ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, August 12, 1996 TAG: 9608120145
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CALLAWAY
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
TWO FREQUENT winners knock each other off as the Fieldale resident sees his first FCS checkered flag.
The thunder rolled once again Saturday night through the Franklin County Speedway in the Nelson GMC 300, but it wasn't the weather that had the fans on their feet.
Bobby Radford, last year's track champion, and Jimmy Mullins, the favorite this year, caused some smoke and fire in the first quarter of the 100-lap feature. Radford and Mullins were first and second, respectively, when on the 26th lap, Mullins pulled up on the inside and the pair got together for a ride into the infield retaining wall of turn one. Radford's next turn took him to his trailer on a tow truck. Mullins made two more laps before heading to a similar destination.
``When you're going 100 miles per hour, the cars are going to spin,'' Mullins said. ``I know he's upset about the damage to the car, but I've got damage, too.''
Larry Hodges of Fieldale came out the winner after the caution flag was lifted. ``It was great to get a win after all this time,'' said Hodges, who has been racing since 1988.
The much-anticipated debut of 23-year old Coy Gibbs, son of NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, finally happened. He finished seventh, with his mother looking on.
Mike Dudley built a huge lead with five laps to go in the 35-lap Limited Sportsman feature and went on to an easy win. Red Hartman cruised to victory in the 25-lap Pure Stock race. In the Mini Stock division, polesitter Gary Joyce missed a shift coming up on the start that allowed Dennis Sloan (second to Joyce in the point standings) the opening he needed to win. ``That makes it two in a row for us,'' Sloan said. ``We're tickled to death.''
Steve Cannaday led from start to finish in winning the 25-lap Rookie feature and Larry Brown won the Any Car division.
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB