Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 21, 1994 TAG: 9404210145
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After reviewing the results of races the weekend of April 10, NASCAR added another 30 pounds of weight to the Fords and Chryslers.
That makes a total of 80 extra pounds those cars must carry in return for being allowed to run the larger-on-top carburetor. The weight, in the form of lead secured to the frame, has to be distributed 45 pounds on the left side and 35 on the right.
The non-GM drivers at NRVS seem to be in agreement on the effect that weight will have on them - it will drag their cars down in the closing stages of a race.
This week, Salem's Tink Reedy had the top finish and the best qualifying run among the non-GM drivers. He came home sixth in his Dodge Avenger after starting eighth.
Ronnie Thomas and Frankie Pennington both had strong cars. But Thomas' Chrysler LeBaron blew its engine after 41 laps. Pennington had to drop out with five laps to go because of damage to the left rear quarter panel of his Ford Thunderbird.
\ SIX PACK COMES BACK AT FCS: Rodney "Six Pack" Cundiff made his 1994 debut and finished fifth in the 100-lap Late Model race at Franklin County Speedway.
Cundiff, who lives just a few miles from FCS in Boones Mill, has raced mostly at NRVS the last two seasons.
But NASCAR changes in the engine rules for Fords (including the carburetor controversy) would have meant a major overhaul for Cundiff's Ford Thunderbird - so major he considered retirement.
Instead, Cundiff went to Franklin County, which is sanctioned by the American Motorsports Benevolent Association and where Cundiff could race without changing his car.
\ THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: At New River Valley Speedway, it's the Fire and Safety 200 with a 100-lap Late Model Stock feature. Gates open at 2 p.m., with qualifying at 6 and racing at 8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
Also, today at NRVS there is an open practice from 4 to 8 p.m. Spectator admission is free.
At Franklin County, it's a special week of racing excitement. The first of two Winston Cup Crew Chiefs' races will be Saturday. The teams are in the area for the Hanes 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.
Among those expected to compete are Brad Parrott (Rusty Wallace's team), Danny Lawrence (Dale Earnhardt's team), Ricky Viers and Jimmy Pendland (both of Harry Gant's team) and former major league catcher Jody Davis.
Also, there's the first $1,000 Any Car race of the season, which has drawn a large field, including Bessie Turner, a 60-year-old grandmother who has never raced before. She is the mother of Pure Stock regular Mike Turner.
Gates open at noon with the green flag dropping at 7 p.m. - one hour late than the past three weeks. Tickets are $5 for adults; children 10 and under get in free.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB