Joe Gibbs is going to race Friday in Hampton.
Gibbs, a NASCAR car owner and Hall of Fame National Football League coach, isn't fielding a car for somebody else this time. He will drive in a 20-lap Arena Racing match race against Norm Miller, chairman of Dallas-based Interstate Batteries, a longtime sponsor of Gibbs' Sprint Cup operation.
Gibbs and Miller are supporters of Arena Racing. They agreed to this one-on-one challenge in conversations with Arena Racing USA founder Ricky Dennis of Richmond. What exactly is at stake in the match race?
"If I win," said Miller, "I get to lord it over Joe forever."
The event is part of Friday's racing card at the Hampton Coliseum. Races start at 7:30 p.m. Dennis said the two match racers will be available to sign autographs before the race.
Miller said he is likely to be ignored while fans mob Gibbs, who led the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl championships and whose racing team is one of the most successful on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit.
"That's going to put pressure on Joe," Miller said in a phone interview. "It'll make him nervous. I'll have the advantage."
The race isn't a match of youngsters. Miller is 70, Gibbs 68.
"He's the young one," said Miller. "They should give me a head start."
Gibbs could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Arena racing features drivers in smaller versions of stock cars on a portable indoor track. Miller noted that veteran drivers hit nearly 50 mph and can whip around the track in just eight seconds.
"If I'm going to have a chance to win," said Miller, "I'll have to race hard. Joe is competitive. He doesn't want to lose at anything. I thought I was competitive until I met Joe."
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 free with a paying adult, military personnel with an ID half price.
Visit the Arena Racing's Web site -- www.arenaracingusa.com -- for more information.
-- Randy Hallman
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