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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1995                   TAG: 9509130051
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DRIVERS KEEP TRUCKIN' TO MARTINSVILLE RACE

The NASCAR SuperTruck Series continues to pick up popularity and drivers as it nears the end of its inaugural season.

At least three drivers will make their SuperTruck debuts in the next race - Sept.23 at Martinsville Speedway.

Barry Bodine, the oldest son of Winston Cup regular Geoff Bodine, and Winston Cup driver Kenny Wallace will attempt to make the field for the Goody's 150. Abingdon-based Morgan-McClure Racing, owner of Sterling Marlin's Winston Cup car, also will place a truck in the field but has yet to name a driver.

``It looks like we'll have at least 40 trucks,'' said Owen Kearns, the SuperTruck media coordinator. ``We had 42 at Richmond [last Thursday], and we had to send four home [after qualifying]. We'll probably send home the same amount at Martinsville.''

Other Winston Cup regulars entered for the Goody's 150 are Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine and Todd Bodine. Waltrip has won 11 Winston Cup races at Martinsville, and Geoff Bodine has won four.

It has been speculated that Ernie Irvan, out of Winston Cup racing for the past year while recovering from serious injuries, might make his return to racing in the Goody's 150. He will reveal his racing plans at a Sept.19 news conference in Charlotte, N.C.

From the Busch Grand National circuit, drivers Hermie Sadler and Johnny Benson are entered in the Goody's 150.

Mike Skinner leads the SuperTruck points standings by 51 over Joe Ruttman. Ron Hornaday Jr. is 141 behind Skinner.

With the SuperTruck race as a prelude to the Sept.24 Goody's 500 Winston Cup race, Kearns said he expects a sizable crowd at the half-mile, low-banked Martinsville Speedway. More than 38,000 attended the truck race in Richmond, which tied the Phoenix race for the largest crowd of the season.

Tickets for the Goody's 150 are $20 each, with all seats unreserved. Reserved-seat tickets for the Goody's 500 still are available for $35 and $40 apiece.

Tickets to the Winston Cup and SuperTruck qualifying rounds on Sept.22 are $10.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB