THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190678
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
NASCAR once again has gone back to the drawing board in trying to find a fair and understandable method to determine its regional and national Late Model Stock champions.
NASCAR once again has failed.
This season's formula is more complicated than the old one and promises to keep fans and competitors in the dark as to who is leading and who is chasing in regional competition.
Last season, when Norfolk's Phil Warren won the Mid-East title, drivers accumulated points based on their best 20 finishes in the region. This year, a driver collects points only on his 20 top finishes at his ``home'' track.
But points alone won't decide the championship. A regional champion will be determined not only by how he fares in his 20 top races, but also by how tough the competition was at his home track.
The problem is how NASCAR can fairly determine which tracks have the toughest competition. Who can say the drivers at Southside Speedway in Richmond are better than those at Langley Speedway in Hampton, or vice versa?
About the only benefit the new system offers to fans is that it encourages drivers to race consistently at their ``home'' tracks instead of skipping around the region.
STILL FREE: Langley promoter Wayne Wyatt wants to remind fans that parking is still free at his track.
The reminder is necessary because at last week's season opener, some fans were charged $1 for parking in the track's lots.
But it wasn't anyone connected with the track collecting the money.
``Someone told us what was happening, but the guy got away before we could catch up with him,'' Wyatt said. ``If anyone is asked to pay for parking at Langley, he should refuse to do so and report it immediately to our office.''
SADLER VISITING: Busch Grand National driver Hermie Sadler of Emporia, Va., will be at Langley to meet fans and sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
A 100-lap Late Model Stock feature tops the racing card. Featured events for Grand Stock, Limited Stock, Mini-Stock, and Pure Stock drivers also are scheduled.
Gates open at 3 p.m., with qualifying at 5 and the first feature at 7.
AT SOUTHAMPTON: Late Model Stock driver Speck Edwards of Capron will be looking to tie the Southampton Speedway record for most victories Saturday night.
Edwards won last week's season opener for his 32nd victory at the track, which opened in 1992, to tie Tony Edwards for second place.
Wade Hollingsworth of Conway, N.C., is the leader with 33 victories - four in Late Model Stock and 29 in 4-Cylinder Modified races.
Other races Saturday include Super Late Model, Limited Sportsman, 4-Cylinder Modified/Stock, Super Stock, and Pure Stock.
Time trials begin at 5:45 p.m. and racing at 7.
VIRGINIA NATIONALS: Tickets are available for the NHRA Virginia Nationals drag racing meet May 2-5 at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie.
General admission prices are $12 on Thursday, $25 on Friday, $35 on Saturday and $40 on Sunday. Reserved seat tickets are $45 on Saturday and $52 on Sunday.
Lower-priced tickets for children ages 6 to 15 are available.
Further information can be obtained by calling the track at 804-862-3174. by CNB