NASCAR notes: Position means everything at Bristol

NASCAR NOTES

Running up front key at Bristol

Robbie Loomis, director of racing for Richard Petty Motorsports, said yesterday that Bristol Motor Speedway isn't big enough for 43 cars.

So, those qualifying up front in today's Food City 500, he says, have a better shot at victory today, especially considering the resurfaced .533-mile racetrack is even more challenging.

"You've got to first finish to finish first," Loomis said. "Track position is a big [key], so it's nice to qualify well."

In fact, the race winner has started from the pole 22 times. Emporia's Elliott Sadler came from the 38th position to win here in 2001, the farthest anyone has come from the pack to take the checkered flag. Sadler, now driving for RPM, will start 22nd today.

Petty to honor paralyzed veterans

Paralyzed Veterans of America announced today that it will hold the first "King's Cup Karting for a Cause" event May 19 at The Pit Indoor Kart Racing facility in Mooresville, NC. The event will feature a four-hour endurance go-kart race, along with appearances by Richard Petty and other Richard Petty Motorsports drivers, entertainment and a silent auction.

Petty is the honorary chairman of the event. Among his duties will be to wave the green flag to start the endurance race. This event is a continuation of his three-year relationship with Paralyzed Veterans that also has taken him to several veterans hospitals to meet with injured troops.

"I've seen firsthand the sacrifices that our troops make so that we can enjoy our freedom," stated Petty. "It has been a real eye-opening experience to learn that there are still places around the country that are not wheelchair accessible and that there are some veterans that are not getting the care that they need. Paralyzed Veterans of America works round the clock to change this situation."

Said Randy L. Pleva, Sr., national president of Paralyzed Veterans: "The King's Cup will be a great way to get the NASCAR community involved in our mission, to have fun and to raise much needed funds for America's paralyzed veterans.

"We have enjoyed an outstanding partnership with Richard Petty and we are honored to have him as the honorary chairman of the event. His presence brings attention to the great work that we do every day for all veterans. We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for a helping hand."

BMS' sellout streak remains in jeopardy

For the first time in 55 Sprint Cup events, Bristol Motor Speedway officials are facing the possibility of not selling out a race. There remained an unspecified number of unsold tickets yesterday afternoon.

A sign of the economic impact on NASCAR is that tickets for the Food City 500 are being scalped at face value. In years past, ticket-holders could command much more even for general admission tickets.

However, track officials are optimistic that it will achieve its 55th consecutive sellout - the longest streak among all of the NASCAR venues. Richmond International Raceway had sold out 33 consecutive races before Tropical Storm Hanna delayed the fall race for a day.

Lug nuts

Benny Gordon, who qualified 26th for the Nationwide event, was disqualified minutes before the start of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 because NASCAR officials said he used an unapproved type of fuel. . . . Manchester High grad Denny Hamlin posted the fastest speed (123.372 mph) during happy hour. Hamlin will start 24th today. - Ralph N. Paulk