Racing notes: Marlin knows wacky Darlington

Thursday, March 16, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

As a child, Sterling Marlin played in the infield at Darlington Raceway while his father, Coo Coo, competed.

Now, as a Winston Cup star, the younger Marlin does his playing on the track considered the toughest in NASCAR. He did it well enough to win the spring race in 1995.

So, he knows his way around the egg-shaped monster. But Marlin says that won't mean much Sunday in the Mall.com 400. It takes a super effort no matter how successful a driver has been on the 1.366-mile oval.

"I figure anybody who can win at Darlington probably ought to be changing into his uniform in a telephone booth and leaping tall buildings in a single bound," Marlin said. "It's a crazy place. Sometimes you have to turn right to go left."

Because the track is so difficult, Marlin is proud of having won there. He says most drivers know they never will.

"If you can win at Darlington, you can do just about anything," he said.

CART SIGNERS READY: CART, trying to be more fan friendly this year, is providing access to the drivers for autographs sessions at each of its 20 races, beginning with the season-opening Marlboro Grand Prix on March 26 in Homestead, Fla.

"At a time when athletes seem to be less and less accessible to the fans, as well as less and less willing to serve as role models, we are taking this consummate step," said Patrick Leahy, CART's senior vice president of marketing. "In effect, what we are doing is opening our locker room."

UNSER MAKING PITCH: The IRL, with so many four-figure crowds in its past, is hoping to stir up some interest this week for Sunday's event at Phoenix International Raceway.

A number of its drivers are making promotional appearances, among them Al Unser Jr.

The two-time Indy 500 champion's busy schedule includes appearances in the Chandler Ostrich Festival Parade, an exhibition baseball game, a Phoenix Suns game, and numerous autograph and photo sessions.

Unser, the longtime CART driver, joined the IRL this year. He finished 24th in his series debut Jan. 29 in Orlando, Fla.

COACH MILLER: Former American Speed Association champion Butch Miller is a busy man these days. He's getting ready to drive in the season-opening BF Goodrich Tires 200 on March 26 in Lakeland, Fla., and doing some coaching.

His student is A.J. Foyt's son, Larry, and Miller is impressed with what the rookie driver has learned so far.

"The neat thing about Larry is that when you watch him you can't tell what the car is doing because he is so smooth," Miller said.

SKINNER SURGERY: Winston Cup driver Mike Skinner had laser surgery Monday to correct the vision in his left eye.

Skinner will drive only in the Winston Cup race this Sunday in Darlington, S.C., with Morgan Shepherd taking his spot in the Busch Grand National event.

SMITH DRIVES OFF: Rick Smith resigned as crew chief for two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jim Yates to take a position as driver and team manager of KPK Motorsports.

KPK Motorsports is partially owned by Pro Stock driver Kenny Koretsky. Smith will compete in the 22 remaining events, running his own car at select events when Koretsky also is competing, and driving Koretsky's car in races the boss will miss.