Irwin Killed in Practice Crash

Winston Cup driver Kenny Irwin was killed Friday when his stock car slammed into a wall at 150 mph at a track in Loudon, N.H., where tragedy is becoming all too familiar.

Eight weeks ago to the day--at almost the same spot--rookie Adam Petty was also killed in a wreck during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Irwin, the rookie of the year in 1998, was entering the third turn when his Chevrolet struck the wall and flipped onto its roof during practice for Sunday’s New England 300. The upper part of his body was covered with blood and he appeared lifeless when removed from the car.

Irwin, 30, died of “multiple injuries,” Concord Hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Dearborn said, but offered no other details. Irwin’s death was not announced at the track until nearly four hours after the crash.

Speculation centered on a stuck accelerator that would have prohibited Irwin from slowing enough to make the turn. That also was believed to be the reason for Petty’s crash, but NASCAR has not been able to verify that.

Richard Petty, NASCAR’s all-time winner and Adam’s grandfather, said it was a coincidence that the two drivers were killed in crashes at almost the same spot.

“Those things are circumstances beyond human control,” said Petty, who won a record 200 races and seven championships. “There ain’t nothing the matter with the racetrack.”

Others, though, were quick to criticize the track.

Rusty Wallace said there is a bump at the end of the long backstretch, where cars are going about 150 mph. Wallace, who won the pole with a lap of 132.089 mph, also said dirt and rubber buildup on the asphalt surface has made the 1.058-mile oval among the slickest on the circuit.

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Joe Ruttman, 55, won the pole for the thatlook.com 200 at Loudon, extending his record as the oldest driver to lead qualifying for a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. . . . American rider Kenny Roberts won the provisional pole in the first qualifying session for the 500cc division of the British Grand Prix motorcycle race at Donnington, England.

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A couple was charged with neglect after they left their two young children, ages 8 and 5, at a beachside hotel while they attended the Pepsi 400 stock car race at Ormond Beach, Fla.

Harold Hadnott, 47, and Sara Hadnott, 31, of Greensboro, N.C., were arrested early Sunday when they returned to their hotel room.

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The Indianapolis 500 will once again be nearly a monthlong exercise next May.

The race will switch back to the original three-week schedule that includes two weeks of practice and two weekends of qualifying, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George said.