DENVER -- Al Unser Jr. blew away from the rest of the 24-car field yesterday to win his second straight Texaco-Havoline Grand Prix and move solidly into the race for the Indy-car championship.
Unser never was headed, holding off a mild challenge from Emerson Fittipaldi at the end to win his second race of the season and the 17th of his career.
Michael Andretti finished third, cutting Bobby Rahal's CART PPG Cup points lead to 141-132. Rahal's engine blew on lap 28. Unser moved to third with 129 points after 12 of 17 races.
Unser, who started third, barely stayed out of a first turn melee at the start in which Eddie Cheever, who was involved in at least five bumping incidents during the race, knocked Mario Andretti's car into a concrete barrier.
1. (3) Al Unser Jr., Albuquerque, N.M., Lola-Chevrolet, 70, $135,700, 69.576. 2. (4) Emerson Fittipaldi, Brazil, Penske-Chevrolet, 70, $106,100. 3. (1) Michael Andretti, Nazareth, Pa., Lola-Chevrolet, 70, $85,000. 4. (6) Eddie Cheever, Aspen, Colo., Lola-Chevrolet, 70, $66,950. 5. (9) Scott Pruett, Dublin, Ohio, Truesports-Judd, 69, $62,300. 6. (13) Willy T. Ribbs, San Jose, Calif., 1990 Lola-Cosworth, 69, $55,400. 7. (12) John Andretti, Indianapolis, Lola-Chevrolet, 68, $42,000. 8. (8) Rick Mears, Bakersfield, Calif., Penske-Chevrolet, 68, $40,600. 9. (16) Buddy Lazier, Vail, Colo., 1990 Lola-Cosworth, 68, $29,200. 10. (20) Tony Bettenhausen, Indianapolis, 1990 Penske-Chevrolet, 68, $33,920.
11. (24) John Jones, Canada, 1989 Lola-Buick, 68, $33,030. 12. (18) Jeff Andretti, Nazareth, Pa., Lola-Cosworth, 67, $31,500. 13. (22) Jeff Wood, Wichita, Kan., Lola-Cosworth, 67, $31,000. 14. (21) Hiro Matsushita, Japan, Lola-Cosworth, 66, $27,800. 15. (5) Mario Andretti, Nazareth, Pa., Lola-Chevrolet, 50, crash, $27,800. 16. (15) Scott Brayton, Coldwater, Mich., Lola-Chevrolet, 48, crash, $24,600. 17. (23) Randy Lewis, Hillsborough, Calif., 1990 Lola-Cosworth, 46, header, $23,000. 18. (10) Danny Sullivan, Aspen, Colo., Lola-Alfa Romeo, 43, electrical, $23,000. 19. (14) Roberto Guerrero, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Lola-Buick, 37, off course, $13,000. 20. (2) Bobby Rahal, Dublin, Ohio, Lola-Chevrolet, 28, engine, $23,000.
21. (19) Ted Prappas, Los Angeles, Lola-Judd, 26, engine, $16,400. 22. (7) Arie Luyendyk, Netherlands, Lola-Chevrolet, 18, ignition, $21,400. 23. (17) Didier Theys, Belgium, 1990 Lola-Cosworth, 14, electrical, $21,400. 24. (11) Scott Goodyear, Canada, Lola-Judd, 10, water hose, $21,400.
