ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996 TAG: 9604160089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON
First it was well water. Now it's rain water.
One week after having his season opener postponed because of untested well water, Franklin County Speedway owner Whitey Taylor is involved in another pickle because of water.
During Saturday's opener at the track in Callaway, rain halted the Late Model Stock race after 39 laps. After conferring with the drivers, Taylor declared the race official and Dudley Lawhorn the winner.
However, before the Late Model race began, several fans left the track because of the rainy conditions, and they were told rain checks would be honored if the Late Model race was not held.
Despite the race being official, Taylor said he received nearly 100 phone calls Monday from disgruntled fans who were not happy that their rain checks would not be honored.
Enough phone calls made Taylor have a change of heart, and he will honor the rain checks at any remaining race this season. And the Late Model race will be finished on Saturday, starting with lap 40 in the order the drivers finished last Saturday.
``Every time the word water comes up, I'm in trouble,'' Taylor said.
Because of the Southern Modifieds Auto Racing Teams race scheduled for this Saturday, the Late Model Stocks originally had the weekend off. But now they will begin the evening's racing card at 7.
Tickets for the SMART race are $15, and those fans wishing to attend with a rain ticket will be charged $8, including the $7 discount for a normal FCS ticket.
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB