Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220060
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
After that, these two race cars are different, and that means they can do different things on the track.
"A Chrysler makes more horsepower with a 500/350 [large] carburetor than a Chevy, about 25 more," explained Christiansburg Late Model driver Ronnie Thomas. "But they [Chryslers] make less torque than a Chevrolet. And torque is what helps off the corners. The difference is 400 foot-pounds to 380 foot-pounds."
If anyone knows what different cars can and cannot do at New River Valley Speedway, it is Thomas. After all, he has won more Late Model races at the track than any other driver (48). And he has won in every type of car - GM (Chevrolet, Buick), Mopar (Chrysler), and Ford.
Thomas is careful to point out that different rules help and hurt the make of car. After all, he has a new Dodge and a rebuilt Pontiac in his shop.
All the cars use the same length rod - 6.250 inches. Thomas interpreted this as an advantage for Chevrolets because their stock rod is much shorter than those found in Chryslers (6.125 vs. 5.700). The Chevies have a lighter crank shaft (48 pounds vs. 54 pounds), and the Chevrolet engine is 62 pounds lighter and is not as tall. That hurts the Chrysler's handling in the corners.
However, there are some rules that help Chryslers. The car's engines can be set 3 inches farther back. And, most importantly, a large carburetor can be used - if they carry 50 pounds more weight.
The large carburetor has an air-intake that is about one-eighth of an inch larger in circumference at the top. The opening can handle 500 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm). But at the bottom, it is the same size as the normal carburetor - 350 cfm. In between, it is tapered as the size of the air chamber slowly narrows.
Last season, the carburetion-and-weight rules were controversial early in the season as NASCAR changed the rules several times in the first six weeks of racing. This year, the rules should be less troublesome.
NASCAR has specified the two options for Chryslers and Fords. And it has given the tracks the option of changing the rules to keep things competitive - or staying with the original options of 50 extra pounds and the large carburetor or 50 fewer pounds and the normal carburetor if NASCAR changes its rules.
Track officials at NRVS have indicated they do not intend to change the weight-and-carburetion rules. However, they are quick to add that they do not intend to let any car dominate because of these rules, either.
Thomas said the assurances he has received from NRVS was the reason he built the Dodge Daytona. Last year, he started with a Chrysler but the constant changes wore out the chassis. Thomas eventually switched to a Buick late in the season. That car - now a Pontiac Grand Prix - is still around, too.
MORE ON RT: Thomas decided on a Dodge because it represented something he had never built and raced.
"I've won Fords, Chevies, Chryslers," said Thomas. "But I've never won in a Chrysler that I've built. I've built Fords and Chevies [that I've won in]. And I've won in a Chrysler that someone else built."
Also, this may finally be the year that Thomas calls it quits as Late Model regular.
"What I am saying is that I am going to cut back," said Thomas. "I'm not saying I won't be racing Late Models."
Thomas said he might race six to eight big races in 1996. He added that he feels tired - but he is not sure if it is racing in general or racing Late Models in particular. He has not decided on what to do when he cuts back on his racing schedule.
Another reason Thomas decided to race a full slate this season was his disappointing 1994 campaign in which he won just twice at NRVS.
MORE ON RULES: The entire general rules section of the NRVS rule book has been rewritten for the 1995 racing season.
"We went through several other rule books, we went through their general rules sections, from places all across the country," said Lynn Carroll, the chief steward at NRVS. "We saw what they had and changed what needed to be changed."
The general rules now comprise five sections: general rules; benefits and insurance; general policy; protest, inspection and appeals; and a disclaimer. The biggest change comes in the latter section, where the track reserves the option "to do whatever is necessary to keep all classes competitive."
Also, specific rules on the car bodies have been developed, rules that racing teams wanted.
"To be honest, this is something they asked for," explained Carroll. "They wanted something in black and white. If you can read a tape measure, you can build a car to the rules."
SCHEDULING STUFF: No driver wants to be foolish on April Fool's Day this year, the first practice of 1995 at NRVS from noon to 5 p.m.
Racing gets under way one week later, April 8, with a full slate of racing and a 100-lapper for the Late Models.
April 15 is the beginning of points season for several series. The Late Models begin their battle for Winston Racing Series Mid-Atlantic Region points. And the Legends cars make their first appearance at NRVS in a race that carries Tri-State and Quad-State regional points.
There is some business to attend to before NRVS opens, though.
Martinsville Speedway has its first practice for the Miller Genuine Draft 300 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
The second practice for the March 18-19 race weekend is March 8. The Wednesday session was designed to give Busch Grand National drivers, who may want to enter the $25,000 to win Late Model race, a chance to test their cars.
Tickets for the Martinsville weekend cost $15 and can be purchased by calling (703) 956-3151. The first 1,000 adult tickets purchased will include a free T-shirt commemorating the event.
On March 25 - the week after Martinsville and the week before the first NRVS practice - the track's annual car show will be held at the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg.
And March 4 is the Racers' Auction and Parts Sale at the Radford Auto Auction. Admission is $5. For information, call 639-9011.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB