Stage Set for Two-Timing Andretti

John Andretti took a big step forward Wednesday night in Concord, N.C., in his bid to become the first person to run in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Andretti, who has already earned the 10th spot in Sunday morning’s Indy 500 starting grid, assured himself of a spot in the 42-car field for that afternoon’s Winston Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Andretti, driving a Chevrolet Lumina, posted a fast lap of 178.542 m.p.h., good enough for the ninth starting position.

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Indy car champion Nigel Mansell has ruled out a return to Formula One this season, choosing to concentrate on the Indianapolis 500 and Indy car season, according to the Daily Mail of London.

Pro Football

The Rams, searching for a veteran tackle to protect quarterback Chris Miller, came to terms on a two-year contract with free agent Clarence Jones of the New York Giants.

Jones is expected to sign with the Rams by the end of the week, said his agent, George Mavrikes. The Rams also came to terms on a two-year deal with veteran tailback Cleveland Gary and a one-year contract with backup fullback-tailback David Lang.

Jones, 6 feet 6 and 280 pounds, has backed up Jumbo Elliott and Doug Riesenberg in three seasons with the Giants.

Buffalo Bill quarterback Jim Kelly said he has bone spurs in his throwing shoulder but hopes to avoid surgery.

Coach Marv Levy said Kelly will be examined by Dr. Richard Hawkins in Vail, Colo., next Wednesday. Kelly said the exam will determine whether he should continue rehabilitation or have arthroscopic surgery.

Tennis

Top-ranked Wayne Black of USC led 32 players into the second round of the NCAA Division I men’s tennis championships at South Bend, Ind.

Black defeated Carlos Engel of Auburn, 6-3, 6-1.

Third-seeded Rob Janecek of UCLA beat Rob Givone of Georgia Tech, 6-3, 6-4. No. 4 Sargis Sargsian of Arizona State was the highest seeded player ousted, losing, 6-2, 6-2, to Joakim Appelqvist of Mississippi.

USC’s Jon Leach advanced by defeating Georgia’s Bobby Mariencheck, 6-4, 6-2.

Pepperdine also had two winners. Charles Auffray defeated Adam Mandell of Yale, 6-1, 6-1, and Ari Nathan defeated Phil Cooper of Wichita State, 6-1, 6-2.

Basketball

Officers investigating an auto accident involving former Cal star Jason Kidd are looking into a report that a passenger in Kidd’s vehicle pointed a gun at another motorist.

Kidd, 21, has admitted that he panicked and fled the scene.

The San Francisco Examiner reported Wednesday that CHP officers plan to ask Kidd whether he took the gun with him.

Seattle SuperSonic President Bob Whitsitt, the NBA’s executive of the year, might be leaving the franchise for another job in the league. SuperSonic owner Barry Ackerley said that Whitsitt, mentioned as a replacement in Portland, San Antonio and Sacramento, has requested a release from his contract.

Golf

USC’s Jennifer Biehn shot a three-under 70 to help the Trojans to a two-over-par 294 and a three-shot lead over defending champion Arizona State after the first round of the NCAA women’s golf championship in West Linn, Ore. Caroline Peek of Furman had the low score of 68.

John Daly, complaining of allergy problems, withdrew from this week’s Southwestern Bell Colonial in Ft. Worth.

Miscellany

Stanford revoked athletic privileges for seven athletes for the May 16 attack on a campus sculpture celebrating gay freedom. Those punished include members of Stanford’s baseball team, which is in the NCAA playoffs.