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ARCA Bondo Mar-Hyde Series Reese's 400K: Friday Notebook

14 November 1997

 ARCA Super Car Series
 Notebook
 November 14, 1997
 Atlanta Motor Speedway
 Hampton, GA 

QUALIFYING RAINED OUT

Inclement weather forced ARCA officials to cancel this weekend's qualifying 
session. The first 25 starting positions were set according to current car 
owner point standings while the remaining 15 spots were filled according to 
order of registration and arrival in the garage area.

C.W. SMITH CRASHES DURING PRACTICE

C.W. Smith was involved in a horrific crash during this afternoon's ARCA 
practice session at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Smith's No. 28 C&E Containers 
Chevrolet spun coming out of turn four, backed into the pit wall and burst 
into flames. Several spectators scaled the wall and pulled Smith out of his 
car and to safety. The 50-year old retired Pennsylvania State Trooper was 
checked out at the track's infield care center and released with a clean bill
of health. Smith had been slated to start tomorrow's Reese's 400K 34th on the 
grid. 

CREW MAN INJURED

C.J. Axio, a crewman for the No. 27 ARCA team and driver Ed Kennedy, suffered 
a fractured lower left tibia and minor abrasions in an accident in the garage 
area today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team was attempting to load their 
Chevrolet on the hauler when a cable snapped and the car rolled over onto the 
Grapevine, TX resident. Axio was transported to Southern Regional Medical 
Center where x-rays revealed the leg fracture but a CAT scan showed no head 
injuries. The 44-year old is expected to make a full recovery. 


Lori Vizza -- The Auto Channel