Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994 TAG: 9405100008
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV PAGE: 23 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In less than that short span of time, the fastest cars at New River Valley Speedway make one lap around the 0.416-mile oval just off U.S. 11 in Pulaski County.
That's an average speed of more than 90 mph for these high-tech racing machines that look like cars found in the family driveway. But the average family car slides around the track and tries to spin when driven at interstate speeds - 65 mph - by a experienced professional driver.
And every weekend from now through the middle of September, stock car drivers will see how fast they can go in a straight line and while turning left at the NASCAR-sanctioned track.
"It's family entertainment and exciting racing," said track promoter and co-owner Ronnie Snoddy, noting that the combination of drivers, fans and sponsors make it all possible.
"So far this season [through the first three races], 23 Late Models is the smallest field we've had. That's a good number. Plus there are 10 to 12 guys who can win on any given night, and that's a lot."
Through the early part of the season, the track is averaging nearly 85 cars in the five classes each Saturday night: close to 25 Late Model Stock Cars, 20 Limited Sportsman cars, 15 Pure Stocks, 15 Mini Stocks and 10 Modified Mini Stocks.
The top class - the Late Models - is the most popular. It features three former track champions. Floyd's Jeff Agnew won the title in 1991 and 1992. He also is one of the track's most popular drivers.
Tim McGuire of Roanoke won the championship in 1988, the first year the facility was open. Since then, McGuire has gained recognition as the track reporter for WSLS Channel 10. This will be McGuire's first full season at NRVS since that championship season.
Then there is Ronnie Thomas of Christiansburg, the top driver in 1990. A former Winston Cup Rookie of the Year (1978), Thomas is the driver fans love to boo but sometimes have to cheer.
Of course the list of prominent drivers doesn't end there. Mike Dillon of North Carolina and Ray Young of Bassett are the last two Rookies of the Year in the division. Tink Reedy of Salem, Kenny Prillaman of Salem and Frankie Pennington of Lexington are all race winners from last season who have returned.
And the field has been bolstered by the addition of Dicky Wilson of Salem and Tony McGuire of Roanoke, who ran at Franklin County last season, and by Kelly Denton of Bristol, Randy Ratliff of Grundy and Darrell Holman of Abingdon, who raced at Lonesome Pine in 1993, although Denton is sort of a returnee, since he ran the last half of last year at NRVS.
The other divisions have their own personalities. In the Limited Sportsman division, there is Mark Akers of Narrows, the 1990 Street Stock champ (the class that became the Limiteds). Two Christiansburg drivers, Bo Howell and Charlie Miles, are always in contention. And North Carolinian Rock Harris has learned from his rookie season on asphalt to become a dominant force within the division.
In the Pure Stocks, two drivers better known by their nicknames, Mike "Monk" Marion of Radford and Davis "Ducky" Phillips of Plum Creek, along with Newport's Aaron Deplazes and Pearisburg's Ronnie Vaught keep things interesting.
In the Mini Stocks, Radford drivers Gene Duncan and Kevin Kenley are among the fastest competitors. And everyone has to watch out for Salem's Jay McCray and Pilot's Kevin Light.
And in the Modified Mini Stocks, two-time defending champion Charlie Smith of Dublin plans to drive some Goody's Dash races. That leaves things open for exciting racing between a trio of drivers from Max Meadows: Ricky Jefferson, Dale Sutphin and Eddie Rankin. And Tony Howell of Christiansburg could be a force to be reckoned with later in the year.
The track has even more to offer this season than last. Like last year, there are four 200-lap Late Model races and the Dash Series returns. But there also are three twin 75-lap LMSC races and a twin 100-lapper that will be broadcast live by WDBJ Channel 7. And the second annual post-season Southwest Virginia Chevy Dealers Shootout - a 250-lap Late Model race in October - promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural event.
The other classes also will have a few longer races, something they didn't have a year ago.
And there will be a new type of races - Enduros - for the nonprofessional driver who wants to get a taste of the excitement of track competition.
"The track is still growing," said Morris Stephenson, the public relations director who has been associated with the track since before it opened. "It's growing in the number of cars, number of competitors and the quality of competition."
Saturdays, the track gates open at 2 p.m., practice begins at 4, qualifying at 6:15 and racing at 8.
The Sunday regular races and the post-season Saturday race will begin at 3 p.m. The Enduros get under way at 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets for regular season and Enduro races are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB