ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 4, 1997 TAG: 9701060054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Martinsville Speedway's golden anniversary schedule features something new as well as things tried and true.
Speedway president Clay Campbell announced Friday the speedway would be making a 5,000-seat addition to the Bill France Tower, located between turns 3 and 4 of the historic track. No date has been announced regarding the availability of tickets for the seats, which Campbell says will enable those in attendance "to watch the entire race without even turning their heads."
The track also announced the return of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour, which will make a stop at the .526-mile track on April 19 for the Goody's Headache Powder 200. The modified division has run more races than any other series at Martinsville, but returns following a short hiatus.
The Winston Cup series rolls into town April 20 for the Goody's Headache Powder 500 and Sept. 28 for the Hanes 500. Sept. 27 will see the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the Hanes 250.
A pair of Late Model Stock events, the Miller 300 and the Taco Bell 300, are slated for March 16 and Oct.19.
Tickets for all the 1997 races at the Martinsville Speedway may be obtained by calling the speedway at 540-956-3151.
nThe television audience for Virginia Tech's 1996 bowl appearance showed a 24 percent increase over the one a year earlier.
Nebraska's Orange Bowl victory over the Hokies on Tuesday night drew a 7.8 Nielsen rating (percentage of U.S. TV homes) on CBS. That's up 24 percent from a 6.3 for Tech's Sugar Bowl victory over Texas on ABC in 1995. Both games were played ion New Year's Eve night.
The Orange Bowl gave CBS a Tuesday night win in the prime-time ratings over NBC, ABC and Fox.
nTicket for the Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament March 5-8 in Philadelphia are now on sale.
Ticket packages for the 11 games range from $80-$110 and can be purchased at the Virginia Tech ticket office or by calling TicketMaster at 215-336-200, 609-665-2500, 609-347-8300 or 302-884-2000.
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB