Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 26, 1994 TAG: 9405260190
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COMPETITION LENGTH: Medium
The new NASCAR rules on carburetors are a major reason why late model drivers Rodney Cundiff and Orvil Reedy have moved to FCS from New River Valley Speedway.
But Cundiff, who embarked on a long winning streak after his first race, and Reedy have other reasons as well. Both have strong track re cords at FCS, and their sponsors and convenience were also factors.
Cundiff lives in Boones Mill, just a few miles from the speedway, and has been racing at Franklin County since 1979. "I just don't see how a Ford can win at New River," Cundiff said. Since FCS is not a NASCAR-sanctioned track, it does not enforce all NASCAR regulations. And driving a Ford has helped make Cundiff a crowd favorite.
Reedy was the late model track champion at FCS in 1984. The Daleville resident started racing at Callaway in 1971 when he bought a car from "Squeak" McGuire, father of current racers Tim and Tony McGuire. Also, Reedy's sponsors this season, Wise Potato Chips and Vinton Motors, have raced in Callaway for many years.
Meanwhile, new challenges and the desire for a change of scenery have brought the McGuire brothers of Roanoke to New River Valley Speedway full time after alternating between the tracks last year.
Tim McGuire wants to change the fact he hasn't won a race at NRVS since 1988.
"I couldn't do well in the points at either track," said McGuire, who is second in the points standings. "We decided to pick one. We won there [Franklin County] but we didn't win here [New River]. So we wanted to come back here and try to win a race."
For Tony McGuire, the rule-making body that has caused some Ford drivers to flee New River is his main reason for racing there.
"You've got [promoter Ronnie] Snoddy and the NASCAR officials," said Tony, who won his first NASCAR race earlier this year. "It's a nicer place to race. And they go by the [NASCAR] rules. No changing them halfway through a race."
Two other former FCS regulars are also at New River this year. Dicky Wilson of Salem teamed up with car-owner Emory Collins to take the place of Clay Highberger, who retired. Rick Sigmon of Rocky Mount stepped into the Wicker Basket car owned by Ned and Sylvia Turner and driven by several competitors last year, including Carl Daidan who is racing this year at Franklin County.
\ UPCOMING AT THE TRACKS: There will be a lot of action the next two weekends at the two tracks, no matter who races where.
At New River Valley Speedway, the Budweiser 200 has a 100-lap late model race Saturday. On June 4, it's the Jordan Oil-Marathon/Cloud's Clothing 250 featuring a pair of 75-lap Late Model races.
Gates open at 2 p.m. with racing at 8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
At Franklin County Speedway, it's a regular racing night Saturday with a 100-lapper for the Late Models. On June 4, the Legends Cars visit FCS. They are a collection of miniature antique modifieds modeled after those driven by the sport's stars during NASCAR's formative years.
Gates open at noon, qualifying starts at 6, and the green flag drops at 8. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children 10 and under.
by CNB