Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405050103
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After Eddie Johnson won back-to-back races at Southside Speedway and Langley Raceway in a Ford Thunderbird and Ronnie Thomas led almost half the race at New River Valley Speedway in a Chrysler LeBaron on the weekend of April 22-23, NASCAR has once again changed the rules on the carburetors and weight-allowances.
This time, though, tracks are being allowed more leeway in establishing their rules as NASCAR searches for a way to make all the cars fair.
At NRVS, that means non-GM drivers have two options: run the larger carburetor and 100 pounds of extra weight (55 on the left and 45 on the right), or run the smaller carburetor and be 50 pounds lighter than the standard weight of 3,100 pounds.
"We're trying to come up with something that is fair for everyone, equal for everyone," said Lynn Carroll, the chief steward at NRVS. "We know we can't make everyone happy. But we want to do the best we can."
Roanoke's Tink Reedy went with the larger carburetor and the extra weight and ended up the best finish. After starting 14th, he worked his way up to sixth place.
Meanwhile, Thomas went light and the best qualifying run - 16.75 seconds - and started sixth. The Christiansburg driver got as high as third place before falling back to seventh.
\ RICK RETURN TO ROOTS: Franklin County Speedway promoter Whitey Taylor has signed a deal with Winston Cup star Rick Mast to appear at the Speedway Sept. 24. Mast will meet with fans and sign autographs. He was a regular at FCS 10 years ago.
\ WINNERS TO THE REAR: FCS has instituted a new rule where the winners in Pure Stock, Rookie and Any Car divisions automatically start at the rear of the field in the next race.
\ THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: At New River Valley Speedway, there are two days worth of racing action. On Saturday night, it's the Wade's/Campbell Soups 200 with a 100-lap Late Model Stock feature and a special 35-Mini Stock race. Gates open at 2 p.m. with racing at 8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
On Sunday, it's the first Enduro race of the year - 100 laps or two hours, whichever comes first. Also, there will be a 50-lap Pure Stock race and a 25-lap Mini Stock race. Gates open at 10 a.m. with racing at 2 p.m. Admission is half price, just $5, for fans who have ticket stubs from Saturday's race.
At Franklin County Speedway, it's the Baker Brothers 300. Street Stock points leader and four-time winner Mike Dudley will have the first FCS bounty of the season on him - $200 to anyone who can outduel Dudley.
Gates open at noon, qualifying starts at 6 and the green flag drops at 8 - one hour later than last week. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children 10 and under.
by CNB