Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 10, 1993 TAG: 9312130302
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV18 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Barnes, 22, will be signing autographs and meeting the public during his visit. Both the models shop and Pulaski Main Street Inc. will sponsor him when the racing season gets under way next spring.
``This is a good opportunity for Anthony and the store,'' said Wayne Holden who, operates New River Valley Models with his wife, Bobbie. They will be giving away 15 souvenir racing caps and serving refreshments during the open house.
Barnes, who lives in Wythe County at Draper, has been involved in racing for two years at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat. He will compete for the first time at New River Valley Speedway near Fairlawn next season with Holden as his first sponsor.
His previous racing has been in the street stock division. He finished sixth in points for both years, was in the top 10 for five finishes, and won three heat races.
He drives a Chevy Camaro which, next year, will be number 17.
Pulaski Main Street Director Roscoe Cox, conscious of the state tourism division's use of a race car in spreading its ``Virginia is for Lovers'' message, decided to have the Main Street program add its sponsorship to Holden's.
Barnes' car will advertise both New River Valley Models and Pulaski Main Street with the names painted on it. Barnes is continuing to seek sponsors.
He said it costs a lot to keep his engine repaired, replace his tires and buy racing fuel at $3.75 a gallon.
Wayne Holden remembers when he was a boy and went to the opening race at the Bristol track. He became an instant fan and enjoyed associating with the various drivers over the years.
``Kind of grew up with all those people,'' he said. He also became interested in models, and his store carries a variety of those in addition to race car models.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB