May 18 Feature Winners:
Keith Machleit, Chris Donnelly, Brian Curry
Mark McFarland, James Lucas
Old Dominion Speedway / May 18, 2002
McFarland Victorious Again At ODS
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For the third time in four events, Mark McFarland from Winchester Va. found
himself in victory lane Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway, taking home the win
in the 75 lap feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge 75 lap
feature. Starting from the sixth spot by virtue of his win last Saturday night in the
Popeyes 200, McFarland moved up spot after spot early in the event, using the
precise handling of his Chevy to move around the competition on the outside. He found
himself in the second spot quickly, and disposed of early leader David Quakenbush before
the ¼ mark of the event. From then on it was who was going to finish second as McFarland
stretched his lead on every lap. Dustin Storm in the Baileys sponsored entry,
started back in the field, and had to battle his way through the pack, finally finding
himself in the second spot. A late race caution period bunched the field up for a 3 lap
dash, but McFarlands superior handling car held off Storm at the end. Crossing the
stripe behind McFarland and Storm was Mike Darne, 5-time track champ Danny Fair,
Quackenbush, Mike Southard, and Stan Owens.
Chris Donnelly held off a determined Jimmy Hardin for the feature win in the Redman Fleet
Service 50 lap feature for the Grand Stocks. Donnelly took over the top spot just a few
laps into the event over early leader Jack Crocker, and had a sizable lead until the final
ten circuits. Hardin, along with Willard Lawrence, caught Donnelly towards the end of the
event, making it an exciting finish. Hardin tried low on several occasions, but was not
strong enough to completely make the pass. Lawrence sat back and watched from a close
third, but was unable to mount any challenge on Hardin.
Keith Machleit picked up his third win in 2002 in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature. Machleit
held of last weeks feature winner Mike Carte throughout the latter stages of the
event, crossing the stripe 5 car lengths ahead of Carte at the end. Finishing third was
Junior Amburgey, followed by defending track champ Sean Dawson, and James Pack.
James Lucas from Centreville Md. Led flag to flag, barely beating Les Miranda to the line
in the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman 25 lap feature. Lucas had built up a sizable
lead after the initial green flag, but a blistered right front tire slowed him down with
just three laps remaining. Miranda was able to make up several car lengths, but was just a
bit short at the end. Finishing third was Jeff Sisak, followed by Ray Miller, and Jamie
DeMattio. Lucas becomes the divisions first 2-time feature winner.
15 year old Brian Curry picked up the win in the 30 lap INEX Legends feature. Curry had to
hold off Mike Gwaltney throughout most of the event, as Gwaltney made several attempts to
take the top spot away from the youngster. Kyle Hendershott, the defending track champ in
the division, finished a close third. All three cars were with a half a car length from
each other at the stripe.
Next Saturday night, the Late Models will compete in a 200 lap feature. The Grand Stocks
will compete in a 50 lap event, with the Mini Stocks competing for 30 laps, and the
Speedway Sportsman going 25 laps. Quick Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action
set for 7:00 PM.