Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995                   TAG: 9506010043
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SPEEDWAY LOSES ONE NIGHT OF RACING, GAINS ANOTHER

While the planned events at the track were rained out for the second time in three weeks, Ronnie Snoddy, the track's co-owner and promoter, announced that NRVS is in the process of finalizing a deal to host two Hooters Racing Series events on September 16th and 17th.

The HRS is a traveling series which has 20 point paying races. There are two classes, Late Model and the open-wheeled Formula 2,000, both of which will race at NRVS. The drivers will be competing for $90,000 in prize money.

The Hooters series will the fourth different class of cars (the Mid-Atlantic Modified, Legends and WKA Go-Kart series were the others) to race at NRVS, in addition to the five weekly classes, this season.

In addition to the 100-lap HRS races it appears likely that the there will also be a 50-lap pure stock race, according to Snoddy.

The rainout of Saturday's Budweiser 200 proved to be a frustrating ordeal for all involved. While it seemed to be raining everywhere, there was nary a drop at NRVS until 5:40 p.m., raising everyone's hopes that there would be racing.

After a drizzle canceled qualifying, the track was dried and once again it appeared as if the evening's events would go on as planned. At approxmately 8 p.m., the heavens opened up and erased any doubt. Though there is only one make-up date on the NRVS schedule, and two races have already been canceled, Snoddy said the Late Model races will be made up.

Later in the season, there will likely be twin 100-lap late model races to compensate for the canceled events. In the event of twin races, both will count toward the track and Mid-Atlantic point standings.

CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: The battle for the track championship is a hotly contested one, with three drivers within 16 points of the lead, and six drivers who still have a realistic shot at the title.

Michael Ritch, who has won the last two races, has taken over the lead with 308 points. Ritch's closest pursurers are 1988 track champion Tim McGuire, with 294 points, and Ray Young who has accumulated 292 points. Neither McGuire or Young has captured a race this season.

While the aforementioned pair may pose the more immediate threat to Ritch's supremacy, his most serious competition could come from the people who currently occupy positions four through six. That group includes three-time track champion Jeff Agnew, who resides in fourth place, Tony McGuire and Ronnie Thomas, the 1990 track champion.

Agnew has made adjustments to his car that he hopes will prevent the springs in the rear end from overheating and collapsing. When the springs collapse, it prevents the car from handling properly in the corners.

"Thats just racing,'' said Agnew of the early season problems that have denied him a trip to victory lane. "Last year we caught every break there was to be caught at the beginning of the year. But right now we have the car running pretty good.''

As for Thomas, he was the track's dominant force for the first month, capturing three of the first four races. After NASCAR made changes that affected Thomas' carburetor, he has struggled, finishing 21st and 24th in the last two races. While the changes have undoubtedly slowed Thomas' car, his biggest foe has been bad luck.

The 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year has been involved in skirmishes with Rodney Cundiff in the last two races.

"Last week was uncalled,'' said Thomas, of the wreck that took him out of the televised 250-lap race. "We all do our bumping, but you can't take it over the limit. I'm not complaining though, because we had a lot of good luck the first couple of weeks.''

ELK CREEK UPDATE: Pulaski's Dennis Jackson drove his 1967 Corvette to a victory in the Pro Class at Elk Creek Dragway May 20. Rusty Jackson, also of Pulaski, drove Dennis Jackson's 1995 Firebird to a semifinal appearance at the 1/8 of a mile track.

Dublin's Billy Kincer defeated his father, Ellis Kincer, enroute to a second place finish in the Trophy Class.

GRANDSTANDING: There will be a practice session at NRVS on Thursday. The gates will open at 3 p.m. and practice will last from 4-8. Grandstand admission is free.

THIS WEEK AT NRVS: This Saturday will be the Cloud's Clothing/Jordan Oil-Marathon 200. The night's events will feature a 100-lap Late Model race and the 100-lap Shriners Enduro.

The Limited, Mini and Pure stock classes will be racing as well. The long awaited Pennzoil Go-Kart Give-Away will also come to pass this weekend.

Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Practice starts a 3:30, and qualifying will commence at 6. Racing action starts at 8. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING