Melvin Swisher now can claim something in common with a second Winston Cup driver. Swisher, 66, has been quick to boast for years that he has the same birth date (July 2) as Richard Petty. He gained common ground of sorts with Jerry Nadeau this week. Both were patients at the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, recovering from wrecks in which they suffered severe head injuries. The difference is that modified veteran Swisher is moving toward the end of his stay and expects to return to his Kernersville home as Nadeau begins his therapy. Swisher slammed into the end of a wall during a March 29 crash at Caraway Speedway and was treated at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for six weeks.( High Point Enterprise )(5-29-2003)
