THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 20, 1995 TAG: 9505200487
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Anyone taking even a casual look at Grand Stock driver Roger Bress's record the last two seasons at Langley Speedway might wonder why he would want to build another race car.
It certainly isn't because the one he has now isn't getting the job done.
Bress won nine races and his division championship last year. He's off to an even better start this season with six victories in eight starts, and again on top of the championship standings.
So, what is wrong with the car that Bress has driven to all those wins?
``Nothing,'' Bress replied. ``But when you are running for a championship, it is always good to have a second car just in case something goes wrong.''
Perhaps it is such dedication and planning that explain how Bress was able to come back after a seven-year layoff and pick up as if he had hardly been away from racing.
He quit racing after the 1985 season in which he won the championship and 16 races. It wasn't his idea. His partner became ill and sold the race car.
At about the same time Bress and his wife were expecting achild, so he decided to take a break from a sport that demands so much time and resources.
``It was tough, dealing with not racing the year after I quit,'' recalled Bress, who always expected to return when the situation was right.
He ran a few races in 1993, and won the championship last year in his first full season back.
``That was a real challenge after being away for so long,'' Bress said. ``Things had changed, but we caught on real fast.''
Bress began building his new car over the winter, from the frame up. Having a backup in a championship race is a good idea, but Bress says building the new car was a labor of love.
``I just enjoy tinkering with those cars,'' Bress said.
While Bress has a lopsided edge in victories in his division, the championship race is a different matter.
James Kenney won the two races that Bress failed to win, and has finished second in most of the others to trail in the standings by only eight points.
``I know that I can't win every week,'' Bress said, ``but the main thing is being consistent, and finishing high in the races I don't win.''
Grand Stock drivers will compete in a 40-lap feature tonight. A 100-lapper is scheduled in the Late Model Stock division, where seven-time winner Phil Warren has built a 55-point lead over Buddy Dozier. Races also are scheduled for Limited Stock, Mini Stock and Pure Stock drivers.
Qualifying will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the first race at 7.
AT SOUTHAMPTON: Defending Late Model Sportsman champion Bert Culpepper of Chesapeake could be making his last ride at the dirt track tonight.
Culpepper, 53, has not raced since April 22 when he was forced to pit after his heart rate became accelerated.
He told promoter Reed Panasiti this week that he has received clearance from his doctor to race tonight, and the doctor has prescribed a new medication which he believes will solve the problem.
If not, Culpepper, who has one victory this season, may be forced to end his career.
Races are scheduled in all five divisions. Time trails start at 5:45 p.m., and the first race at 7.
DRAG RACING: The Nashville Network has announced plans to televise the final professional rounds of the inaugural NHRA Virginia Nationals drag races on June 4 at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie.
A 30-minute segment of NHRA Today also will be televised from the track on Saturday, June 3, at 3:30 p.m.
The strip opens today at 11 a.m. for E.T. Point races. It also opens Sunday at 11 a.m. for Street Legal and High School Trophy events.
OTHER TRACKS: Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, N.C., will have races for all five of its weekly divisions tonight. Gates at the dirt track open at 5 and the first event is 8 p.m.
A 75-lap Late Model Stock event is the feature of a five-race program at East Carolina Motor Speedway, located near Robersonville, N.C. Qualifying begins at 7:30 p.m. by CNB