Villeneuve Learns Lesson In Crash Course

It was the ultimate embarrassment for Jacques Villeneuve.

With almost 103,000 fans, the biggest sports crowd in Canada’s history, on hand for the Canadian Grand Prix, the local hero lasted less than two laps.

Not only did Villeneuve crash out of the race before many in the huge crowd had even settled into their seats, the 26-year-old Formula One star did it to himself.

Villeneuve, who started behind pole-winner and ultimate race-winner Michael Schumacher, carried too much speed into the last turn on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, named for his late father. He lost control, slid across the track and smashed into a concrete barrier.

For a moment, the youngster sat in his car, obviously stunned at the sudden turn of events. Then he slapped his helmet with both hands, stepped out of the car and began to walk quickly to pit lane, again slapping his helmet with both hands.

“I just felt stupid,” Villeneuve said. “I misjudged the curb.”

Whether speaking English, French or Italian, Villeneuve - who came to Formula One in 1996 after winning the Indianapolis 500 and the CART PPG Cup title the previous year - had the same reason for the accident: He made “a beginner’s mistake.”

A mistake of epic proportions, one that cost him the lead in the Formula One standings.

Schumacher leads Villeneuve, 37-30, in the driver standings after the first seven races of the season, three of which the Canadian driver has won.

“This is going to be a hard one to swallow,” Villeneuve said. “But there is no point to stop eating or lose sleep over it. You must go on to the next race and forget it.”

Penalty box

Pro stock driver Jerry Eckman and crew chief Bill Orndorff were suspended indefinitely on Wednesday after the NHRA found nitrous oxide in their car’s engine oil.

The matter came to the NHRA’s attention last week at Columbus, Ohio, when the mixture exploded in the pit area occupied by the Orndorff Racing team.

Eckman and Orndorff, who also were fined $25,000 apiece, can apply for reinstatement in two years.

Unlucky guy

Sterling Marlin has had a season of trouble and frustration. In 14 starts, the two-time Daytona 500 winner has managed one top-five finish - fifth place in the season-opening race at Daytona - and two top 10s.

“It’s hard to believe the luck we’ve had this season,” Marlin said. “I’d go looking for a four-leaf clover, but I’m afraid I’d slip and break a leg or something.”

Marlin switched crew chiefs this week, when Tim Brewer left the Morgan-McClure team and was replaced on an interim basis by longtime crew member Robert Larkins.

“We’ve led races and we’ve run up front. We’ve proved we belong up there,” Marlin said. “Things have got to turn around soon.”

It takes heart

Tom Hoover won the Funny Car final last weekend at Columbus, Ohio, only nine weeks after undergoing heart-bypass surgery. It was only the second event in which Hoover, 56, of Minneapolis, had competed since surgery. He missed four races while recuperating.

Hoover also became the first No. 16 qualifier to win an event this season.

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