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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 7, 1995                   TAG: 9506070027
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WEATHER IS THE BIGGEST COMPETITOR FOR NRVS DRIVERS

The three rainouts in four weeks have played havoc with the hopes of the NRVS drivers in the Winston Racing Series.

No track competitor was in the top 50 in the Mid-Atlantic Region in points entering last week - and that was before the latest rainout. At the same time, the other 11 tracks in the region each had at least two drivers in the top 50.

Elliott Sadler of South Boston Speedway is the points leader. Some familiar names in the top 50 included Danny Willis (South Boston) in 23rd, Stacy Compton (South Boston) in 24th, Kelly Denton (Lonesome Pine) in 26th and Mike Porter (Lonesome Pine) in 27th.

NRVS drivers will get a chance to catch up later in the season. The track is expected to schedule twin Late Model races to make up the WRS points races.

At least one driver, though, is taking matters into his own hands. Bassett's Ray Young doesn't have a no-rain dance, but he does have a backup car to take to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., on Friday nights. That's the same track where Rick Sigmon of Rocky Mount started some races earlier in the season - which is why Sigmon has been as high as any NRVS driver in the Mid-Atlantic points this season.

Meanwhile, for many drivers, it's take the car home and hope for better weather next week.

At least the track is getting closer to beating the weather.

On May 6, the rain came before practice ever started and the race was called at about 4 p.m. On May 27, the cars got to practice but it started raining when time for qualifying rolled around and the race was called off about 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, the cars practiced, qualified and the Mini Stocks and Limited Sportsmans raced - although the Limiteds had a two-hour rain delay. Finally, at nearly 11:30 p.m., the night was called, half an hour after rain showers returned for a second time.

PROUD PAPA: Barry Williams had the point lead in the Pure Stocks to think about protecting Saturday. But he also had something much more important on his mind. The Pembroke driver's daughter, Kelly, was graduating from Giles High School.

After checking with the track and the school, Williams set his schedule. He qualified for the race, putting his car fourth in the starting grid. Then Williams headed to Pearisburg for the commencement.

The rain, though, made all of Williams' planning unnecessary as the Pure Stock race was washed out.

READY TO RUN: When Kevin Kenley won on his first trip to the race track this season, one person who wasn't too surprised was Kenley.

``To win, I was [surprised] a little bit,'' said Kenley, who hadn't raced because he had been busy with business. ``But to do well, no. This was a good car last year. So we knew it was a good car when we unloaded it.''

Last year, Kenley was sixth in the points while winning once - the season-opening race. And Kenley's return strengthens a division that has averaged more than 20 cars per race and already has seen four different winners in six races.

GOING DASHING: Because of rainouts and their part-time status this year, the Modified Mini Stocks haven't had a race since May 6.

But for Dublin's Charlie Smith, the off-date last Saturday became a travel day. Smith went to the Goody's Dash race at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The purpose for the trip was to meet with his engine builder. Smith's new, more-powerful motor won't be ready until early to mid-July.

Smith has made a few Dash series starts the past couple of years. And even though he won't have his new engine yet, Smith plans to race June 23 at Bristol (Tenn.) International Raceway.

``We'll go down there and play around and see if we can make the field,'' said Smith. ``And it's on a Friday, so that's good for us.''

The Friday race is especially good since the Mod Minis run a midseason double-points race at NRVS on June 24. And Smith, the 1992 and 1993 track champ in the division, sits third in the points standings.

THIS WEEK AT NRVS: The five regular classes will run for the first time in a month for the Hoechst Celanese 200.

The feature is the 100-lap race for the Late Model Stock Cars. Also scheduled is a 35-lap Limited Sportsman race and 25-lappers for the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks and Modified Minis.

Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.

Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Practice begins at 3:30. Qualifying gets under way at 6. And the green flag drops at 8.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING