Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 19, 1995 TAG: 9506200069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
"I went to an acupuncturist," the Roanoke Late Model driver said jokingly, referring to the method Thomas said he used for his late-race pass for a win last week.
But this time, McGuire's preparations and concentration enabled him to win the feature event in the Shelor Chevrolet 200 at New River Valley Speedway.
With Thomas in his rearview mirror, McGuire never flinched - even when the race turned into a two-lap dash after a late-race caution extended the race to 104 laps.
``I didn't look [back],'' said McGuire, who won for the second time this season and seventh in his career at NRVS. ``What I had to take care of was straight ahead. I didn't care what was behind me.''
On those final two laps, Thomas looked for an opening to make a pass but couldn't find one.
``If we could have gotten past him, we would have been gone,'' said Thomas. ``We were getting into the turn better than him and we were coming out better. He was just doing what he had to do [to win]. I raced him clean - maybe too clean. I just hope he remembers that when the shoe is on the other foot sometime.''
McGuire started from the pole and led every lap in his Chevrolet Camaro.
``We just had a real good car,'' said McGuire. ``The track was slick at the end. It seemed like someone was leaking something the last 25 laps. But we hung on for the win.''
Christiansburg's Thomas finished second in his Dodge. Jeff Agnew of Floyd was third in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Phillip Morris of Ruckersville was fourth in a Chevy Camaro and Tink Reedy of Roanoke was fifth.
Junior Leagans of Max Meadows started from the pole and led all 35 laps to win his third Limited Sportsman race. Bruce Brown of Rocky Mount finished second, about one second behind. North Carolinian Stuart Taylor held off Christiansburg's Terry Lawson for third.
Timothy Peters, the 14-year-old driver from Providence, N.C., made it 2-for-2 in Legends races at New River. He outdueled Bobby Decola of Burnsville, N.C., in the 25-lap event. Royce Peters of Kingsport, Tenn., was third.
Ray Sowers of Floyd inherited the top spot when the leaders were involved in a spin on lap 24 and went on to win the Mini Stock race. It was Sowers' third victory but his first since mid-April. Tommy Cline of Salem was second and Ken Moxley of Rural Retreat third. The race had to be extended to 32 laps because of a series of late-race cautions.
Randy Taylor of Madison inherited the lead on lap 12 and went on to win the 25-lap Pure Stock race for the second straight week. Ronnie Vaught of Pearisburg was second and Brian Peoples of Marion third.
Jeff French of Bedford captured top honors Sunday afternoon in WKA kart racing action. French took the first of two checkered flags in the Limited Modified division and came back for a repeat performance in the Briggs Modified class.
Courtney Krantz of Bedford edged Jason Lawrence of Floyd and John Hughes of Radford in the Stock Light class, while Chris Cook of Radford beat Scott Agee of Dublin in the Junior Restricted race.
Jimmy Arthur of Bedford won the Stock Medium checkers ahead of Berkley Moore of Boones Mill and Don McGraw of Wytheville. Peters returned to his racing roots and scored a win in the Junior Stock feature. Jamie Sweeney of Floyd was second and Brad Shelton of Pulaski finished third.
Moore came back to win the Stock Heavy event, beating Richard Burnette of Hillsville and David Bain of Radford.
by CNB