Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 10, 1995 TAG: 9506120059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LONG POND, PA. LENGTH: Medium
Schrader's lap of 163.375 mph in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo gave him his fifth career pole at this track, which is two more than anyone else.
But what he really wants, and needs, is a race victory. And he underscored that Friday when someone asked him what he thought about the $83,600 Unocal bonus he'll win if he captures the race from the top starting spot.
``I would pay $83,000 to win this race,'' he said. ``It's just been way too long without a win. We've just had too many good runs where something has happened.''
Schrader's last victory - 120 races ago - came at Dover four years ago last week.
``Hopefully, this will be the start of a bunch of good stuff,'' Schrader said. ``But I ain't holdin' my breath. We've had too much happen.
``I think a lot of people think I'm just really happy racing in Winston Cup, which I am,'' he said. ``But that ain't enough. I want to win races. The only difference is I'm not going to let it drive me completely crazy, because it's stuff I cannot control.''
Mark Martin won the outside pole in a Ford Thunderbird with a lap of 163.250 mph, while Bobby Hamilton put his Pontiac Grand Prix in the third starting spot with a lap of 162.955 mph. Ricky Rudd was fourth fastest in a Ford at 162.805 mph, while Jeff Gordon was fifth in a Chevy at 162.484 mph.
Martin had the top spot for most of the qualifying session, but Schrader bumped him off late in the afternoon.
``He always does that here,'' Martin said. ``He can qualify at this place better than anybody I know. Schrader is just awesome here.''
But Schrader didn't think so, at least during his lap.
``We always talk on the radio while qualifying,'' Schrader said, ``And as I came off the last turn, I told 'em, `It's decent, guys, but it's not good enough.'
``But as I went past the start-finish line, [crew chief] Ken Howes said, `Yes, it is.'''
Schrader, explaining why he didn't think his lap had won the pole, said: ``This is a place where you can absolutely thrill yourself qualifying. I didn't thrill myself as much as I usually do here.''
Schrader lost the top of his left thumb in a garage mishap last month, but he said it isn't bothering him. ``It's just a little short,'' he said. ``It's no problem. It's an inconvenience. It's hard to tie your shoes.''
Only 43 cars attempted to qualify, and the slowest of those, Doug French, was almost five mph slower than the second-slowest, Chuck Bown. So it does not appear that any regulars will fail to qualify for the race during the second round of time trials at 11:30 a.m. today.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB