THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 27, 1995 TAG: 9505270556
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Barry Strathmann was greeted by sympathetic fans after his misfortune in the Late Model Stock race last Saturday at Langley Speedway.
The Norfolk driver qualified third fastest and was having a good run until he was caught up in a spin with another driver to fall from contention for what might have been the first victory of his career.
``Too bad, Barry. Rotten luck.''
Strathmann may have nodded his agreement, but he was smiling. too. He routinely laughs in the face of the bad luck that confronts him during race weekends.
``I have been lucky in business and lucky in health,'' Strathmann says. ``So what if I have crummy luck at the race track?
``People come up to me all the time saying `too bad, tough luck' after I've had a problem out here. But, if I am going to have bad luck, this is where I'd rather have it.''
Actually, Strathmann considers himself lucky to be able to mix business and pleasure, which he considers his racing effort. He owns Barry's Performance Import, an auto service and repair shop in Norfolk.
``I learn a lot that helps me in my business by building, maintaining, and racing cars,'' Strathmann says. ``But, basically, I race on the weekends because I enjoy it.''
Asked when he had his best season, Strathmann smiles and replies he probably has never had a ``best'' season. ``I don't get caught up in running for the (championship) points. If I want to take a weekend off to do something else I enjoy, like windsurfing, I do it,'' he said.
``I am not like some of the young guys looking to go somewhere in this sport. I am 43. I'm out here for fun.''
Still, Strathmann is serious about being competitive and wanting to win.
He was bothered early in the season by an overheating problem, which he and mechanic Junie Nelson finally solved by installing an oversized radiator.
``The car really is running good,'' Strathmann says.
With a little good luck, Strathmann might even have a season to remember as being his best.
LONG RUN: The only strategy for Late Model Stock drivers normally is to run hard and turn left. But it won't be that simple tonight at Langley Speedway.
Late Model drivers will compete in one of the season's longest races, a 200-lap feature, which necessitates making a pit stop for new tires.
Most stops will be made during caution periods, but deciding when to make the stop to get the best use out of the fresh tires could be critical.
Regular-distance races will be held for the track's other four divisions, Mini Stocks, Pure Stock, Grand Stock, and Limited Stock. Practice begins at 3 p.m., followed by qualifying at 5 and racing at 7.
Langley will open Sunday afternoon for a pair of Enduro races. A 50-lap women's race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., followed by a 125-lap main event.
AT SOUTHAMPTON: Southampton Speedway's 3/8-mile track near Capron, which hosted its first tractor and truck pull Friday, will have five racing divisions in action tonight.
The feature is a 50-lap, double-points Sportsman race.
Speck Edwards, who recorded his 27th victory at the track last week, leads the Sportsman division by 34 points over longtime-rival Vic Story.
Time trials begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the first qualifying heat at 7 o'clock.
DRAG RACING: Virginia Motorsports Park is closed this weekend to allow officials to begin preparations for the inaugural Virginia Is For Lovers Nationals that begin next week.
The track opens for the $1,428,800 event next Thursday at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will qualify at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Pro qualifying sessions on Friday are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturday for noon and 3 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies on Sunday begin at 10 a.m., followed by the start of final elimination runs at 11 a.m.
The drag strip is located on U.S. 1 in Dinwiddie.
OTHER TRACKS: Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, N.C., will hold races in All-Star, Mini Stock, and three Bomber classes tonight. Gates open at 5 p.m., with the first event beginning at 8.
Twin 30-lap Sportsman races and a 75-lap Late Model Stock race top the program at East Carolina Motor Speedway in Robersonville, N.C. Qualifying begins at 6:30 p.m.
GRAND MARSHAL: Gov. George Allen will get an upclose and personal view of stock car racing Sunday when he serves as Grand Marshal for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Allen will tour the pit and garage areas, meet drivers, and ride in the pace car when it leads the field of Winston Cup through warm-up laps. by CNB