Sadler, Spencer suit up for Monter

TALLADEGA, Ala. (August 8, 2000) -- Double duty on the NASCAR circuit may have a different meaning after visiting Talladega Superspeedway in October. Driving around Talladega Superspeedway at 200 mph would satisfy most thrill seekers, but not Elliott Sadler and Jimmy Spencer. In a normal race weekend at Talladega it would, but this October Sadler and Spencer will square off in a Monster Truck race on the eve of the NASCAR Winston Cup Winston 500.

At 8 p.m. on October 14, under temporary lights, the two NASCAR Winston Cup drivers will wrap their hands around the steering wheel of a Monster Truck. They weigh in at more than 10,000 pounds and are propelled by engines that generate 2,500 horsepower. These trucks can cover Talladegaís 600-foot course in less than ten seconds.

Sadler, who drives the No. 21 CITGO Ford for the Wood Brothers, is looking forward to returning to Talladega's 2.66-mile tri-oval. Sadler has never mashed the gas on a Monster Truck, but is looking forward to the high speed, high flying action.

"I think itís going to be awesome to drive a Monster Truck," stated Sadler. "I enjoy racing at Talladega so this just gives me one more reason to look forward to going there in October. I canít wait to race Jimmy on that Saturday night. Iím a competitor so my first goal is to beat Jimmy, but I really just want to have some fun."

The challenge is right up Mr. Excitementís alley. "Thereís a first for everything and I have never driven a Monster Truck," Spencer said. "Iíve driven a lot of things on four wheels, but never a Monster Truck. Itíll be neat."

The NASCAR duo will put on the exhibition as part of the ProMT Series, which concludes its eight-race season with that Saturday nightís racing. A field of 12 Monster Trucks, including names like Big Foot, the Executioner and Samson, will compete for a $25,000 purse. The event will be held in the trackís infield along the backstretch and can be viewed from the Allison Grandstand.