Carter Will Drive Local Nascar Truck

Pancho Carter has always driven a truck to work. Now he’s going to drive one at work.

Carter will be the driver of a locally owned Chevy that will compete on the inaugural NASCAR Super Truck racing series. The association was announced at a Tuesday afternoon press conference at Knudtsen Chevrolet.

Truck No. 99, owned by Spokanebased Enerjetix Motorsports, will make its debut Sunday, March 19, at Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The 20-race series, sponsored by Craftsman, began last month in Phoenix, and Enerjetix intends on racing in the remaining 19 events.

“Everything gets raced. How trucks got overlooked for so long, I don’t know,” said Carter, third at the Indianapolis 500 in 1982 and Indy pole-sitter in 1985. Carter will continue limited driving on the Winston Cup circuit. “It’s only natural. A lot of people in the country drive trucks, and I can see where fan appeal would be there.”

Enerjetix plans to enter a second truck, to be operated by Spokane’s Gary Herrin, at midseason, and possibly a third in late October or in 1996.

“All indications are that this thing could grow as large as, or close to, Winston Cup,” said Enerjetix owner Richard Balestrieri. “This series has already taken off.”

“Many of the top Winston Cup teams also have Super Truck teams, so the competition is going to be extremely intense,” said Mike Fitzsimmons, of Thunder Marketing Services in Spokane, which will handle publicity and marketing for Enerjetix. “When you’re running against guys that are in these, you got to have a top-of-the-line racer like Pancho. It’s as simple as that.”

Enerjetix also announced plans to compete on the Featherlite Southwest Tour and Winston Northwest Tour.

Knudtsen Chevrolet and Spokane’s Camp Chevrolet will serve as parts supplier on the truck series.

The Sears Point race will be televised by TNN. All series races will be televised, either by ABC, TNN, ESPN or CBS.

Golf

The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course will open today on 18 permanent greens, pro Mark Gardner said. Tee times are being accepted by calling 448-9317.