Burton Injured

Jeff Burton was injured in a crash during practice at Michigan Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., that also took out primary cars for Jeff Gordon and Dick Trickle.

Burton was taken to a hospital in Jackson, Mich., for X-rays after the crash, which began when Gordon lost control of his Chevrolet in Turns 3 and 4 at the 2-mile track. He was later released.

Burton qualified ninth for today’s Miller 400. Gordon was 12th and Trickle 17th. All three will use back-up cars, though, so they will drop to the rear of the pack before the green flag.

The highly partisan crowd groaned and Jacques Villeneuve winced when Michael Schumacher wrested the Canadian Grand Prix pole from the young Canadian moments after the checkered flag waved.

For the second straight year, the local hero came up just short, taking the outside spot on the front row for today’s race on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - the course in Montreal named after Jacques’ late father.

Mario Andretti’s effort to win the only major car title he has not captured, the Le Mans 24 Hours race in Le Mans, France, appeared to end with gear box and clutch problems.

Andretti, his son Michael and Frenchmen Olivier Grouillard were teamed in a Courage Porsche.

After 12 hours, Andretti’s car was in 29th place. It was in the pits twice for more than 1-1/2 hours to put it 29 laps behind the lead.