There was a lot of tinkering Topside yesterday, as racers and their helpers put the finishing touches on their Soap Box Derby cars. The official safety check and weigh-in for 358 derby contestants began at 8 a.m. and continued through the early afternoon. Gary Nelson, chief inspector for NASCAR’s Winston Cup races, told a group of racers that the goal of inspections — whether for Akron’s downhill race or for the popular stock-car races — is the same: safety and fairness of competition. Nelson is new to the Soap Box Derby. He was in town as part of Goodyear’s involvement as national title sponsor. Though the cars he usually deals with go much faster and make a lot more noise, he was impressed with the derby cars. See full story at the Akron Beacon Journal: Competitors finish tweaking cars(7-19-2000) UPDATE: Dale Jarrett will meet with rally champions today and then with other derby division winners being brought to Akron from Camp Christopher. The Goodyear blimp Spirit of Goodyear is to be moored nearby for a picture of Jarrett with the derby racers. About 5 p.m., NASCAR drivers Ward Burton and Joe Nemechek and NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds will hold a question-and-answer session at the grandstands at Derby Downs. That part of the afternoon is open to the public(Akron Beacon Journal)(7-20-2000) UPDATE 2: Anyone who has tried to snap a large family reunion photo can appreciate Mike Steiner’s job of getting 358 Soap Box Derby champions into place for a photograph with NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett yesterday afternoon(Akron Beacon Journal)(7-21-2000)
