ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997 TAG: 9704280059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: AUTO RACING NOTES
DATELINE: TALLADEGA, ALA.
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER THE ROANOKE TIMES
NASCAR president Bill France said Friday he expects to make rules changes before the July 5 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway that, he hopes, will improve racing at the restrictor-plate races.
Speaking at Talladega Superspeedway before qualifying began, France said NASCAR is considering reducing the spoiler size and raising the front air dam height. That option seems to hold the most promise for less-congested racing at Daytona and Talladega.
The changes would reduce the drag and the downforce on the cars, which means they would not handle as well in the turns atthe superspeedways.
``By reducing the spoiler size, which is one option we're looking at, that probably won't keep as many of cars as tightly bunched together,'' France said. ``I'm counting on maybe a half-dozen cars staying together and getting away.''
France was personally involved in monitoring a three-car test earlier this month at Daytona.
He did not say how much NASCAR might raise the air dam or cut the spoiler, but speculation in the garage is that the air dam could be raised to five inches off the ground (it's currently 3.5 inches) and the spoiler could be cut more than an inch for all manufacturers to about four inches.
NEW GOODYEAR PACT: NASCAR and Goodyear tires have signed a three-year agreement that makes Goodyear the exclusive tire supplier for the sanctioning body's three top series - Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Supertrucks.
The deal eliminates the possibility of another tire war in NASCAR racing, at least for another three years.
``From a competitor's standpoint, that was something we didn't enjoy,'' said Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte. ``Now knowing week after week that they're not going to have someone come in from around the corner with a tire that's not as good as the Goodyear tire but might be as fast, it's just going to be a better situation for all the competitors.''
Asked whether the exclusive arrangement might cause anti-trust or restraint of trade problems, France said, ``We think we have those issues worked out. Hoosier left a few years ago, and the way it's structured, we think it's going to work out fine. We didn't have to tell anybody `Sayanora,' so that in itself makes it a lot easier.''
Goodyear marketing director Bryan Kinnamon said the agreement has opened the door for a ``tremendous number of marketing ideas,'' but said the company doesn't have any specific plans yet, such as a NASCAR-linked street tire.
DALLENBACH ON FULL SCHEDULE: Wally Dallenbach said his team will embark on a full schedule for the rest of the season. So far Dallenbach has run only in the Daytona 500. He finished 42nd.
BUSCH FIELD: A 42-car field was set for today's Birmingham 500K Busch Grand National race after a second round of qualifying Friday.
Only one driver, Jerry Nadeau, failed to make the race. Joe Nemechek starts on the pole position after running a lap of 193.517 mph Thursday in the first round of time trials. (GN qualifying in Scoreboard. B5)
A NEW BABY: Joe and Andrea Nemechek, who are expecting their first baby in late June, found out recently that it will be a boy. They have decided to name their son John in memory of Joe's brother, John, who was fatally injured in a crash during the NASCAR truck race at Homestead (Fla.) Motorsports Park on March 16.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB