Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 21, 1993 TAG: 9310210021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
More than $26,000 will be on the line in the 250-lap Late Model Stock Car portion of the Southwest Virginia Chevrolet Dealers 300. The program also includes a 50-lap Limited Sportsman race with a purse of almost $3,700.
Sixty cars have registered to take a shot at the $6,500 winner's share of the LMSC purse. The field includes all six NRVS winners from this year and six others who have won at the track in previous seasons.
The top 20 cars in qualifying will be guaranteed positions for the big race. The others will have to make the field in two 25-lap qualifying races. The top six from each of those will move into the lineup.
"I feel like we'll see the same guys up front as you did during the year," said Christiansburg's Ronnie Thomas, who holds the single season (12) and career (46) victory marks at NRVS. "You might see a new face or two. But on lap 250, you'll see the same guys up there fighting for the win."
However, some of the drivers from other tracks also think they have a good shot at winning.
"I feel like we have a chance to do real good," said Mike Skinner of Randleman, N.C., the track champion at Carraway Speedway. "We'll have the same car we did at Martinsville [at the Advance Auto Parts 500 on Sunday]."
All Skinner did with his Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway was hold off Thomas for the victory. He also had a successful trip to NRVS this year, finishing third in his back-up car.
The New River Valley Speedway regulars will have the advantage of knowing every bump and bend in the .416-mile oval just outside of Radford in Pulaski County where they ran 22 races this season.
"If anything, it will give us an advantage in handling over drivers who might race there once a year or two times a year," said NRVS track champion Paul Radford of Ferrum.
All the drivers will have to deal with the event's length and format, though. The 250 laps will be the most ever run for the Late Model Stocks at New River.
The race will be split into 125-lap segments, with teams allowed to add fuel and make adjustments - but no tire changes - during the mandatory 10-minute pit stop at the halfway point. The race is divided that way to make sure no one loses out by running out of fuel.
"You have to pace yourself in a race like that," said Johnny Rumley of Winston-Salem, N.C., second on the NRVS career win list with 27.
Gates open at 9 a.m. and practice begins at 11. Qualifying will get under way at 1 p.m. Racing begins with the LMSC qualifiers at 3 p.m., followed by the Limited race and then the Late Model main event.
Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
by CNB