Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 22, 1995 TAG: 9504260045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Triplett also revealed for the first time some general information from NASCAR recent wind-tunnel tests, saying that all three makes - Fords, Chevys and Pontiacs - had advantages over the others.
``We expect something [to be changed] before Charlotte,'' Triplett said. Any changes probably will be instituted before The Winston Select on May 21 so NASCAR can ``see how it works'' in a non-points race, he said.
Although NASCAR wants a level playing field for the three makes, it is also concerned about keeping speed and costs down, Triplett said. Translation: There will be no significant body changes to any of the makes; it would be too costly and time-consuming.
``We hope to be able to do it with the spoiler,'' Triplett said. ``That's what we've been kicking around with some of the teams today to see how this would go over.''
The initial reaction was mixed.
``It's a disappointment if they do come out with a spoiler change because that paints a picture that Chevy has a superior car when they were given concessions in the rear bumper area before the season even started,'' said Ford spokesman Wayne Estes.
Countered Chevy's Ray Cooper: ``I just hope they can do enough [with the spoiler] to make a difference.''
As for the wind-tunnel tests, which NASCAR conducted on the three makes after the Darlington race last month, Triplett said, ``We saw numbers that showed that each car has an advantage somewhere.''
He said the Chevys had superior rear downforce in the corners, the Pontiacs had less drag on the straights and the Fords had more front downforce. ``And some of the numbers we looked at from the Ford Thunderbird suggested it should not be a bad Daytona/Talladega car,'' he said.
Triplett said he couldn't say which make had the biggest advantage. But it's doubtful NASCAR would be considering any changes if the Chevy Monte Carlos, which have won every race so far this year, didn't have the greatest advantage.
Triplett said NASCAR was satisfied with the wind-tunnel results and doesn't expect to have to do another such test.
WOOD BROTHERS MUSEUM: The State of Virginia, through its division of tourism, has allocated $400,000 in matching funds to help build the Wood Brothers Racing Museum and Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame in the Woods' hometown of Stuart, officials announced Friday in a press conference.
Some of the details are still uncertain, such as the total cost and the date construction will start. But officials hope to open the museum by the fall race here in 1996.
The $400,000 in state money is available as long as museum supporters can come up with an equal amount from private sources.
CHASSIS MAKER DIES: Ronnie Hopkins, 58, a longtime NASCAR chassis maker whose product is currently one of the most popular and successful chassis in the Winston Cup series, died Friday morning in South Carolina after battling cancer.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB