Cason’s new attitude of confidence may come from additional coaching. He is working again with UCLA’s John Smith, a taskmaster of great renown. For the first time, Cason is getting advice from Art Venegas, UCLA’s throwing coach. Venegas’ weight training program has added strength and endurance to Cason.

“I’m more focused, this being an Olympic year,” Cason said. “I should have an outstanding outdoor season, (judging by) this indoor season. I’m stronger now and faster.”

The other world record-holders in the meet are pole vaulter Sergei Bubka and heptathlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee. The pole vault is scheduled for 6 p.m., the first event in the open portion of the meet. More than 1,000 high school athletes will compete in the prep section, which begins at 12:10 p.m.

Other meet highlights:

--Bubka in the pole vault. Few athletes have dominated their event as has Bubka. Look for him to begin vaulting about the time the rest of the field is dropping out. Bubka has made a nice living from nudging his world record higher, thus collecting bonuses. If he does that tonight, he will also win a Jeep. Also in the field are veterans Earl Bell and Tim Bright.

--Joyner-Kersee in the long jump. It’s always a treat to watch Joyner-Kersee compete, no matter the event, and the long jump is her favorite. Joyner-Kersee has been America’s best long jumper for so long that it’s a wonder young athletes get started in the event. Also in the field is Tonya Sedwick, who, like Joyner-Kersee, was a multi-events performer at UCLA.

--Willie Gault in the 50-meter hurdles. Gault has been away from track while playing football for the Raiders. With rules changes allowing professionals in one sport to remain amateur in another, Gault is back. His last indoor competition was in 1983, but he looks sharp. At the Millrose Games last week, Gault didn’t win, but he beat the event’s best: Greg Foster. Also in the race, decathlete Dan O’Brien and Tony Li of China.

--Suzy Hamilton in the mile. Hamilton’s ready smile belies her tenacious competitive drive. She is one of the best tactical indoor runners around, male or female. The withdrawal of PattiSue Plumer because of a hip injury removes some of the competition. Also in the field is former Cal State Northridge star Darcy Arreola, who was third at the national championships.

--Evelyn Ashford in the 50 meters. What hasn’t Ashford done? She’s a four-time Olympian and, even at age 34, don’t count her out to make her fifth team this year. Ashford was in the top 10 in the world last season for the 12th time. Experience counts, even in a race as short as this. Also in the race are Michelle Finn and Alice Brown.