White
to Oppose Talented LIR Field
John White has
touched all the bases in his professional racing career. Starting as a
16-year old novice in 1966, White has become one of the nation's top
drivers.
But he'll have
his hands full next weekend when Lakeland International Raceway entertains
its third Summer Nationals.
Along with the
White's Houston Hustler, the Funny Car field will also include Norm Day,
driving Don Garlits' entry; Dave Condit in the L.A. Hooker; the Perry
Holt-Wayne McHaffey special; the Push-Motes entry piloted by Little Rock's
Ray Motes and nationally known "T.V.' Tommy Ivo.
LIR officials
have also arranged a best-of-three series between two wheelstanders, Bob
Perry's 'Hell on Wheels' and Bill 'Maverick' Golden's 'Little Red Wagon'
"We're
looking for this to be our biggest race thus far this year," said
Lakeland official Bill Taylor.
White spent two
years driving sprint cars and super modifieds before returning to drag
racing in 1970. Switching from a Mustang 426 to a Dodge, White finally
hit the big-time when he purchased the L.A. Hooker Mustang.
He ran the car
for two years, all the while moving his pace until he clocked :06.51 in
1975. The season ended, however, when the car burned after an
accident. White then purchased a 1976 Mustang II and got back on the
winning track.
White has run
in all three drag racing associations placing seventh in the American Hot
Rod Association and fourth in the National Hot Rod Association in
1976. He has been a regular feature in most of the nation's drag
racing magazines.
White, 27, will
pilot a 1977 Mustang II at Lakeland. One of his big wins this year
came in the Cajun Nationals at Baton Rouge, La.
It was a
headsup race all the way with White winning three straight times. His
time speed was 223 mph at an elapsed time of :06.20.
Ivo, a regular
at LIR, recently clocked :06.00, while Day is considered one of the nation's
top drivers.
Saturday's
program opens at noon with time trials going until 7:30 p.m.
Eliminations start at 8 Saturday night and at 1 p.m. Sunday.
LIR will offer
an $800 cash prize in super competition eliminations and stock-super stock
eliminations.
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