Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 31, 1993 TAG: 9310310180
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PHOENIX LENGTH: Medium
Johnson said Spencer is his kind of driver: "If you can't outrun 'em, get out and beat the hell out of 'em."
Said Spencer: "I'm like him, I hate to lose. I hope he does what he told me he can do. If so, I think we'll win."
Spencer said he was happy driving Bobby Allison's Ford, but "we don't have sponsorship for next year and I had to look at not having a ride."
\ NOT HIS CAR: Contrary to many published reports, Johnson said he is not the owner of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's new Smokin' Joe's Winston Cup car fielded by Travis Carter and driven by Hut Stricklin.
"I'm happy with what I got," he said, denying reports that he would have three cars in 1994.
Johnson said he thinks the rumors started because he is heavily involved in helped Carter. He is selling Carter some cars and a car hauler, leasing shop space and providing engines.
Carter will use the Johnson shops on Route 421 in Yadkin County, N.C., which housed the McDonald's team this year. Johnson said now that he and his ex-wife, Flossie, have reached a property settlement, he is bringing the McDonald's team to Ingle Hollow to share space with his other team.
\ WALTRIP STARTING 21ST: Darrell Waltrip led second-round qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway, touring the 1-mile circuit at 128.310 mph to win the 21st starting spot.
Had Waltrip recorded that speed Friday, he would have started 13th.
Waltrip was one of 16 drivers to participate in the second round of time trials. All the Winston Cup regulars made the field, including Todd Bodine, who recovered from a spin Friday to take the 30th starting spot.
Three Winston West competitors were added to the 40-car field as provisional starters.
\ GETTING IT TOGETHER: NASCAR will further standardize car dimensions for 1994 to made it unnecessary to have different cars for short tracks, intermediate tracks, road courses and superspeedways.
The standard roof height for all cars will be 51 inches (from 50 inches), and tread width will be 60.25 to 60.50 inches (from 50.5 to 60.5 inches).
Variances in quarter-panel heights also have been reduced. There used to be a 2-inch variance allowed; it will be 1 inch in 1994.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB