Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On the track, the racing was as competitive as ever, with the familiar faces of Jeff Agnew and Ronnie Thomas leading the way. Though the pair both enjoyed successful years, they took different paths in doing so.
For Thomas, whose 57 career victories make him the track's winningest driver, the year started out the way many others have, with complete domination. In the first four races, Thomas won three times and had one second place finish. Over that time the Christiansburg driver led 312 of a possible 412 laps.
The result of this overpowering performance was the decision by NASCAR officials to not allow Thomas to use a big carburetor. The so called ``Ronnie Rule'' went into effect, causing howls of protest from Thomas and his fans.
Smaller carburetor and all, Thomas was still the track kingpin. With two regular season races remaining, Thomas has won a division-high nine races.
Agnew captured his fourth track championship in eight years but by his lofty standards this season wasn't as satisfying as others. The Floyd driver, who says winning races interests him more than earning championship points, struggled for much of the year.
Agnew didn't win his first race until July 29 but he couldn't have picked a better one to win. It was the second televised race of the year and one that was hampered by rain.
Action on the track that night didn't begin until almost 11 p.m. but for Agnew it was worth the wait. He led all 250 laps and took home $5,000 for his efforts. The victory was the first of five in a row for Agnew.
Unfortunately, rain was one of the biggest stories during the second half of the year. Weather canceled action six times in all.
Rain couldn't cancel the Late Model Stock points race. For much of the year, a five-way race for the crown riveted the crowd. At length, Agnew prevailed.
Though Agnew won the title, Ray Young pushed him until the next to last race of the year. Young won only one race but he proved this season that he will be a force at the track for years to come.
With the addition of Ralph Winfield to his crew, Young soared in the second half of the season. In one seven-race period, Young won his only race and finished second six other times.
Two other drivers who made their presence felt this season were 's Phillip Morris and Tim Zock. Morris, who won his first race this season, is fourth in the standings and has consistently run near the front all year.
Zock, in his first full season of racing, proved to be very capable. The Winston-Salem, N.C., driver finished as high as third and qualified very well in the latter half of the season. As Zock continues to gain experience, he should begin contending in the very near future.
When discussing the best performances of 1995, don't forget Radford's Wayne Moore. Moore has won his last 10 races and 12 overall. He will win the Pure Stock division barring the unforeseen.
The strangest end to a race this year: the fog-out. A Limited Sportsman race ended because fog was so dense nobody could see. Hank Turman was declared the winner.
CORRECTION: It was incorrectly reported last week that Phillip Morris' intake had been sent to Daytona for closer inspection, after the Late Model race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
No part of Morris' car was sent to Daytona and he passed the post race inspection with no problems. Morris finished second in the 150-lap race.
Madison's Randy Taylor has won four races in the Pure Stock class.
Chris King covers racing and community sports for The Roanoke Times' New River Valley bureau.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB