FEATHERLITES MAKE L.A. DEBUT TODAY; NASCAR STARS MARTIN, SCHRADER AMONG DRIVERS.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News Expect to see Winston Cup star Mark Martin roaring down the streets of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. today, just not in his familiar No. 6 Valvoline Ford. Instead, Martin is driving a newly built Ford Taurus Not to be confused with Ford Taunus. The Ford Taurus is currently a full-size, front-wheel drive or all wheel drive automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in North America. in a rare appearance in the NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Featherlite Southwest Tour. Fellow Winston Cup competitors Kenny Schrader and Chad Little Chad Little (born April 23, 1963 in Spokane, Washington) is a former NASCAR driver. He holds a degree in marketing from Washington State University, and a law degree from Gonzaga University. While attending Washington State University he joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. are also racing in the Kragen Z-One 200, the featured event of the Ford Los Angeles Street Los Angeles Street is a historic avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Traffic on the street travels northbound only, from the I-10 Freeway in the south of downtown, through the Fashion District, and on through Little Tokyo, where it ends after passing between LAPD Race, at 2:30 p.m. The three raced in the Winston Cup Southern 500 in Darlington, S.C., Sunday. They made the overnight trip to compete in the 124.6-mile race along the 1.4-mile street circuit around Exposition Park Exposition Park is the name of more than one place:
It's the third race in three days for Martin, who is second to Jeff Gordon Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is a professional American race car driver. He was born in Vallejo, California, raised in Pittsboro, Indiana, and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. in the Winston Cup standings. On Saturday, Martin finished eighth in the Busch Grand National Duralube 200 in Darlington. After finishing 40th in the Southern 500 on Sunday - he had engine problems that forced him out with 49 laps to go - look for Martin to try to redeem himself today. He had not seen or driven his Roush-built Featherlite Southwest Tour car before arriving in California on Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. . ``There is nothing you can do physically in the short term to prepare physically for this,'' said Martin, 39. ``It's more about your lifestyle. If you eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise and take care of yourself on a regular basis, a trip like this is not quite as bad.'' The Kragen Z-One 200 marks several firsts for Martin. The race is Martin's first Southwest Tour event and his first competition on a street course. He is also making his debut on the television series ``Baywatch,'' which will use footage for an upcoming episode featuring Martin. ``He will be at a disadvantage, but a guy like that can jump in about anything and win,'' Southwest Tour driver Keith Spangler of Northridge said. ``He didn't get where he is by not being able to drive.'' Ford L.A. Street Race organizers are banking on Martin, Schrader and Little to add prestige and interest to the Featherlite Southwest Series event. It has also become the most anticipated event for the rookie-level drivers of the Southwest Series, one of the lowest level NASCAR tours. In addition for an opportunity to rub bumpers with the Winston Cup greats, the race features the largest purse in series history, $153,300. ``Everybody is talking about it,'' Southwest Tour driver Frank Maronski of Quartz Hill said. ``It's the biggest event of the series. It's like a Little Leaguer getting a chance to make three pitches to Mark McGwire It won't be that easy for Martin, Schrader and Little. NASCAR prohibits them from starting higher than 26th in the 40-driver field, because they missed Sunday's qualifying. ``It's their bread and butter. We're not going to dominate the race,'' Little said. ``I don't think we can win, but we can be competitive. Top 10 is a possibility. I'm out there to have fun and put on a show. I'm taking the race seriously, but not as seriously as Sunday's race.'' The Featherlite Southwest Series, a lower NASCAR touring division, was established in 1986. The cars are similar in shape to Winston Cup series vehicles but smaller and less powerful. Today's race is the first street race in Los Angeles in the 50-year history of NASCAR and the lone street competition in the 17-race Southwest season. Schrader might have an edge among the Winston Cup drivers on the challenging Exposition Park layout with narrow, tight turns and bumpy streets. Schrader, who races in the Busch Grand National Series in addition to the Winston Cup, drives in several Southwest Series races each season. He has won for the third time at Phoenix in February and has also triumphed at Sears Point Sears Point is a prominent landform jutting into the historic reaches of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County, California, USA. This hill is the southernmost peak of the Sonoma Mountains and forms the southwestern ridge above Tolay Lake. on the Southwest Tour. Pursley takes pole: Greg Pursley won the pole position Sunday for today's race. Pursley averaged 79.120 mph for one lap in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American mid-size car. Originally introduced by Chevrolet for the 1970 model year (as competition with the Ford Thunderbird), it has gone through six generations as of 2007. , to earn the pole ahead of Featherlite Southwest Series regular Kurt Busch of Las Vegas, who drove 77.970 mph in the same model car. Roger Mears Jr. of Bakersfield, the nephew of Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears, was third fastest at 77.671 mph, also in a Chevy Monte Carlo. DRIVE TIME What: Ford Los Angeles Street Race When: Today Where: Exposition Park Facts: The Kragen Z-One 200 this afternoon at 2:30 culminates the three-day event three-day event a competition in the pleasure horse sport comprising usually one day each for dressage, cross country and show jumping. . Winston Cup Series drivers Mark Martin, Kenny Schrader and Chad Little will compete in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series event on a 1.4 mile course, past the Coliseum, USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. and the California ScienCenter. Racing begins at 8 a.m. and includes competition in the American City Racing League, Ultra Wheel Truck and Porsche Professional Racers Organization divisions. Information: (310) 444-5544 CAPTION(S): Box BOX: DRIVE TIME (see text) |
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