Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 8, 1995 TAG: 9505080111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Ronnie Thomas went too far with his adjustments and it ended up costing him.
The result was a victory for Ritch and an early exit for Thomas in the 100-lap Late Model feature of the Wendy's/Eagle Country 107-PSK 200 at New River Valley Speedway.
Despite having to use a smaller carburetor in his Dodge (a 350 CMF - the same size used by General Motor cars) than he had been using (a 500/350 CMF - which Ford and Chrysler products are permitted to use) as part of a track experiment designed to make competition closer, Thomas won the pole. He then led the first 46 laps. But after about 30 laps, Thomas' car became difficult to handle because his setup was too loose.
Meanwhile, Ritch moved into second place on lap 29 and slowly started to move toward the front. He pulled even with Thomas on lap 44 and three laps later edged into the lead.
``Ronnie seemed to get loose and our car was right - it was a bullet,'' said Ritch, who won for the first time this season. ``The last couple of weeks, we've been off. But we made some adjustments [tire stagger and springs] and they finally paid off.''
Meanwhile, Thomas had a fight on his hands with the Pontiac of Bassett's Ray Young for second place. They battled for about four laps until traffic came into play.
As the pair came into turn 4, the lapped car of Harvey Harrison moved up the track. Harrison bumped Young, who then bumped Thomas. Thomas spun and was hit by Rodney Cundiff who spun while trying to slow down to avoid Thomas.
``It's racing - when cars run this close together, you can't help but get together every once in awhile,'' said Thomas, who was knocked out of the race with substantial damage to the front of his Dodge.
After the accident, Young took over second place and stayed there. He tried to challenge Ritch during the final laps, but never could.
``If I paced myself, I could stay with him,'' Young said. ``But the last 10 laps, I tried to do things [to catch up] and I wore the car out.''
Completing the top five were Roanoke's Tim McGuire, Floyd's Jeff Agnew and Ruckersville's Philip Morris, all in Chevrolets.
Pole-sitter Bruce Brown of Rocky Mount inherited the lead on lap 17 and led the rest of the way in the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race. It was Brown's second consecutive victory. Hank Turman of Indian Valley was second, Wilton Cromer of Christiansburg was third and Rob Fain of Blacksburg fourth.
Wayne Moore of Radford took the lead on lap 18 to win his second consecutive 25-lap Mini Stock race. Pilot's Kevin Light was awarded second and Galax's Randy Bell third after apparent race runner-up Ken Moxley of Rural Retreat was disqualified for having an illegal carburetor.
Tommy Allie of Christiansburg moved into the lead on lap 11 and went on to win his second consecutive 25-lap Pure Stock race. Dean Young of Radford was second and Tony Rogers of Cloverdale third.
Tim Maiden of Salem held off Jimmy Hinkley of Christiansburg on the last lap to win the 25-lap Modified Mini Stock race. K.J. Bishop of Riner was third.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB