By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDIANAPOLIS - Sunday's rain storm allowed Robby Gordon an easy way out of the Indy 500 to leave for the Nextel Cup Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte Sunday night.

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Gordon's team figured he had to be in the air by 3:45 p.m. in order to make the start of the Nextel Cup race, which started at 5:30 p.m. Because the Indy 500 did not start until 2:10 p.m., Gordon knew he would not be able to finish, but when it began to rain again after 27 laps, Gordon took advantage of the break, and left in a helicopter for the Indianapolis airport.

Jaques Lazier took Gordon's place in the No. 70 car after the 1 hour, 47-minute rain-delay and finished 29th after breaking an axel on the 72nd lap.

Gordon had hoped the rain would continue, postponing the Indy 500 until today, which would have given him a chance to come back and complete the race.

"I guess I'm the only person in Indianapolis who was hoping for rain, and is glad it did rain," Gordon said. "No disrespect to the Indy 500 fans, but with the late start today, that's what we needed."

HUGGINS MAKES 1ST TRIP: University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins was at the track Sunday, watching the Indy 500 in person for the first time.

"I've been here for the time trials before," Huggins said. "But never the race. I'm always pretty busy, it's hard to get away. But I like to watch the race. ... It's an unbelievable, spectacular place."

HORNISH CAUGHT WITH TRAFFIC: Sam Hornish Jr. ran near the front for the first half of the race, but was taken out when he got caught up in a crash between Darren Manning and Greg Ray on the 105th lap.

Speedway emergency crew worker David Stout was hurt in the accident. He was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further x-rays and examinations.

FOYTS AT FAULT: Sunday was a day to forget for the Foyt family at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Team owner A.J. Foyt watched his grandson A.J. Foyt IV finish last by crashing early in the race, coming back and withdrawing completely because of handling problems. Shortly thereafter, Foyt's son, Larry Foyt, crashed into the outside wall and finished 32nd, second to last.

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