ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606120046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: AUTO RACING NOTES
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
Both Ford and Chevy teams will be watching the results of the next two races very carefully in the wake of NASCAR's unexpected decision to grant aerodynamic concessions to the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
NASCAR officials announced Friday that the Monte Carlos would be allowed to have an extra quarter inch to the bottom of their front air dams and an extra quarter inch on the height of their rear spoiler for the upcoming races at Pocono on Sunday and at Michigan on June 23. The changes were designed to improve the downforce on the Monte Carlos.
Calling the previous NASCAR-mandated roof height changes for Ford ``pretty significant,'' NASCAR spokesman Kevin Triplett said, ``What we found with those changes for Ford is that the Fords were pretty darn stable over long green-flag runs.
``I think most people knew or at least thought that after making such significant changes for the Ford, we'd be pretty ready to react once we saw what the changes did. We're not taking anything away from Ford. We're just hoping to give Chevy the same opportunity on long runs at these tracks.''
The Chevy teams had been complaining since Daytona in February that NASCAR had given the Fords too many concessions. The Chevys, nonetheless, had still won eight of the season's 12 races. Ford teams were shocked and startled by Friday's announcement.
``When I called the shop Friday and they told me about it, it was like someone hit me between the eyes,'' said Larry McReynolds, crew chief on Ernie Irvan's Ford Thunderbird team. ``I just wish I knew what they were basing this on.''
Said Jack Roush, owner of three Ford teams, ``They [NASCAR] are obviously reacting to political pressure. This is real discouraging. I couldn't be more discouraged.''
``It just seems like they may be overreacting a little,'' said Greg Moore, manager of Bud Moore's Ford, which is driven by Wally Dallenbach. ``We felt like we were just now getting even again.''
NEW DONLAVEY DRIVER: Junie Donlavey's Richmond-based Ford team is expected to announce Mike Wallace's replacement today. Wallace was released Monday.
There was some speculation that the new driver might be Dick Trickle, who will be relinquishing his seat in the Ford with the return of Loy Allen at Pocono. Team spokesman Gi Gi D'Antonio could not say who the driver would be, but did deny earlier reports that Wallace's replacement would be Elton Sawyer.
Wallace, who replaced Bobby Hillin Jr., in the car in March, 1994, had a best finish of fifth at Atlanta in the season finale last fall. His best finish in 1996 was 17th at Rockingham.
A LABONTE DEBUT: Justin Labonte, Terry's 16-year-old son, was scheduled to make his debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday night in a mini-stock Mustang. The series, called the Grand Am series at Charlotte, features a ``summer shootout'' each Tuesday night with Legends and Grand Am cars.
Labonte is also planning to drive the car in the mini-stock series on Friday nights at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 linesby CNB