The Danville Register from Danville, Virginia • Page 32

THE DANVILLE REGISTER THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 14,1977 Saturday In South Boston TTk 'Purolator Pearson Purolator SOUTH BOSTON-South Boston Speedway is expected to have an added touch of glamor-- prestige-call it what one will--with the scheduled appearance of top Grand National driver David Pearson Saturday night. The situation is titled "Purolator it is a race for Late Model Sportsman stock cars. Pearson, of Spartansburg, S.C., will be driving his Banjo Matthews-built Ford of the same name. The feature is scheduled to begin.around 8 p.m., following time trials and heat races to decide the starting lineups for it and a Limited Sportsman event. Pearson is a two-time winner of the prestigious Olsonite American-Driver-of-the- Year award, presented.annually by racing writers to' the man judged the best among Grand National, United States Auto Club and Grand Prix performers.

He is also a three-time former Grand National champion. Even with those credentials, however, he will not be rated an overwhelming favorite to win over a field that comprises some of America's top Late Model drivers. Among they latter numbers two-time 1977 South Boston winner Sonny Hutchins of Rich- rnond. It includes Jack Bland of Riverdale, Sam Ard of Asneboro, N.C. and Tommy Ellis of Richmond, each of whom has won once here this season.

Defending South Boston point champ Bubba Tatum of Richmond is entered, as are Ray Hendrick (also from Virginia's capital), Jack Ingram of Asheville, N.C., Phil' Morgan of.Burner, N.C., Tommy Houston of N.C. and Jimmy Hensley of Ridgeway: feature is scheduled for 150 laps or 56.25 miles. Saturday night's program also includes a Limited Sportsman race, the starting lineup for which is to be decided by 10-lap qualifying beats. The Limited Sportsman field is expected to include Richmoriders Charlie Ford and Roy 1 Groome, who have combined to win all six races held at South Boston this has won four of them, was denied a fifth victory in one when he was involved in a three-car collision 50 yards from the finish-line and lost a chance for yet another because he was unable to make the trip here from Richmond. Pearson's ventures into Late Model racing, because of his Grand National commitments, are necessarily infrequent.

However, has been consistently at or near the top of the races he has entered the past two years. He and Ard, the most recent winner here and one of Late Model's hottest drivers in recent weeks, will probably share the favorite's role when the race starts'Saturday. But Hutchins, a runaway leader in this year's Speedway point standings and holder of all South Boston time records, and Bland can also be expected to mount strong challenges. In at least three races here this season, Eland's Chevrolet has looked to be the fastest car on the track but has been knocked out of contention by tire problems. Bad tires have taken a heavy toll on cars here all season.

Several drivers, including Ard twice, have been denied victory because of them. MIS Repaying Done CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION, Mich. (AP) Repaying has been completed on the patches where winter weather damage was the greatest at Michigan International Speedway, and driver Tom Snevai says there should be no real problem running Indianapolis type cars weekend on the two-mile track: "We tested earlier this week and found there is nd real problem," Sneva Said. "There still are a few bumps that drivers will have to watch out for, but they should be able to locate them and practice, so there won't be a problem in the race:" Stock car champion Cale Yarborough said last month, after'winning a Grand National race at the track, that parts of the speedway were too bumpy or cracked for the more fragile Indycars. A large section was replaced in the first turn, and an even larger strip was covered in the backstretch.

"I'm anxious to see how much it has helped," said Gordon Johncock, who drove against Highlights In Auto Racing Yarborough in June in a special match race-- and lost after his car lurched across one of the backstretch bumps and hit Yarborough's car. Long-range plans call for, the entire speed- way to be repaved prior to the 1978 racing season. Estimated cost for such a project ex- ceeds $250,000. Special equipment is needed to pave the steeply bankedturhs. Richard Petty's victory in the Firecracker 400 stock car race July 4 was the 31st, ac- cording to an unofficial count, for his 1974 model Dodge Charger.

But it will go into the record books this year as merely a The model-year designation was dropped from the NASCAR yearbook two seasons ago because "there is really no way. any 'more to tell what year a car is, and most of the drivers would lie about it if you asked them," said an official. Some drivers have been using the same chassis for up to 10 seasons. Each new "skin" or body panels are grafted onto the old chassis, updating the model year. The practice isn't illegal because chassis specifications haven't changed much in the past 10 years.

NASCAR's Grand National stock car series outdrew every other racing series in the world last season, and so far in 1977, attendance is up again, averaging well over 50,000 per event: The increase through the first half of this season was nearly nine per cent--a total of 862,900 fans through 15 races. The increase should guarantee the con- tinuation of Grand National's No. 1 worldwide status when final figures for the year are an- nounced in December. i 'THE SILVER FOX' Spartansburg, S.C., driver David Pearson headlines a top field for Saturday's "Purolator'150" at South Boston Speedway. Pearson, twice the Olsonite American-priver-of-the-Year, was a top Late Model Sportsman driver before going Grand National in 1960.

He has recently returned to Late Model racing on a limited schedule. Saturday will mark his first appearance in South Boston. (Special Photo) Anderson Adds Cub Duo To NL Star Mound Staff NEW YORK (AP) Starter Rick Reuschel and reliever Bruce Sutler of the Chicago Cubs have been named to the National League Ail-Star team by Manager Sparky Anderson. The two Cub hurlers will be joined by Joaquin Andujar of Houston, John Can- delaria of Pittsburgh, Gary Lavelle of San Francisco, Steve Carlton of Philadelphia, Tom Seaver of Cincinnati and Don Sutton of Los Angeles when the NL takes on the American League Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium in New York. A big right-hander, Reuschel has posted a sparkling 12-3 record, best in the major leagues, while compiling a 2.08 earned run average.

He was named NL" Pitcher of the Month for June and has recorded a save in his only relief appearance. Sutler has been sensational in relief, winning five while losing one and recor- ding 23 saves, tops in the majors. The righthander also leads both leagues in with 1.15 and has appeared in 44 of Chicago's 84 games. While both Reuschel and Sutter will be making their first appearance in an All- Star game, Seaver has been named to the NL squad for the 10th time. Although he has no record in seven previous ap- 'Skins Didn't Want Boryla NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCHING STARS Rick Reuschel and Bruce Sutter of the Chicago Cubs have been named to the National League All-Star team.

They'll join Joaquin Andujar of Houston; Don Sutton of Los Angeles; Tom Seaver of Cin- cinnatti; Gary.Lavelle. San Francisco; John Candelaria, Pitt- sburgh; and Steve Carlton, Philadelphia; on the Squad. (AP Wirephoto) WASHINGTON (AP) Mike Boryla, the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, discussed the possibility of joining the Washington Redskins but never received an offer; a team spokesman said Wednesday. Tim Temerario, director of player personnel, said the former Philadelphia quarterback, along with his father, talked with the Redskins but nothing came of the discussions. "I never made him an offer of any kind," volunteered Temerario.

"They proposed money to me buM never made them a counteroffer. I never offered them ten cents." pearances, Seaver has struck, out 13 bat- ters in the 10 innings he has worked. Seaver, 9-5, was traded to Cincinnati by the New York Mets last month! He has struck out 106 batters in 138 innings while walking only 35. Others newcomers to the AllStar team are Andujar, Candelaria and Lavelle. Andujar, the colorful righthander, has become a favorite in Houston, where he has posted a 9-5 record.

As a rookie last Andujar defeated the World Champion Cincinnali Reds three times in a row. San Francisco's Lavelle is the left- handed reliever on the team. He has recorded 11 saves for the Giants to go along with his 6-4 record. Sutton is 10-3 this season for the West Division-leading Dodgers. He has struck out 80 and walked 42 in the 18 games he has started.

The Los Angeles right-hander will be appearing in his fourth All-Star game, being named to the mid-summer Classic in 1972,1973 and 1975. Carlton, 11-4 so far this season, was the winning pitcher in the 1969 All-Star game. He also was named to the NL team in 1969, 1971,1972 and 1974. UCLA All-American Reunion With Jabbar Lakers Fill Void, Wilkes Fulfills Dream LOS ANGELES (AP) Jamaal Wilkes had a boyhood dream come true and the Los Angeles Lakers filled an obvious need Wednesday when they signed the former UCLA All-American forward to a miiltiyear contract. Wilkes, 24, had said he wanted to play Youth Seeks Jump Record For Bicycles Young Rodney Louhoff will be what is reported to be a new Danville bicycle-jumping record July 29, when he will be attempting to clear 15 trash cans.

The bid record, reported to have been set about two years ago, is 14. Louhoff, 14, of 131 Watlington announced 6:30 July 29 as the time and a location near Cabin Creek as the site for his.at- tempt to break it. When questioned about the pending feat Tuesday, the young man said it was not influenced by the televised jumps of motorcyclist Evel Knievel, He claimed that his interest was aroused solely by his own love for bicycling and his recent discovery of the old record. There may be one obstacle, however. The youth has been unable to collect all 15 trash cans he needs for the jump.

He said Tuesday he will accept any help In finding the cam Danville citizens can offer, with the Lakers, explaining, "As a kid, I watched Elgin Baylor and Jerry West and I've always been excited about the Lakers." The 6-foot-6Vi star had played out his option with the Golden State Warriors. Terms of the contract were not divulged, but the acquisition gives the Los Angeles club more power on the front line as Wilkes joins another former UCLA All-American, center Kareem Abui-Jabbar. West, who became coach of the Lakers for Ihe 1976-77 season, commented, "Jamaal will help with our rebounding. I felt last year we were not a good rebounding team and there was too much pressure on Kareem." Even so, the Lakers wound up the regular season with the best won-loss record in the National Basketball Association before losing to eventual, champion Portland 4-0 in the playoffs. Wilkes said he had looked forward to playing with AbdulJabbar, and the latter had commented that he hoped Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke would succeed in landing the free agent.

Wilkes'attorney, Fred Slaughter, said the player and Cooke wanted terms to be kept between themselves, but explained, "It was not the financial kind of thing in this contract. Jamaal has wanted to play with Kareem, has wanted to return home and play before the fans who watched him The compensation the Lakers must make to the Warriors was not discussed. Under NBA rules, i( an agreement cannot be reached, a decision would be made by the league commissioner. Golden State Vice President Scotty Stirling, in Chicago for a meeting, said the Warriors would seek Abdul-Jabbar. Deferral Given Nets On Proposed Jaunt To New Jersey Site NEW LAKER FORWARD -Jamaal Wilkes answers questions at a press conference in Los Angeles Wednesday at which the Lakers announced they had signed hint to a-multi- year contract.

Wilkes had become a free agent after playing out his option with the Golden State Warriors last season. Coach Jerry West (right) is hoping the fi-foot-6 inch All-American, when he played for UCLA, will he the answer to the Laker's corner problem. (APWirephoto) CHICAGO (AP) The New York Nets received a deferral Wednesday their request for approval of their proposed move to New Jersey as the Board of Governors of the National Basketball Association voted to oppose any attack on "exclusive territorial rights" of one of its teams. The resolution came during a five-hour meeting and was favored by represen- tatives of all NBA teams present except for the Nets, who abstained. The Nets are battling with the New York Knickerbockers who'claim that, they have a legal agreement that prevents the Nets from playing in New Jersey.

The Nets have sued the Knicks in U.S. District Court in New Jersey over the matter, "There was no change In the Nets'status as a result of this meeting," NBA Com- missioner Larry O'Brien told newsmen afterwards. "Whatever it was this mor- ning it is the same this evening." But O'Brien said that the meeting was interrupted for discussions with both teams about the possibility of substituting binding arbitration for their court battle, which NBA owners fear could raise an- titrust problems for the league. Earlier, a federal appeals judge in New Jersey had turned down a bid by the Knicks for permission to take the legal conflict into state courts in New York; O'Brien said that he met separately with Mike Burke of the Knicks and Roy Boe of the Nets concerning possible arbitration. He said Boe indicated he might accept arbitration but only under certain con- ditions;.