Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 14, 1994 TAG: 9404140229
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's doubtful. But maybe NASCAR's carburetor and extra weight experiment in the Late Model Stock Car division will allow Fords and Chryslers to be competitive without dominating their General Motors counterparts.
Under the terms of the experiment, the Fords and Chryslers could use the larger-on-top carburetor that gave them extra power last year. But the cars also had to be 25 pounds heavier than the GM products on each side.
The result: Frankie Pennington finished third in his Ford Thunderbird last week at New River Valley Speedway. That finish was higher than any recorded previously this season by a non-GM product.
Tink Reedy of Roanoke (seventh in a Dodge Avenger) and Chad Harris (ninth in a Ford Thunderbird) also had top 10 finishes among the Ford/Chrysler contingent.
What happens now is up to NASCAR. A ruling - whether it be to adopt the rule, modify it, continue the experiment or make the Fords and Chryslers go back to the smaller carburetors the GMs use - is expected before this weekend's races.
"I don't know what will become the standard," said Lynn Carroll, the chief steward at NRVS. "Cook [Jerry Cook, the competition administrator for NASCAR] will have to wait until he hears from the other tracks. It'll be his decision."
\ THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: In the post-race interviews, Pennington paid tribute to Salem's Dicky Wilson for clean racing. The two raced side-by-side for third place the last half of the race without ever touching.
Pennington won the battle. Wilson had handling trouble late in the race - especially after the late-race restart - and ended up sixth.
Meanwhile, racing behind Pennington and Wilson for fifth place were Kenny Prillaman of Salem and Michael Dillon.
Prillaman and Dillon raced close, too - too close. They eventually collided in turn 4 on lap 94. The resulting accident was so vicious it noticeably moved the wall away from the track. The race was stopped briefly to get Dillon's car off the track.
\ DRIVER DISQUALIFIED, AGAIN: Rookie racer Neal Amos crossed the finish line but the post-race inspection found too much camber in his front tires. Amos' disqualification resulted in Chuck Floyd, the winner April 2, notching his second victory of the year. It was the third time in his career that Amos has finished a race first and been disqualified.
\ THIS WEEK: It's the Kool 100 Radio 200 at New River Valley Speedway. Gates open at 2 p.m., qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
At Franklin County, its a usual week of early evening April racing. Gates open at noon with the green flag dropping at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and children 10 and under are free.
by CNB