MOTOR RACING ROUNDUP : Coulthard Holds Off Challengers for Pole

Scotsman David Coulthard held onto the pole for the Argentine Grand Prix, beating Williams-Renault teammate Damon Hill by almost a second Saturday in the final day of time trials in Buenos Aires.

Defying heavy rain and low visibility, Coulthard, the overnight leader, recorded the fastest time of 1 minute, 53.241 seconds, averaging 84.180 m.p.h. in his last lap around the slippery 2.647-mile circuit.

Britain’s Hill went from fourth to second on the grid. Defending Formula One champion Michael Schumacher of Germany, who struggled to handle the circuit Friday in his Benetton-Renault, sprinted into third place.

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Leaving well enough alone seemed to work for most of the cars left to qualify for the First Union 400 in North Wilkesboro, N.C.

Ricky Craven led the second-day qualifiers without actually running. He chose to sit on Friday’s time of 117.090 m.p.h. in his Chevrolet. In fact, 14 drivers stood on the times they ran during the first round. Jeff Gordon is the polesitter.

Darrell Waltrip stood on his time and will start 22nd today in his Chevrolet. Michael Waltrip will be alongside in his Pontiac.

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Larry Dixon, Cruz Pedregon and Scott Geoffrion are the No. 1 qualifiers heading into final eliminations today for the NHRA Winston Select Invitational in Rockingham, N.C.

Dixon led in Top Fuel with a track-record run of 4.763 seconds, 298.50 m.p.h. Pedregon was the Funny Car leader in 5.125 seconds, 292.96 m.p.h. Geoffrion led in Pro Stock with a pass of 7.001, 196.97 m.p.h.

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Ron Hornaday Jr. of Palmdale won the NASCAR SuperTruck by Craftsman Series Racing Champions 200 at Tucson Raceway Park with an average speed of 62.471 m.p.h. P.J. Jones of Rolling Hills was second.