Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 18, 1990 TAG: 9005180735
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
David Gaines, a 27-year-old aspiring driver hoping to gain some high-speed, big-track experience, was killed when his stalled car was struck at approximately 120-130 mph by a car driven by Steve McEachern, another superspeedway novice.
"Unfortunately this is the dark side of our sport," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, the speedway's president.
It was Wheeler who approached NASCAR officials 16 months ago about forming a new Sportsman Division, a low-budget class of racing that would offer aspiring Richard Pettys a chance to gain big-track experience in relatively low-powered cars.
It was a lack of experience that apparently cost Gaines his life.
The fatal accident began developing in Turn 3 at the 1 1/2-mile track and continued into Turn 4. After one car spun up the banking, forcing another car into the wall, the videotape replay showed Gaines slowing to avoid the trouble developing in front of him.
Gaines' car then was clipped in the rear by another car. His car spun and struck a row of water barrels lining the inner wall along Turn 4.
Gaines' car then rolled backward and back onto the track surface, where it stopped in a position perpendicular to oncoming traffic.
With the track's yellow caution lights on - Wheeler attested that flagman Vic Irvan flipped the switch as soon as the accident began unfolding - Gaines initially appeared to be out of harm's way.
But he wasn't. After what seemed like an eternity - after viewing the videotape, Wheeler said the time frame was 2.7 seconds - McEachern's car raced full throttle into the picture and violently slammed into Gaines' sitting-duck car.
Track officials said Gaines apparently died instantly of massive head injuries resulting from the savage impact.
On the replay, it appeared McEachern tried to turn left away from Gaines' stalled car at the final instant before impact, but by then it was too late. Obviously, McEachern never saw the yellow warning lights.
McEachern, who like Gaines had very limited big-track experience, suffered a badly cut left hand and lacerations. He was reported in good condition Thursday at University Memorial Hospital in Charlotte.
As a result of the crash, track officials said they are examining safety measures.
"We're reviewing everything," Wheeler said. "When something like this happens, you look at every item and detail."
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Thursday for Gaines, whose death is the seventh in the 31-year history of the track and the first in 12 years.
"It's tough to get over something like this," Wheeler said. "We know these things do happen, and when they do you have to keep going."
Wheeler said track officials were going to advise drivers in the Sportsman Division to use spotters during practice.
NASCAR's all-star weekend officially gets under way today at Charlotte with qualifying for the Winston Open, the companion event to Sunday's sixth running of The Winston.
Greg Sacks, Rick Wilson, Michael Waltrip, Ernie Irvan and Sterling Marlin are among the favorites to win the pole for the 30-car Winston Open field.
The 200-mile Open takes the green flag at 2:30 p.m. Sunday after the running of a 100-mile Sportsman race. The Open winner advances to become the 20th entry in The Winston, which follows at 4:30 p.m.
Marlin has won the Winston Open the past two years. Other notables in the Open field include Dale Jarrett, Rob Moroso, Jimmy Spencer and veteran Winston Cup drivers Richard Petty, Buddy Baker and Dick Trickle.
Qualifying for The Winston will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. The unique format will determine starting positions by the overall time of three laps, plus a timed two-tire, right-side pit stop. The early pole favorite is Geoff Bodine, whose Junior Johnson team took the pole last year with driver Terry Labonte.
The new format for The Winston calls for 70 laps and 105 miles of racing. After a 50-lap opening segment, the drivers and teams will be given 15 minutes to fine-tune their cars before the final 20-lap shootout for a $200,000 first prize.
Bristol (Tenn.) International Dragway celebrates its 26th anniversary May 25-27 with the International Hot Rod Association Spring Nationals championship.
The $500,000 event features competition in 13 Pro and Sportsman classes. More than 600 competitors and 60,000 fans are expected for the annual spring bash.
by CNB