Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. Dougherty
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Long
The locals are drivers Charlie Smith and Wayne Lawson of the Modified Mini Stock division.
The out-of-towners are the regulars on the Goody's Dash circuit, the only NASCAR tour that makes a stop at NRVS this season.
And their battle will be for starting positions in the Dash race. A full field of 24 cars - 22 qualifiers plus two provisional starters - is expected.
For Lawson, this first foray into the Dash Series is the culmination of all his off-season planning.
"We used to have an open-wheel car but when we went to rebuild the car over the winter, we made it Dash legal with the thought of running the race here," said Lawson, who is from Indian Valley. "If we make the field, it is going to be just like winning the race for us."
Lawson has had to scramble since blowing an engine in his Dodge Daytona early in the season. But his performance has been steady as he has climbed to third in the points in the Modified Minis. And Lawson tentatively plans on making a run for Dash Rookie of the Year in 1995.
But Lawson has the right goal for his first race as making the field has become something of an accomplishment this season. The Goody's Dash series has experienced the same growth as the more well-known NASCAR touring series - Winston Cup, Busch Grand National, etc.
That is why despite having entered three events so far this season that Dublin's Smith has seen only one green flag.
"The main thing is just to qualify," said Smith, the two-time defending track champ in Mod Minis who cut back his schedule at NRVS to run some Dash races. "I've had that trouble all year long, even in the races here. The car is fine after a few laps."
Smith, who drives a Toyota Celica, has also battled the problem of having an engine that is not as powerful as his rivals with domestic models. But once on the track, Smith can hold his own. He finished 10th at NRVS last year and was running in the top 10 at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., in May when a clutch problem forced him out.
Lawson and Smith also know they will face stiff competition from the tour regulars. And all the cars will be the same - compacts weighing 2,700 pounds with four-cylinder,165-cubic inch engines.
Edward Howell of Bradley Junction, Fla., got his chance to race in the series full time when car owner George Crenshaw moved up to the Grand Nationals. Howell has made the most of the opportunity, driving his Chevrolet to the series lead in points (2059) and the most wins - four. The last of those victories came June 25 at Bristol International Raceway in the series' only nationally televised race of the season.
The hottest driver on the circuit is its most popular: Mickey York of Ashboro, N.C. A former winner at NRVS, York enters this year's race having won two straight and three of the last four on the Dash circuit. He now has 26 career wins, third-best all time.
With the hot streak, York has jumped from fifth to third in the points (1928). He drives a Pontiac.
Last year's runner-up in the NRVS race, Will Hobgood of Winnsboro, S.C., also has three wins in his Pontiac. However, bad luck in back-to-back races has dropped him to fourth in the points (1922).
Larry Caudill of North Wilkesboro, N.C., sits second in the points (2003). He also has put his Dodge in Victory Lane twice this season.
The only other winner on the tour his year has been Mike Swaim of Archdale, N.C. He captured the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. He is also the only Dash regular who has practiced this year at NRVS.
TIRE TROUBLES: The efforts of track officials to prevent drivers from "soaking" their tires - putting an illegal substance in them to prevent the tires from losing their adhesion - reached new proportions last weekend.
The top 10 drivers in points and any winners during the season have had to buy their tires at the track since mid-June. But Saturday, the drivers had to leave their tires in the tire trailer until just before qualifying. Then after qualifying, the tires went back to the trailer until just before the race.
The track would supply the compressed air or nitrogen (preferred by some drivers because it does not expand as much when hot). And they would keep a watchful eye as the tires were prepared.
"That way we knew what is in the tires," said Lynn Carroll, the track's chief steward. "No one had a chance to put anything in the tires."
Two drivers affected by the change were Roanokers Tink Reedy and Tony McGuire. Reedy did not run after qualifying 15th in what would have been a 20-car field because he didn't want to wear out a new set of tires with an ill-handling race car as he tried to move to the front.
McGuire is one of the few drivers who usually runs scuffs - tires with about 25 laps on them - on the right side for qualifying. Forced to go with four new tires, he missed slightly on the set-up and ended up eighth on the starting grid. He worked his way up to a fifth-place finish.
BUMPING BE GONE: Limited Sportsman winner Mark Akers of Narrows was warned that another bump-and-pass for the lead would result in a black flag.
Akers got by Rock Harris in turn 4 of the 12th lap of the 35-lap race.
A similar warning was given to Michael Ritch after he nudged Johnny Rumley out of the way to win the second half of a Late Model doubleheader two weeks ago.
RACING, TAKE 2: NRVS promoter and co-owner Ronnie Snoddy has confirmed the rumor that had been making the rounds since the TV race a few weeks ago: WDBJ plans to telecast another race this season.
The race to be aired will be the track's post-season big money race, the Southwest Virginia Chevy Dealers 250-Lap Late Model Shootout on Oct. 22.
The success of the first televised race made it easy decision for WDBJ Channel 7.
"They wanted to do it real quick after that," said Snoddy.
HOW MUCH IS THAT LUMINA IN THE WINDOW? Ronnie Newman of Salem had an unusual sign on the front quarterpalnels of his Chevrolet - ``For Sale By Owner.''
"I've been thinking about it for two or three years," said Newman. "I might get out of it - at least get out of the car owner part."
Newman said he would take the best offer for a package that includes his 1992 Lumina race car, the truck, the trailer and all the parts.
The telephone number on the sign: 345-3034.
THIS WEEK AT THE TRACK: The Goody's Dash cars are not all that will be running in the Dooley Printing/PSK Radio 300.
Four other divisions will also be on the track. The feature is a 100-lap Late Model race. There will also be a 35-lapper for the Limited Sportsman and 25-lappers for the Mini Stocks and Pure Stocks.
Gates open at 2 p.m. Practice begins at 4. Qualifying starts at 6:15. And the green flag drops at 8.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children 12-and-under.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
Memo: NOTE: Also ran in August 18, 1994 Neighbors.