It's a shame the Indy racing League doesn't recognize "three stars" the way the NHL does. If it did, the "three stars" from Sunday's Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway would be Sam Hornish Jr., George Mack and Airton Dare.

Hornish gets the first star for his total domination. He captured the pole and then proceeded to lead almost three-quarters of the race. On the way to his fourth career win, the defending IRL champion posted the fastest pit stops (in the single digits) and muscle that left little doubt about the race's outcome.

While Hornish arrived at Homestead as the IRL's torch bearer, Dare showed up without a ride. After a sophomore season where he finished a career-best 10th in the standings, Dare's Team Xtreme folded and left the 23-year-old without a seat for this year's schedule.

Dare was the 2000 Rookie of the Year and on many team's "short lists" last season. In fact, he was shopped to potential sponsors by Hornish's Pennzoil Panther Racing team. But when Miami opened Thursday, he was roaming the garage along with Richie Hearn, Greg Ray, Shigeaki Hattori, P.J. Jones and Jeret Schoreder.

Then, Donnie Beechler crashed in Turn 4.

Beechler understands the frustrations of watching a race from the pits. Last season he was in Dare's spot when Miami rolled around. After a three-year stint for Larry Cahill, Beechler was released so Cahill could sign Robby McGehee.

While Beechler stayed overnight due to a suspected concussion, Dare got the call from A.J. Foyt.

"I was told to report to A.J.'s garage," Dare said. "At first I thought someone was fooling around with me, but when A.J. asked me if I had my stuff with me and then told me to go get it because he wanted me to drive the No. 14, I just couldn't believe it."

Dare had never driven a Dallara, but used qualifying and a Saturday morning practice session to acquaint himself with Foyt's package. After using the first part of the race to get his driving legs back, Dare was in the hunt for a podium finish until he brushed the wall with three laps left in the race, settling for 10th.

Hopefully, Dare's post-Homestead rewards will parallel Beechler's post-Indy reward of a ride with Foyt for most of the remaining 2001 season.

Mack was "scared to death" before he went out to qualify his 310 Racing Special.

"Not because of the cars, but I just don't want to screw up," he said.

Mack need not have worried. After putting his jet black G-Force into the 24th spot on the grid, Mack went to school for 200 laps. Mack is a West Coast karting standout with more than 200 karting wins to his credit.

Like Hornish, Mack hopes to parlay his karting prowess into an IRL career. When his took the green flag Saturday he became the second African-American to compete in the IRL.

While CART and NASCAR pursue affirmative action programs to develop minority racers, Mack and team owner Marc Laider, an African-American native of Los Angeles who started his career early in life by competing in motocross, jumped into the IRL.

Laider's business interests include one of the largest automotive customizing boutiques in the United States.

But, neither that nor NBA standout Chris Mills (a partner in 310 Racing) was going to help Mack. Instead, Mack used his mirrors and spotter to stay out of trouble and "go to school."

When the race ended, Mack was both happy and relieved. With a helmet on, you cannot tell a driver's color. But Mack knew his performance carried the tag, "the field's only African-American." Mack can talk to Sarah Fisher about carrying a standard.

All last season, she was quizzed about gender issues despite her insistence that "all I want to be looked upon as is a driver."

For his patience and his broad shoulders, Mack should receive the race's third star.

For his stepping into the breech and producing, Dare should receive the second star.

For dominating give Hornish the race's first star.

I forgot. There are no "three stars" awarded in racing.