ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
MORE THAN 10,000 FANS are expected to attend the benefit for the Roanoke Valley Trouble Center.
Martinsville Speedway won't be the only place to see Winston Cup stars this weekend.
Today, eight top drivers will be participating in the Trust NASCAR Show at Victory Stadium. The program is a benefit for the Roanoke Valley Trouble Center, which provides the area with an emergency shelter, travelers' assistance, a crisis hotline and a teen hotline.
Drivers scheduled to appear are: Mark Martin, Ernie Irvan, Ken Schrader, Bobby Hamilton, Michael Waltrip, Bobby Hillin, Hut Stricklin and Johnny Benson. The show will run from 1 to 9 p.m., and the drivers will be there from 5:30 to 7:30. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 10 and younger.
A crowd in excess of 10,000 is expected, said Janice Dinkins, Trust's executive director. The event drew more than 8,000 two years ago when Trust held it at Tanglewood Mall.
``We think 10,000 is realistic,'' Dinkins said. ``We're having people call from all over the country - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina. You name it, they're traveling here for the show.''
With Sunday's Goody's 500 being held at Martinsville Speedway, the Winston Cup stars were available to participate in the event. Advance Auto Parts, one of Trust's sponsors, played a big part in securing the drivers for the show, Dinkins said.
Besides the autograph sessions with drivers, fans attending the show can purchase NASCAR memorabilia from vendors on site and can participate in a 6 p.m. auction, which will feature items such as Winston Cup drivers' helmets.
There also will be drivers and cars from New River Valley Speedway, as well as Legacy Cars and Winston Cup Mini Cars on display.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB