Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9408050062
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Chronic back problems got the best of the Christiansburg driver. That was something the competition had been unable to do this season.
``I want to be able to get out while I can still walk,'' Hinkley told the crowd a couple of weeks ago when he announced his retirement after winning the Modified Mini Stock race at New River Valley Speedway.
That retirement became official this past weekend. Thus Hinkley wasn't in the specially-modified Ford Thunderbird he and car owner John Kytchen created this winter.
``Jimmy was a real driver,'' said Kytchen. ``He hated to give it up.''
For the first part of the season, Hinkley dueled fellow Christiansburg driver Tony Howell for supremacy in the Modified Minis.
By winning his last race, Hinkley retired with the edge in the points standings 304-302. For the season, Hinkley won two races and three poles.
TELEVISION WARS: WDBJ has a Late Model new driver.
The Roanoke television station has moved its sponsorship to Roanoker Tony McGuire after deciding to end its relationship with Ronnie Thomas of Christiansburg.
This week will be the first that McGuire's car will fly the banner for Channel 7. And the upcoming race happens to be the week WDBJ telecasts three races - two Late Model 100-lappers and the Limited 35-lapper - from NRVS.
Thomas, who has been plagued by bad luck and bad performances all season, qualified poorly and left the track without racing two weeks ago. He then decided he needed to build a new car. That decision made it doubtful Thomas would be ready for the televised race and led WDBJ to seeking another car.
Ironically, the new sponsor puts McGuire into competition with his older brother, Tim, in another arena. Tim is sponsored by WSLS Channel 10.
by CNB