
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 1, 1994                   TAG: 9403010114
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FINCH GETTING BACK ON TRACK WITH PURVIS

James Finch, who owned the car in which Neil Bonnett was killed in a crash Feb. 11 at Daytona, has decided to follow the example of Bonnett's son, David, and return to stock car racing.

Finch is expected to announce today that he will return to the Winston Cup series with driver Jeff Purvis. A news conference has been scheduled today to make the formal announcement.

Purvis will not drive a full schedule, according to sources, but will drive more than the six-race schedule Bonnett had arranged. The team, which will retain Country Time drink mix as its main sponsor, reportedly also plans to enter some NASCAR Grand National races.

Ray Mercer's lawyer will withdraw his request for a hearing on a tape of the heavyweight boxer's alleged bribe to an opponent during a bout last year. The lawyer, Anthony Amorosa, said he decided to forgo the hearing after listening to the tape Monday in the Manhattan district attorney's office.

Jury selection for Mercer's trial begins March 14. He is charged with one count of bribery for allegedly offering Jesse Ferguson $100,000 to lose during a fight carried on Home Box Office at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6, 1993. Ferguson won a unanimous decision.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING BOXING

by CNB