DATE: Friday, April 25, 1997                TAG: 9704250846

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   45 lines

LOOK FOR BIG SPEED AT VA. DRAG RACES

Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie is bracing for another record-breaking assault this weekend from the nation's top drag racers. Qualifying runs for the Pennzoil Nationals are scheduled for today and Saturday, with Final Eliminations on Sunday.

Last year when the meet was moved from June to early May, every professional record at the four-year-old track was shattered.

An even earlier date and cooler temperatures should enable the NHRA Winston Series drivers to continue a pattern of record runs this season.

Top Fuel dragsters raced in the 4.50-second range and Funny Cars dropped into the 4.9's at three of the first four national events this season.

Top Fuel speeds have exceeded 315 miles per hour in four of the first five races.

Top Fueler Joe Amato set the speed record at Motorsports Park last year at 305.81 mph.

Pro qualifying runs are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. today and for noon and 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. Sunday followed by Final Eliminations at 11 a.m.

General admission tickets are $26 today, $36 Saturday, and $41 Sunday. Reserved seats are $34 today, $46 Saturday, and $53 Sunday. All include pit passes.

Dixieland

Bobby Webb, the defending Budweiser All-Stars champion, is expected to voluntarily sit out tonight's feature at Dixieland Speedway because of an incident last week. Webb, of Chesapeake, was fined $500 and disqualified after angrily jumping on the hood of Steve Steeley's race car.

Webb was leading the last lap until Steeley made a bumper pass to get around him.

Races in all classes are scheduled for tonight, beginning at 8 p.m.

Southampton

After four races at Southampton Motor Speedway only one driver, Mark Wertz of Newport News, has a perfect record. He drove to his fourth straight Limited Stock win last week. Twin 75-lap features for Late Model drivers top tonight's program. Time trials begin at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 8.

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