ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604150019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: RACING
DATELINE: ROANOKE
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Roanoke County resident Shelby Cundiff might be the woman who has it all. She has a good job, a loving husband and daughter, numerous friends and a race car.
That's right, a race car.
Cundiff, the pilot of the George Sullivan-owned No.00 Goad's Body Shop Monte Carlo, is continuing the pursuit of a lifelong dream in today's New River Valley Speedway 100-lap Enduro class race - to be a stock-car driver.
"I used to go to races with my husband all the time and I was a big NASCAR fan," Cundiff said. "Racing was just something that I really wanted to give a try. I told my husband, Wilbur, one day that I really wanted to do it, but he thought I was just talking off the top of my head.
"I just kept bugging him until finally he gave in. He told me that if I could find a cheap car then we'd give it a go. I figured that since my husband finally agreed to it, I had better find a car and quick, before he changed his mind."
Cundiff made a few phone calls and discovered a driver at Natural Bridge Speedway was selling an old dirt track car. To Cundiff, it sounded like a perfect opportunity to get her dream rolling.
"We went to look at the car and ended up paying a couple hundred dollars for it," Cundiff said. "It was dark when we were looking at it, but we could tell there wasn't a piece of straight sheet metal on it. But I just had to have it and my husband gave in. To be honest, the car looked like one of those cars high school kids pay a dollar to take a swing at with a sledgehammer."
Following the necessary repairs and alterations, made by her husband and crew chief Don Altice, Cundiff began racing her newly purchased car in October 1987 at Franklin County Speedway. From her first moments on the track, she knew racing was for her. It just took a little longer to convince others.
"My mother is still nervous about me racing," Cundiff said. "She still hasn't ever seen me race. My husband just says as long as the life insurance bills are paid up, he's OK."
Another group Cundiff has worked hard to impress is the drivers she competes against on a weekly basis. In a traditionally male-dominated sport, Cundiff has had to work diligently to prove herself a competitive driver, and not a token female racer.
"In 1990, I was runner-up to the Mini Stock track champion at Franklin County and that was a big accomplishment for me," Cundiff said. "I think that may have shown some people I belong out there.
"For the most part, the other drivers have been really helpful. There were some that were really protective of me and would watch out for people trying to wreck me, but then there were a few that would do anything to put me out of a race because I was a woman. But it doesn't bother me. I figure if I'm going to be out there, I've got to be able to take it as well as give it. I've never tried to act like I was any different because I'm a woman. I just want to compete on even ground."
This season Cundiff will be proving her mettle in a different division, the NRV Speedway's Enduro class. The Enduro class, entering its third season at the speedway, is billed as a return to the sport's grass roots, as well as the most affordable option for aspiring drivers. Enduro cars must be stock automobiles manufactured from 1965-91, excluding Chevrolet Camaros, Pontiac Firebirds and Ford Mustangs.
"I'm excited to be racing in the Enduro class, but I also have a little apprehension," Cundiff said. "First of all, I haven't seen an Enduro race yet. They ran the class four times last year, and it just so happened those were the weeks I couldn't be at the track. Also, I've been practicing in a smaller car and I haven't gotten any track time in the Monte Carlo yet. We're planning on practicing Friday at New River."
Despite her lack of familiarity with the division or the ride, Cundiff is eagerly awaiting her first race of the '96 season.
"I just can't wait. I've been looking forward to this race for a while. I'm going to get out there and go for it. It'll be a lot of fun."
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Shelby Cundiff is eagerly awaiting her first race of theby CNB'96 season. color. KEYWORDS: AUTO RACING