Roush, classic cars bring spectators to square

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Sunny skies greeted the Great Race as it made its much-anticipated pit stop on the courthouse square in Greencastle Wednesday morning.

The race brought in more than 100 antique cars and 250 people, attracting many spectators to the National Guard-sponsored event.

Roush Racing also helped draw various people as Nascar Nextel Cup team owner Jack Roush joined his family on the road to navigate their National Guard-sponsored car.

One couple came to the event just to see Roush, but they got there just as he was driving away on the timed journey. Regardless Betsy Adams of Greencastle said she was more than glad to have the race pit stop on the square.

"It's just exciting to have something like this right here," Adams said.

Roush told the BannerGraphic this type of race is different than any other with different elements emphasized.

"Geography, topography, and people are the most interesting," Roush said.

His daughter Susan McClenaghan is navigating Georgetta, the family's 1939 Ford two door convertible deluxe. She agrees with her father, saying she enjoys the scenery of the race that takes place on America's rural roads. "Not from an airplane or interstate," McClenaghan said.

Oddly enough, Roush's daughter was talked into joining the race first by a good friend of her father's who had an interest in the Great Race. She and her father's friend then put a team together in 1998.

Roush said his daughter was the curator of their museum where they have more than 150 cars. He thought this would be a great experience and an opportunity to share what they have with other people, such as Dan Holmes of Greencastle.

Holmes said he enjoys getting to watch and listen to the antique cars run.

"You just don't get to see these kinds of cars out on the road," Holmes said. "That's how it used to be."

Yet, the race is a little different than just driving. Each car has a driver, but each car also has a navigator, like Roush and McClenaghan. The navigators come up with the driving strategies.

The race is mathematical. Each navigator has to be precise in measuring distance with time. The navigator also has to determine what speed to drive and even how fast the driver needs to brake, Roush said.

Roush, who was a math major, also called the race a "challenge of competing against your own time."

The race is not about being the fastest, as in most races. This race is an "accuracy race," said Sharon Tocco, one of Roush's liaisons.

"It's like the Marines," said Dean McClenaghan, another of Roush's liaisons and Susan's brother-in-law. "To finish is to win."

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