Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 14, 1994 TAG: 9407210068
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
To add more excitement to the shorter races, the top qualifiers in the lower divisions at New River Valley Speedway are now being inverted. The top four, six or eight drivers are ``turned upside down'' in the starting lineup, depending on what number was drawn by the fastest qualifier in each division.
The plan was devised by track promoter Ronnie Snoddy and chief steward Lynn Carroll.
``A lot of tracks do it, especially with their lower divisions,'' said Snoddy. ``I think it creates excitement. The fans don't come out here to see the same car run away with it.''
Saturday was the first time the field was inverted and it didn't have an impact on the results. The winners in the Pure Stock (Tommy Allie), Mini Stock (Gene Duncan) and Modified Minis (Jimmy Hinkley) were no strangers to victory lane. But the new rule did make it much more difficult for them to get up front.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The rained out Wade's/Campbell Soup 200 has been rescheduled for Oct. 1. And at least one new driver will be in the race - Ken Schrader. As in the Ken Schrader who is fifth in the Winston Cup points.
If he wins, Schrader will join Morgan Shepherd as Winston Cup winners who have victories at NRVS. Shepherd won a race in 1988, the track's first season.
NEW JOB FOR OLD HAND: Roanoke's Malcolm Fink has found something to do as he waits for a new engine for his Chevrolet.
Fink is now the crew chief for Kenny Prillaman of Salem.
``If he's running up front, I've done my job,'' said Fink. ``It frees him [Prillaman] up from having to work on the car, get it set up and then having to think about the race. He can now concentrate on what he has to do out there.''
In just their second week together, Prillaman qualified on the outside pole. However, the engine lost a cylinder early on and then later dropped a valve, forcing him to park it after 60 laps.
Fink will continue to serve as crew chief even after his car is repaired. He only plans to drive part-time. So on those weekends when he is racing, the two teams will park side-by-side on pit road.
THIS WEEK AT THE TRACKS: At New River Valley Speedway, it's 200-lapper time for the Late Models Saturday night in the Basham Oil/F&H Oil/Pennzoil 300.
Gates open at 2. Racing starts at 8. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children 12-and-under.
At Franklin County Speedway, its a normal night of racing action with a 75-lap Late Model feature.
Gates open at noon. Racing starts at 8. Admission is $5 for adults with children 10-and-under free.
by CNB