Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 14, 1993 TAG: 9303140083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
MARTINSVILLE REVVING UP FOR OPENER
The sounds of rumbling engines and screeching tires again will permeate the hills of Henry County this week as Martinsville Speedway opens its 47th season with the Miller Genuine Draft 500.The 500-lap racing doubleheader, which starts next Sunday at 1 p.m., includes a 300-lap NASCAR Busch Grand National feature followed by a 200-lap race for NASCAR's Late Model Stock Car division.
For the first time in decades, NASCAR's Modified division won't be competing in the Martinsville season opener.
"Basically, it was strictly a business decision," said speedway president Clay Campbell. "Crowd-wise, we weren't doing what we felt was adequate. We didn't feel like we were bringing in the fans from the North like we were at one time."
Campbell also noted the increasing popularity of the LMSC division in the area. Most of the 135 early LMSC entries are regular participants at the Saturday night short-track shows across the state.
The LMSC race carries a purse of $50,165, one of the richest pots ever for the division. The winner is guaranteed $10,000.
"Prestige was the reason we came to Martinsville in the past. Now it's prestige and big money," said North Carolinian Barry Beggarly, who pocketed $10,000 in February by winning the Winston Invitational in Barberville, Fla.
LMSC time trials on the .526-mile oval begin Friday at 3 p.m., when the top 20 spots in the 30-car field will be filled. Christiansburg's Ronnie Thomas holds the event qualifying record of 89.426 mph.
The 30-car Grand National field will be established in one qualifying session on Saturday at 1 p.m. Current Winston Cup driver Brett Bodine owns the event's GN qualifying record of 92.469 mph, set in 1987.
The final 10 spots in the LMSC field will be determined in two 50-lap qualifying races, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday. The top five finishers in each heat will make Sunday's race.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING