McFarland Wins Again…………………July 12, 2003
The only thing that seems to be able to stop Mark McFarland from winning is the weather.
Twin 50 lap features were scheduled for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock
Cars Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway, and McFarland rumbled to his 8th
win in 2003, taking home the checkers in the first 50 lap event. McFarland followed early
leader Andreas Kestermann for several laps before powering his Popeye’s Chicken Dodge
past the Chevy of Kestermann coming out of turn 4. After that it was a battle for the
runner up spot between Kestermann and Jack Bailey. Bailey, who was racing with his
thoughts on his father as they transported him to a nearby hospital after falling ill just
prior to the event, held off Mike Southard to take home the third spot. At the time of
this release, Jack Bailey Sr. has was reported to have suffered a stroke and was flown to
Fairfax Hospital were he is undergoing tests. Any further word on his condition will be
released as necessary. The second Late Model race was in the pace lap stages until Mother
Nature decided that it was enough racing for one night. The skies opened up and drenched
the crowd at the famed 3/8 mile oval, prompting track officials to cancel the second
feature. Prior to the rains, the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stocks competed in a 50 lap
event, with Chris Donnelly holding off a hard charging Willard Lawrence to take home his 4th
win of the season. Lawrence came home 2nd, while Jerry Black and Ron Jardine
rounded out the top 4. Tom Beckman took home the win in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature.
Beckman led flag to flag, holding off the challenges of point leader Mike Carte for the
win. (NOTE: The finishing order of the Mini Stock race from 6/28 has been made official.
Apparent winner Vince Langan was disqualified for an illegal intake manifold, thus giving
the win to Tom Beckman. Johnny Lowery wound up 2nd, followed by Mike Carte. The
points on the ODS website are current to reflect this change). James Lucas took home his
second win in a row, leading flag to flag in the 25 lap event for the Gaston Automotive
Speedway Sportsman. Jamie DeMattio came up a few car lengths short and finished 2nd.
And Alvin Hatcher led every lap and took home the win in the special Baby Grand 25 lap
feature.
Next
Saturday night is “Dodge Night At The Races” featuring the Legends cars. They
will compete in a 30 lap feature, along with twin 75 lap Late Model events, a 50 lap
feature for the Grand Stocks, 30 laps for the
Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. Also on the schedule are the BDE
Racing Series Pro Mini Trucks and the Pro Modified Mini Trucks. Qualifying begins at 5:15
PM, with racing action set for 7:00 PM.
Feature Winners From 7/12/03:
James Lucas - Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman
Mark McFarland - NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Chris Donnelly - Redman Fleet Service Grand Stocks
Tom Beckman - Mini Stocks