Lonesome Pine: Event preview

Goody'S Dash Series, heads for the mountains and Lonesome Pine.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. (May 3, 2002) - So far, the 2002 Season has taken the Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring to the beach, the lowcountry, and to the land of Tar Heel. With Lonesome Pine Speedway as the next stop on the schedule, it is time to head for the mountains of Virginia. The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2002.

Talk to anyone who has been to Coeburn, and you will receive a similar expression. "Lonesome Pine is one of the prettiest tracks. You drive up this mountain road, and it is so nice when you get up there on top where the track is located."

For one driver in particular, this is close to home. Tim Nichols, a guy known as the mountain man, has plenty to say about Lonesome Pine Raceway. "I have won in every kind of car I have ever raced at Coeburn," relates Nichols. "It is one of the most beautiful and true three-eighths mile race tracks you will ever lay eyes on. It has two distinct grooves. You can get your car to work on either the bottom or on the top, which ever suits your driving style. Yep, I am happy about being close to home." When asked if his experience at Coeburn gives him the edge to capture his first Series win, Nichols responded with a sincere look of focused determination. There was no verbal response, but the look said it for him. No doubt a win at Lonesome Pine would be a sweet experience for Nichols and his Highland Motorsports Team.

The Goody's Dash Series first visited the Coeburn track in the fall of 1983. The show was a double-header. Larry Hoopaugh won both events. Michael Waltrip sat on the Bud Pole for the first race. The Series returned to the track in 1992, Johnny Chapman was the winner. And the last time the Series raced at Coeburn was June 5, 1993. George Crenshaw won that event and Mickey York sat on the Pole.

Track promoters, Gloria and Larry Barbare have pulled out all the stops to make this a nice event for the Series and the fans. This is the Barbare's first season at Coeburn. They relocated to the Lonesome Pine Raceway at the end of last season.

The track is located 5.5 miles east of US 23 on ALT US 58, then 0.8 miles SE on SR 813. Somewhere, up on top of a mountain.

NASCAR.com is the official website of NASCAR. Click on the Touring Series tab and visit nascartouring.com/goodysdashseries/ for all the latest news and statistics for the Goody's Dash Series and all of the NASCAR Touring divisions.

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