The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 21

mmm THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11 1999 SB Earnhardt races right on by No 600 Milestone for starts be last Harrison Brown 7 of Atlanta had hoped to see Jamal Anderson at MARY ANN CHASTAINAssociated Press practice Tuesday Falcons delay meeting after Anderson fails to show up By DAVID POOLE Staff Writer Dale Earnhardt will make his 600th consecutive Winston Cup start Sunday at Watkins Glen and the seven-time Winston Cup champion says race fans should expect that streak to keep going well beyond that milestone feel any older for sure" said Earnhardt 48 excited about racing and feel good about Earnhardt scored the 72nd Winston Cup victory of his career this year at Talladega and last weekend clinched the championship in this International Race of Champions series But he has not won a non-restrictor plate Cup race since the spring race at Atlanta in 1996 day on top of the world and the next day not winning and somebody is ready to retire said Earnhardt who said he and car owner Richard Childress are working on extending their deal that now runs through the 2000 season still feel like we can win championships and win races We feel good about what doing and feel good about our chances to win races trying to turn the comer and maybe get another championship in the book before we quit As much as he has accomplished in racing Earnhardt said it is still difficult to figure out what it is that brings success in the sport so competitive he said tougher to win than it has ever been Look at me We were on top for so long We got sidelined with some things and taken some time to get back on the game You put your finger on it do you go out and race and not win and why all of a sudden do you win? I got in the IROC cars and won three out of four races How do you judge if the car or the driver or the crew chief or the engine guy or components in between? I think why guys out there who won if they ever got with the right combination of car engine guy crew chief owner be a winner hard to say why this guy may never win or why he wins Rusty Wallace is not winning as regular as he used to not winning as regular as I used to but Bobby Labonte and Jeff Burton and Dale Jarrett and these guys are all of a sudden on the game Why? because everything is working for them The team engine guy crew chief everything is working for A PIONEER: Racing said goodbye to one of its true pioneers Tuesday at the funeral for Clyde Dedmon in Harris Dedmon promoted races at a number of short-tracks in the Carolinas He owned the half-mile dirt track in Harris known as Hillview Speedway and then right across the road built one of the first asphalt tracks in the region and called it Harris Speedway He also operated tracks in Shelby Ruther-fordton Gaffney and Lancaster among others was a really innovative promoter and one of the pioneers in dirt-track said Mo tor Speedway President HA Wheeler who drove in races at Harris Speedway forte was grassroots racing He knew what the weekly race fan wanted He did a lot for the GIBBS GROWING: Joe Gibbs Racing plans to add a second Grand National team in the 2000 season provided a sponsor can be found The team has already announced plans to put open-wheel star Jason Lefler into its existing Grand National car next season Joe Gibbs Racing also fields the Winston Cup Pontiacs for drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart CRAVEN ON BOARD: Midwest Transit Racing has signed Ricky Craven to drive its No 50 Chevro-lets for the rest of the 1999 Winston Cup season Craven has been in the car for three races with a best finish of 13th at New Hampshire International Speedway last month HITCH A RIDE: Darlington (SC) Raceway still has some spots available for its next Driving session Aug 20-21 If like to see how you would do in a race car around one of Winston Cup toughest tracks call (843) 395-8499 for information There also are tickets left for the Southern 500 and its accompanying events on Labor Day weekend Sept 3-5 For information or to place an order call the number listed above You can also buy tickets online at wwwdarlington-racewaycom AROUND THE TRACKS: Robert Huffman scored another victory Saturday in the NASCAR Dash series leading all 102 laps to win at Myrtle Beach Speedway Jimmy Britts Jr the rookie of the year points leader was second Huffman leads Jake Hobgood by 347 points in the Dash series standings Ricky Hendrick son of Winston Cup team owner Rick Hendrick won a 75-lap late model stock race Saturday night at Concord Motorsport Park Jeff Meen-dering of Concord was second Mike Glover of Charlotte won the 25-lap street stock race and Jimmy Johnson of Concord won the 25-lap mini-stock race Shane Huffman continued his hot streak at Hickory Motor Speedway winning the late model stock feature for the 14th time in 18 races Tres Wilson finished second and Jason Jarrett was third Other Hickory winners were Dexter Canipe Jr (limited sportsman) Mark Setzer (super trucks) Josh Bustle (mini-sports) and Marshall Sutton (super sport) James Galloway won the late model feature at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia with Jerry Oliver (modified 4) Keith Patterson (stock V8) Henry Duffield (pro stock 4) Jeff Baks (thunder lightning and Larry Reep (semi-modified 4) also taking victories At East Lincoln Tim Sigmon scored a victory in the late model feature Other winners were Damon Crump (semi-modified 4) Brian Roseman (sprint) Billy Thompson (stock V8) Daryl McLaughlin (modified 4) Shawn Martin (thunder lightning and Travis Childress (stock 4) Observer News Services GREENVILLE sc The Jamal Anderson Watch turned into a frenzy Tuesday Too bad the All-Pro running back around Anderson refusing to report to the Atlanta Falcons training camp until he receives a new contract pushed back his face-to-face meeting with coach Dan Reeves and general manager Harold Richardson until today Dozens of reporters converged on Furman hoping to get a glimpse of the man who played a key role in the Super Bowl season But the California-based agent Jim Sims said he had trouble getting a flight to Green-viHe so the meeting was delayed 24 hours Sims reached in Atlanta late Tuesday said he would ask the Falcons to trade Anderson if a deal be reached today The agent first raised the trade possibility a couple of weeks ago when his client refused to report to training camp we get it done I think from that point on really have to push the trade Sims said not As he did several weeks ago Reeves flatly rejected the idea of trading Anderson meet with them and he get the coach vowed Reeves seemed perturbed by all the attention devoted to his star running back who is refusing to play out the final year of his current contract for $26 million The Falcons signed comer- NFL NOTEBOOK back Rod Smith and wide receiver JT Thomas both free agents Smith 29 had 61 tackles and three interceptions in 14 games including two starts with the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers last season Around the league ARIZONA: Chris injured right elbow and neck injuries to Aeneas Williams and Zack Walz were the biggest concerns among a long list of players who were hurting at training camp DENVER: Even though Bubby first pass was intercepted and he went 2-for-7 for 13 yards in exhibition opener coach Mike Shanahan said Brister is the first-string quarterback Broncos linebacker John Mobley will have to do 24 hours of community service and undergo an alcohol evaluation following his car accident Mobley flipped his 1997 Jaguar on June 23 in suburban Douglas County about 30 miles southeast of Denver INDIANAPOLIS: Running back Edgerrin James has already missed more than two weeks of camp and exhibition at Chicago and there was no word of progress in his stalled contract tslks KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs claimed linebacker Tim Terry a day after he was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals Terry 25 was on practice squad during the 1998 season PANTHERS NOTEBOOK DB loses season not faith Booth: Injury a setback be By CHARLES CHANDLER Staff Writer Spartanburg Rookie comer-back Tony Booth says he allow his season-ending knee injury to break his spirit vowing to return next season as a better player going to pick up where I left Booth said look forward to coming back This type of thing happens all the time got good strong faith in God and good strong faith in myself just a minor setback to Booth who had been having an excellent training camp is scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee in about four weeks His recovery time is estimated at six months injury was a severe blow to the secondary He was in the nickel package and was the front-runner to be the No 3 comerback behind Eric Davis and Doug Evans Booth joked that he realize how much been impressing his coaches and teammates until he read their comments in newspapers Tuesday morning The injury occurred when Booth was playing in the goalline defense He was pursuing a run sweep when offensive lineman Michael Lies tripped over a teammate and fell into knee knew something was Booth said I was lying on the ground I said God not going to lose faith in we are put in situations and not to be questioned You know why things happen all the time for a reason This stop me be back definitely be Booth said his teammates helped him handle the initial shock and that he came to terms with the situation when he was alone in his dorm room at Wofford Monday night Barrow came by and talked to me and we prayed said Booth that door shut and he went back to his room and I was in the room alone I was left there to reaUy think about it was the most emotional point I hit It was a little tough It was hard but I know something got to deal with and get through God put this situation on a strong person This experience is going to teach me how strong I am how dedicated I am and how tough I Booth said he plans to spend the season in Charlotte rehabilitating and trying to support the team going to become a coach this year stay close to the game and become a he said be right there with the boys LogicaUy nothing I can do for them physically so no need to ciy over spilled milk But I can be there for them spiritually and mentally what I plan to do be right on those sidelines cheering them PLAYING TIME: Coach George Seifert said he and his assistant coaches decided how to divide playing time in exhibition opener at Jacksonville but he expects Steve Beuerlein to start at quarterback Jeff Lewis is expected to play extensively and Seifert indicated that Dameyune Craig likely would play In addition to Booth the Panthers probably will be without several prominent players because of injuries including defensive ends Antonio Edwards (patella tendinitis) and Jason Peter (hip flexor) defensive tackle Tim Morabito (groin) safety Mike Minter (concussion) linebacker Kinnon Tatum (shoulder) and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (hamstring) Minter returned to Spartanburg Tuesday after spending Monday night at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte He suffered the concussion in Monday practice when he collided with guard Anthony Redmon GOOD NEWS: Starting wideout Rae Carruth returned to practice Monday after being sidelined since Aug 4 with a sprained ankle PRIME-TIME DRILLS: The Panthers wiU have their first evening practice of training camp tonight Seifert scheduled a 7:30 workout scheduled to last 60 to 90 minutes That will be preceded by an 8:45 am practice Both are open to the public Seifert said he wants to practice at night to get some of the players used to being under the lights since play the Jaguars at night on Friday A prominent role could be at fingertips NEW YORK GIANTS: Running back LeShon comeback from cancer was put on hold when he had surgery to reattach a tom ligament in his right thumb MINNESOTA: Coach Dennis Green believes in second chances just maybe not for Dimitrius Underwood who went AWOL after his first pro practice on Aug 2 Underwood flew to Minneapolis Tuesday where Green will decide his fate NEW YORK JETS: Ray Lucas who has spent most of his three seasons as a special teams star wiU get a majority of the time at quarterback in the opening exhibition against Green Bay PITTSBURGH: Former Steeler Carlton Haselrig whose career was ended by a series of disappearances and substance abuse problems was jailed on outstanding warrants on charges that he and another man created a disturbance at a Johnstown Pa credit union SAN DIEGO: Although the medical prognosis suggests otherwise injured quarterback Ryan Leaf said he hopes to return to play by mid-season Leaf was back at the training camp for a second day as he recovers from the shoulder injury that was expected to sideline him for perhaps the entire season SAN FRANCISCO: 49ers Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young will rejoin the team on the practice field this week coach Steve Mariucci said return will come less than nine months after undergoing surgery to repair two broken bones in his right leg and uses his body really well and catches the Hayes said the (defensive back) is on me and I shake him off the line I need to try to use my body to try to keep his separation from the ball so I can catch With Muhammad sidelined with a hamstring injury Hayes could play extensively in Friday exhibition opener at Jacksonville The Panthers need development to continue since they lost Rocket Ismail last leading receiver to Dallas in free agency Hayes is wearing former jersey number 81 after wearing 88 last season Hayes said he request the switch and consider it significant number make the he said player makes the Wheeler bringing back racing on dirt with his new track Carolina Panthers defensive back Michael Swift (right) tries to slow down Donald Hayes in practice Tuesday PANTHERS from ib Seifert declined when asked to expound really want to he said want to play into the hands of the Hayes a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin in the 1998 draft was a fan favorite during the preseason last year But he got minimal playing time in the regular season appearing in seven games and making three catches for 62 yards His numbers could be much bigger this year especiaUy since the Panthers want to use a four-receiver set more than last season he continues to work and improve the way he is now yes be a receivers coach Richard WiUiams said more success he has and I think true in most people the more confidence he gains making some good things happen His route-running has gotten a lot better Hopefully see him a lot If he continues to make plays find a spot for Hayes said encouraged but knows stiU got much to learn feel pretty good about going on out there and what I see on tape of me making he said still not making a lot of plays I should make There are routine catches that maybe I might drop but then maybe catch three or four in a row and drop another one a lot to be done and to get corrected in my game trying to get Beuerlein said size potentially could give the Panthers an imposing target for opposing defenses understands that bigger than most of those guys out there and he can use that to his Beuerlein said he is attacking more I think using his body in a way you would hope a receiver ican motorsports behind Winston Cup Grand National Championship Auto Racing Teams and National Hod Rod Association in attendance The sprint cars used in the series weigh about 1200 pounds and have 410-cubic-inch engines that generate 800 horsepower The tires have deep criss-cross tread patterns and the right-rear is actually wider than the chassis itself Those features along with the distinctive 25-square-foot top wing that acts like a giant air foil help the cars make broadsided power slides through the turns on dirt tracks Speedway Motorsports the parent company of Motor Speedway bought the Las Vegas track last year That complex already includes a dirt track where the Outlaws run in conjunction with its Winston Cup race It was there this year that the idea of adding a similar track here was bom Speedway Motorsports officials are expected to announce today plans for a similar track at Texas Motor Speedway is the hottest thing going in Wheeler said found that out in Las Vegas because I had to sell tickets and people were throwing $100 bills at you as fast as they could We had 12000 tickets and we sold out a return to what racing used to be like guys out there broadsiding around the track running three abreast a lot of action The guys are characters and sort of a throwback to what stock car racing was in the and Everybody wants a taste of DIRT from IB learned the tricks of the racing trade The new dirt track which will be built between Motor Speedway and Rocky River Golf Club in an area near camping facilities used by race fans at the Charlotte track will have 70-footwide straightaways and turns banked between 12 and 16 degrees It will be surrounded by a television-quality lighting system and for starters by 12500 seats with plenty of room for that to grow there will be no dust even if I have to drown the said Wheeler who years ago tried to make sure of that at the dirt tracks he worked where driving the truck that watered down the surface was part of a job The World of Outlaws cars will race here for the first time on May 26 the Thursday night before next Coca-Cola 600 There will be another race the next night then races on the Thursday and Friday nights before October Winston Cup event The dirt track might also be used for an American Motorcycle Association supercross event and other special events but Wheeler said it will not be used on a weekly basis so as not to provide competition for various stock-car short tracks in the region The World of Outlaws series is a form of open-wheel competition that last year drew 17 million spectators ranking it fifth in Amer Beuerlein said Hayes is especially dangerous on slants and crossing routes across the middle of the field fast enough to get up on the (defender) and getting really quick coming off his said Beuerlein a huge target for a quarterback to find in there a lot easier to find a 6-foot-4 guy coming across the middle than it is to find a 5-foot-10 guy think get better and better too on the outside going up for balls over defensive backs because naturally got that Hayes said one of the NFL receivers he most admires and tries to pattern his game after is Herman Moore also tall and physical big tall runs the routes i 1.