Motor Racing: Second best for Mansell: British driver extends his overall lead in IndyCar Championship

(First Edition)

PAUL TRACY, of Canada, in a Penske-Chevrolet, drove a mature race to lead from start to finish and claim his fourth victory of the IndyCar season here yesterday. But Nigel Mansell, who finished second in his Newman-Haas Lola-Ford, extended his lead in the PPG Cup standings to 31 points as a result of the race.

A minor rules infringement for speeding in pit lane earned Emerson Fittipaldi, who was Mansell's closest challenger when the race started, a stop-go penalty and cast doubts over his championship hopes.

Tracy's race was proficient and uneventful, unlike his attempt here last year, shortly after he had taken over the Penske-Chevrolet drive. Then he had pole position but was in a spare car, having crashed heavily in practice. He span several times before ending his race in a sandtrap.

This time his car flipped during his trial run on Friday and he came to the track on crutches with his foot bandaged tightly to enable him to drive. But he committed no indiscretions in the race as he steadily increased his lead over Mansell.

'It was pretty tough. It was a pretty long race,' the 24-year-old said. 'I tried to keep a constant pace. I had my foot wrapped up pretty tight and the circulation is cut off. It fell asleep there at the end.'

Mansell, whose Lola appeared to lack the power of Tracy's car, was warm in his praise: 'The Penske car was just working fabulous.' '(Tracy) drove great. I drove as hard as could. Eighteen points is very valuable.'

Mansell may soon be joined on the circuit by another Briton. Derek Warwick, who currently drives a Footwork-Mugen Honda in Formula One, was very visible in the pit lane this weekend, making no secret of the fact that he is actively looking for a competitive IndyCar ride.

The former champion, Bobby Rahal, was third ahead of the Brazilians Raul Boesel and Fittipaldi, with Eddie Cheever, of the United States, sixth. The next race will be held on a temporary circuit on the streets of Vancouver next weekend.

TEXACO-HAVOLINE 200 (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin): 1 P Tracy (Can) Penske-Chevrolet 1hr 41min 20.689sec (118.408mph); 2 N Mansell (GB) Lola-Ford Cosworth +27.459sec; 3 B Rahal (US) Lola-Chevrolet +39.518; 4 R Boesel (Bra) Lola-Ford Cosworth +51.576; 5 E Fittipaldi (Bra) Penske-Chevrolet +1min 1.55sec; 6 E Cheever (US) Lola-Ford Cosworth +1:51.804. Overall standings: 1 Mansell 160pts; 2 Fittipaldi 129; 3 Tracy 122; 4 Boesel 110; 5 Andretti 97.