Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405060016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-17 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. Dougherty
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
After Eddie Johnson won back-to-back races at Southside Speedway and Langley Raveway in a Ford Thunderbird and Ronnie Thomas led almost half the race here at New River Valley Speedway in a Chrsysler LeBaron on the weekend of April 22-23, NASCAR has again changed the rules on the carburators and weight-allowances.
This time though, tracks are being allowed more leyway in establishing their rules as NASCAR searches for a way to make all the cars fair.
At NRVS, that means there non-GM drivers have two options: run the larger carburator and 100 pounds of extra weight (55 on the left and 45 on the right, or run the smaller carburator and be 50 pounds lighter than the standard weight of 3,100 pounds.
``We've had a time trying to get this one right,'' said Lynn Carroll, the chief steward at NRVS. ``Everyone tingks we're being wishy-washy. But we're trying to be fix something and get it right. We're trying to come up with something the is fair for everyone, equal for everyone. We know we can't make everyone happy. But we want to do the best we can.''
Given the option, Thomas and Bobby Radford, who also drives a Chrysler LeBaron, used the small carburator and ran light. Ford Thunederbird drivers Frankie Pennington and Chad Harris and Dodge Avenger driver Tink Reedy took the large carburator and the 100 pounds of extra weight.
The result - all but the rookie driver Harris finished in the top 10. Harris started back in the pack and his Chrysler was damaged beyond repair in a multiple car spin on the second lap.
Roanoke's Reedy had the best finish. After starting 14th, he worked his way up to sixth place.
Meanwhile, Thomas of had the best qualifying run - 16.75 seconds - and started sixth. The Christiansburg driver got as high as third place before falling back to seventh.
Pennington finished eighth, the last car on the lead lap. Radford ended up ninth, one lap down.
THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: At New River Valley Speedway, there is two days worth of racing action. On Saturday night, it's the Wade's/Campbell Soups 200 with a 100-lap Late Model Stock feature and a special 35-Mini Stock race. Gates open at 2 p.m. and racing at 8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12-and-under.
On Sunday, it's the first Enduro race of the year - 100 laps or two hours, whichever comes first. Also there will be a 50-lap Pure Stock race and a 25-lap Mini Stock race. Gates open at 10 a.m. and racing at 2 p.m. Half price tickets - $5 - are available to those who have ticket stubs from Saturday's race.
THOU SHALL NOT LIE: Wayne Lawson ended up fourth in the Modified Mini Stock race
POWER TO THE P.A.: After an upgrade over the winter and fine-tuning during the early season, the public address system at NRVS is now functioning loudly and clearly.
The system now has 2,050 watts of power for the amplphiers - up from just 450 watts last year. Each section of the track is controlled by a separate amp that has its own indeppendent volume control.
The entire system has ben rewired with 14-gague wire to handle the extra power. All the speakers have been either replaced or recondtioned. And the remote microphone for track-side and pit interviews is the same type as used by performers in concert.
``I would dare say there is not a Saturday night Winston Racing track in the country with a state-of-the art sound system like we have here,'' said track announcer Art Boothe.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB