Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994 TAG: 9405190081
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And it couldn't have picked a better time to come out - the first 200-lap Late Model Stock Car race of the season.
The big race also brought a strong field to the track, including a couple of drivers who had not been at NRVS all year: Johnny Rumley and John Hall.
Rumley is also a threat whenever he arrives at the track. The North Carolina driver won two of last year's 200-lappers. He is second on the track's all-time win list with 27. And, he has been among the top five in points the last several seasons.
This year, Rumley has been busy trying to boost his Busch Grand National career. But that is on hold right now as yet another driver is being used in the White House Apple Juice Ford.
At the start, Rumley looked strong. He started on the outside pole and led the first lap. But pole-sitter Jeff Agnew retook the lead on lap 2 and Rumley started moving backward. Rumley managed to stay on the lead lap but mechanical problems finally put him out of the race with about 50 laps to go. He finished 18th.
Meanwhile, Hall of Rocky Mount took his car from the garage where he finished building it to the track. It was the first foray into Late Model for Hall, a veteran of the Mini Stock division at Franklin County Speedway.
Hall started 20th but soon was in the pits with problems. A flat tire finally put him out of the race after about 45 laps, the first car to retire in the 22-car field.
\ WINNERS BEWARE: Franklin County Speedway promoter Whitey Taylor has put up a $1,000 bounty this week if a General Motors or Chrysler product can beat Rodney "Six-Pack" Cundiff's Ford Thunderbird. Cundiff has won four consecutive Late Model races.
Meanwhile, the FCS custom of starting the previous week's division winner at the back of the pack is expanding as the Street Stock and Mini Stock divisions will implement the practice this week.
"I just think it makes for a better race," Taylor said.
The Pure Stock, Rookies and Any Car divisions have used the "winner to the back" line-up all season.
\ THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: At New River Valley Speedway Sunday, there will be twice as much fun with the Cook's Clean Centers/Agee's Auto Parts 250 as the Late Models will run a pair of 75-lap races.
Gates open at 10 a.m. with racing at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
At Franklin County Speedway, it's a regular racing night with the Kingery Brothers 300 featuring racing in six divisions. The feature race will be a 100-lapper for the Late Models.
Gates open at noon, qualifying starts at 6 and the green flag drops at 8. Tickets are $5 for adults. Children 10 and under are free.
by CNB