Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 21, 1994 TAG: 9405210056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CONCORD, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Sabates, who owns two of the five Pontiacs left on the Winston Cup circuit, said Wallace could have the money if he could get in a newly designed Grand Prix and lap the field in 50 laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The challenge was Sabates' response to Wallace's criticism this month of rules changes NASCAR is instituting in an attempt to make the 1994 Grand Prix competitive with Fords and Chevrolets. Pontiacs won 11 times last year on stock car racing's top series but are winless in 1994.
Wallace, who had 10 of Pontiac's 1993 victories, drives a Ford this year.
Wallace believes the NASCAR rules changes, which go into effect this weekend at Charlotte for the Winston Select all-star race, give Pontiacs too much of an advantage. The governing body is allowing the front and rear ends of Pontiacs to be lengthened, a change designed to create more traction and, consequently, more speed.
Wallace on May 10 responded to news of the change by saying: "If I couldn't lap the field in 50 laps at Charlotte with the new Pontiac, I would quit."
Sabates, a multimillionaire with various business interests, showed up at lunchtime Friday in the Charlotte speedway's media center, followed closely by an armored truck. Two hefty guards armed with handguns and draped in bulletproof vests lugged in a clear plastic bag containing $1 million worth of $100 bills.
Without smiling, the guards plunked the bag down on a stand beside stern-looking Sabates, who launched into a verbal attack of Wallace.
"Life is very short. We're only here for a short period of time. And when somebody maliciously tries to hurt somebody, yeah, it made me angry," Sabates said. "The statement that he made, it just wasn't very professional. So here's the $1 million. He can have it."
Sabates, saying he had the support of the fellow Pontiac owners, offered Wallace his choice of any Grand Prix in the garage area. Sabates also said Wallace could use a General Motors engine built by Rick Hendrick, long regarded as one of the best in the business.
A short time later, Wallace arrived at the 1.5-mile track for a practice session. He was repentant - but only slightly. And he made it clear he has no plans to accept Sabates' offer.
"Maybe I made too bold a statement," Wallace said. "But I feel pretty good about the superiority that car might have. It might not, but I believe it will."
Wallace went on to say that part of the controversy could be attributed to the usual pre-race hype at Charlotte, and he issued his own offer - of sorts - to Sabates.
"I would challenge Felix to a foot race around this place. And if I lapped him in 50 laps, I'd get the million," Wallace said. "But there's another part of the deal, and I've thought about this a lot. If, for some reason, I physically give out, Bobby Allison said he'll take over for me."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB