ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512170016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: AUTO RACING NOTES
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
If Santa Claus had to pick up a few things for the racing fans on his list, he likely could get them today at the Southern Modified Motorsports Expo in Collinsville.
The Expo is being held to benefit the family of Kenny Minter, the Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams (SMART) driver from Martinsville who died Oct. 29 from injuries suffered in a race in Asheboro, N.C. More than 200 items will be sold at a 1 p.m. auction, including several donated by Winston Cup star Dale Earnhardt.
The Expo will be held at the old Moore's building on Business 220 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.
``A man could finish his Christmas shopping here really easy,'' said Randy Myers, the vice president of SMART.
Besides picking up stocking stuffers, fans can meet Winston Cup drivers Brett Bodine (noon-2 p.m.) and Jimmy Hensley (2-4 p.m.). Other drivers on hand will be Curtis Markham, Paul Radford, Satch Worley, Bobby Radford and Tony and Tim McGuire.
There also will be several Winston Cup cars on display, including those of Earnhardt, Ward Burton, Bobby Hamilton and Michael Waltrip, and fans will have the opportunity to ride in the Winston simulator.
Top items up for auction, Myers said, will be an Earnhardt-autographed deck lid and the side off his car which won the Sept. 24 race at Martinsville Speedway; the side off one of Mike Skinner's trucks; an autographed corner of a Skinner truck; a Richard Petty banner and an autographed piece of Hamilton's car; an autographed piece of Mark Martin's winning Talladega car; and an official NFL football autographed by the Interstate Batteries team of owner Joe Gibbs, driver Bobby Labonte and crew chief Jimmy Makar.
Also up for auction will be two Sam Bass prints, one autographed by Jeff Gordon and Earnhardt, and another signed by Richard Childress.
``Anybody that misses this is going to miss the big one,'' Myers said. ``The response for this has been unbelievable. You just don't know how close the racing community is until you see what's been going on down here.''
Part of the proceeds from the Expo will go toward a scholarship fund for Minter's son, Kenny Jr. SMART will continue to add to the scholarship fund, Myers said.
GENEROUS FANS: Racing fans donated 2,107 toys during Martinsville Speedway's Souvenir Days last Saturday and Sunday.
The toys were given to the Martinsville and Henry County departments of social services for distribution to needy children.
``Our fans exhibited their generosity again this year,'' speedway president Clay Campbell said. ``I hope this will make a merrier Christmas for many children in our area.''
A GRAND DEAL FOR WALTRIP: Grand Piano and Furniture Company, based in Roanoke, will be an associate sponsor this year of the Winston Cup car owned by the Wood Brothers and driven by Michael Waltrip.
Last year, Grand was an associate sponsor of the Stavola Brothers' Ford Thunderbird driven by Jeff Burton of South Boston.
Grand's sponsorship of the Wood Brothers' Ford is for the entire season. This also is Waltrip's first season with the Wood Brothers, who are based in Stuart.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 linesby CNB