Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506210106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup season has been profoundly disappointing for Dale Jarrett and his crew chief, Larry McReynolds.
What seemed like a golden opportunity for Jarrett - taking over one of the finest NASCAR rides from injured Ernie Irvan - has turned into something close to a nightmare.
But all of the problems on the track pale in comparison to the emotions sweeping through McReynolds as he tries to steer a struggling team toward success while tending to his terminally ill mother, Mary, who is 67.
McReynolds, in the frank and open manner that has characterized the team's response to its many previous difficulties, spoke eloquently about his burdens in a teleconference Tuesday.
``I'm going through a really tough deal, and it feels like the least important thing is that this racing season is not going like I want it to,'' he said. ``My mom is fighting a really terrible bout with liver cancer. I was told yesterday she probably has only one or two weeks to live.
``It's tough for me to stay upbeat with that going on in my life, but I had a really good role model who went through a lot of tragedy and adversity and still had a way to be determined. That was Davey Allison.
``I'm going to really work hard the next few weeks to remember Davey and the things he would always do and live by.
``Maybe it would be easier if this season was going good. I can't believe it would be easier, knowing that my mom was going to die in a short period. I just spent some time with her. I fed her when she was hungry and gave her something to drink when she was thirsty. I'm just trying to spend as much quality time with her as I can.
``Robert [Yates, his car owner,] said, `Larry, this race team will be here. You only have one mom.' But at the same time, I've got 30 guys looking at me wondering, `OK, what are we going to do next? Where are we going?'
``So I've got to really walk the fence for the next two or three weeks or month or so.''
McReynolds said 1995 ``has been probably one of the most disappointing seasons I've experienced in a long time,'' adding ``luck has killed us.''
Jarrett, who is 17th in the Winston Cup points standings, finished sixth at Michigan, his best run in almost three months. He still hasn't finished better than fifth all year. Meanwhile, Irvan is working hard to prepare for his comeback from a crash in 1994 that damaged his left eye.
McReynolds said Irvan ``certainly has been a part of some of our decision-making, but probably not as much as some people think. But I'm not going to tell you it's a bed of roses walking the path of a Winston Cup season with a driver who's driving hard and a driver who's working hard to get back in the car.
``Dale has been a prince of a guy through the whole deal. Let's face it, Dale has been in a pretty tough situation. He came in with high expectations and for a lot of reasons that [success] hasn't happened.
``When he came here, he left a ride that he probably could have had for the rest of his career knowing he probably would be here only one year. There's a lot of people who want to get this program turned around, but the one I really want to get it turned around for is Dale Jarrett. I want to see him leave here a winner.''
In other racing news, Charlotte Motor Speedway President Bruton Smith announced his Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which also owns Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., and is building a track in Texas, has purchased a 50 percent share of all the outstanding stock in North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway from former shareholder Jack Combs and his relatives.
``We're in the race speedway business and that's why we bought an interest,'' Smith said in a statement.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB