Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509180142
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TOM HIGGINS CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
DATELINE: DOVER, DEL. LENGTH: Medium
NASCAR Grand National official Fred Sharples of Canada and Ormond Beach, Fla., suffered the worst injuries, what doctors initially called ``extensive burns'' to the face, arms, hands and left leg. He originally was listed in critical condition, but was upgraded to stable.
The fire blazed in the pit area of driver Doug Heveron when gas spilled onto a hot brake rotor during a stop for service on the 80th of 200 laps.
Crewman Patrick Beckley of Spartanburg, S.C., a member of the Mike Laughlin-owned team, was first listed in serious condition with face burns, but was changed to stable. Crewman Terry Hunsinger, also of Spartanburg, was in good condition with second-degree burns to the hands and forearms.
Rumley, driving a Chevrolet owned by Don Beverly, took on only fuel in a pit stop during the final caution period Laps 187-192.
This put Rumley, a former regular at New River Valley Speedway in Radford, back on the track ahead of rivals who took on fresh tires, and Rumley outran them in an eight-lap dash to the checkered flag after the green light came on. He finished .79 seconds ahead of runner-up Hermie Sadler, who held off onrushing Phil Parsons in a battle of Chevy drivers.
Rumley led only the final 11 laps.
``People have said I'm afraid of these big speedways and can't drive on them,'' he said after his second Grand National victory, and first on a track a mile or more in length. ``I'm not afraid, and I hope this shows it.''
His first victory was at Hickory Motor Speedway in 1993.
``I'm not a big smiler and usually don't get too emotional about races,'' Rumley said. ``But I had tears in my eyes at the end of the race. I was thinking about my wife and family, who have given up a lot for me to go racing.
``I'm a roofer by trade back home in Winston-Salem (N.C.). My goal is to give up that job and be a full-time racer. I'd like not being a roofer anymore.''
Rumley, who had failed to qualify for a 250-lap Grand National race the previous weekend at Richmond, averaged 108.975 mph and earned $23,174.
In the chase for the Grand National championship, Johnny Benson finished ninth to Chad Little's 13th. Benson's lead toward the title would is a commanding 220 points with three of the season's 26 races remaining.
SHEPHERD LEAVING WOODS: In a Winston Cup Series development, the Woods Brothers Racing team and driver Morgan Shepherd will end their association at the end of this season.
Shepherd has been with the team four seasons, scoring a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1993.
The apparent top choice to succeed Shepherd is Hut Stricklin, now with the Kenny Bernstein-owned team. Shepherd is thought to be headed to another established ride.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB