Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410220034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: NORTH WILKESBORO, N. C. LENGTH: Medium
Dale Earnhardt's three older children, Dale Jr., Kerry and Kelly, all were competing against 75 other drivers to make it into the 32-car field for today's Lowe's 150 Late Model Stock Car race.
None of the Earnhardts qualified in the top 20 on Friday.
But Mike Dillon, who won the pole, is the son-in-law of Richard Childress, Earnhardt's car owner.
The fastest Earnhardt was Dale Jr., who was 33rd. Son Kerry was 36th fastest, while daughter Kelly struggled to 70th, which was ninth slowest.
All three of them will get another chance in today's second round of qualifying.
IRVAN GOES HOME: Driver Ernie Irvan was released from a hospital Friday, five weeks after he almost died following a wreck at Michigan International Speedway.
Irvan sustained life-threatening brain and lung injuries Aug. 20 in a crash during practice for the Goodwrench Dealer 400. He recuperated in a Michigan hospital before he was moved in mid-September to the Charlotte Rehabilitation Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center. He left Friday morning for his home in Concord, about 20 miles northeast of Charlotte, with his wife, said hospital spokesman Alan Taylor.
``He'll undergo some exercises at home, and he'll come back to the hospital three times a week for some therapy,'' Taylor said.
Irvan, 35, apparently plans to visit the garage area next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the Mello Yello 500 will be held Oct. 9.
WAITING, WAITING: There's still more questions than answers, more rumors than facts, in the 1994 ``Silly Season.''
First on the list of unresolved matters is Robert Yates Racing, and who will be driving the No.28 Ford Thunderbird.
Yates has told reporters he may be prepared to run two cars next year, so he can offer a full-year ride to a new driver and still have a car for injured Ernie Irvan if and when Irvan can drive again.
But Yates said Friday: ``We haven't planned anything yet. Maybe we'll listen to all of the news reports and figure out what to do.''
Yates currently has Kenny Wallace as a replacement driver for Irvan, but Wallace reportedly will move up to Winston Cup with his current Grand National team, Filmar Racing.
Dale Jarrett has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Yates car, but he said Friday, ``Nothing to it. Pure and simple.''
Brett Bodine still appears certain to take over for Bill Elliott in Junior Johnson's No. 11 Ford Thunderbird, with sponsorship from Lowe's, but no official announcement has been made. Jimmy Spencer, meanwhile, said his plans with Johnson are still ``up in the air.''
Another apparent deal has GN driver Ricky Craven going to the No. 41 Larry Hedrick Chevy, with Kodiak sponsorship. Joe Nemechek reportedly will field his own team.
by CNB