''Historic'' Montgomery runs on Saturday

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 17, 2000) Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring competitors have seen some outstanding female drivers who have proven their abilities and established themselves as tough to beat throughout the history of the series.

For NASCAR 2000, Angie Wilson of Nebo, N.C., is trying to meet the challenges of two of her predecessors, and she'll have the next opportunity when the series races at the Montgomery Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Saturday's event marks only the second time these cars have competed on the historic .500-mile oval.

Two female competitors made NASCAR history in this division in 1988 when Karen Schulz became the first female driver to lead a green flag lap on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. As a matter of fact she led two laps and recorded a runner-up finish to eventual winner Larry Caudill, a two-time Goody's Dash Series champion.

Four months later, Shawna Robinson became the first female to win a NASCAR Touring event when she crossed the finish line first in Asheville, N.C. Schulz recorded a fourth place finish in that same event. Robinson went on to an excellent career with the NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division and today is a regular competitor in the Automobile Racing Club of America Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series.

Wilson, in her second full year of competition with NASCAR's production compact sedan division drives a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. The Sunfire, Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar and Toyota Celica are eligible models competing in the Goody's Dash Series.

"I really enjoy driving in this series," said Wilson, who is known as 'Killer' among her peers because of her competitive driving style. "At Daytona these cars ran over 165 mph and drafting was important. But on a short track it is the driver's skill that makes a difference. We finished 11th in points in 1999 and I believe it is time to make a statement with this team.

"I don't ask for anything special racing with the guys. I just want to be respected as a racer and I believe I have earned that respect. When I first started last year I felt like a stranger but as the year progressed it got better. Then when I was voted 'Most Popular' I knew they accepted me."

Racing today is a business and there is little doubt that this petite lady with a Business Administration Degree has her business plan organized and moving forward.