Local hero and U.S. Cycling Olympic Gold Medallist Marty Nothstein will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Nazareth 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on May 20th at Nazareth Speedway. As Grand Marshal, Nothstein will give drivers the command to start their engines and will participate in special pre-race ceremonies. Nothstein, a native of Trexlertown, Pa., is no stranger to the sport of cycling. Since he began racing in 1988, Nothstein has won two Olympic medals. He has also won medals at the World Track Cycling Championships as well as at the National Track Cycling Championships. Nothstein was at Nazareth Speedway the same day Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Hank Parker, Jr. Clay Rogers and Bobby Gerhart were testing for the race. Nothstein sees many similarities between his sport and NASCAR. “Not only do you have incredible speed, but you have a big pack of cars, so when you put the two together, it’s pretty overwhelming. These guys work hard and are great athletes. We use a lot of the same tactics. Our sport has some danger to it, too and we utilize drafting like racecar drivers do.” The Nazareth 200 will take place on Sunday, May 20. Qualifying and practice for the Service Electric 100 NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race and Nazareth 200 race will take place on Saturday, May 19.(Nazareth PR)(5-13-2001)
