In another flag to flag rumble, Mark McFarland from Winchester Va. took home victory honors Saturday Night at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. in the 75 lap feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge Late Model Stock Cars. McFarland, who had won last week, has now won both Late Model events at ODS thus far, leading flag to flag from the pole in each event. The evening started out much like last week as McFarland put his Popeye’s Chicken Dodge on the pole with a new track record, shattering his track record run from last week, posting a 15.222 lap (88.687 MPH) around the famed 3/8 mile oval. The inversion, which has been modified a bit from previous years, found McFarland starting on the pole for the second straight week following his record runs. Stan Owens from Haymarket Va. posted the second fastest lap of the night with a 15.445 lap, followed by the veteran Tom Raley (15.493), Jack bailey (15.529), and former track champ Dustin Storm (15.532). When the green dropped, it was Raley who was the one who was the first to attempt a shot at McFarland. But even the veteran was no match for the youngster, as McFarland ran smooth, consistent laps and was able to hold on to the lead. Raley eventually dropped back through the field. Bailey was able to hang on to the rear bumper of McFarland for a while, but he too fell off the pace towards the end. A late race caution bunched the field up a bit, but McFarland was able to cruise home to the win. Bailey held on for second, followed by Owens, two time Grand Stock track champ Jimmy Hardin, and Mike Southard.
Willard Lawrence from Haymarket, Va. was also another driver who took advantage of the new inversion rule. Lawrence, who had posted the quick lap in qualifying for the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stocks with a 16.260 lap, started on the pole and led every lap as well enroute to his first victory of the 2003 season. He was pressured every lap by Chris Donnelly, but held on to take home the checkers by less than two car lengths at the end.
Finishing third was Jim Todd Jr., followed by Jerry Black, and Mark Miller.
Mike Carte was the in the right place at the right time on the final turn of the final lap in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature. Carte, who had ran in the third spot for most of the event, wound up being declared the winner at the end after the two leaders were involved in an altercation on the final turn. Tom Beckman, who had led from the start, was pressured by last week’s feature winner Colt White, and coming out of turn four to take the checkers, White tagged Beckman, causing Beckman to spin. White came across the stripe, but was put to the rear of the field by NASCAR Officials, handing the win to Carte, who actually was running third at the time. Getting straightened out and crossing the stripe second was Beckman, followed by Junior Amburgey, Bill Briggs, and Jeremy Wilson.
Les Miranda made it two wins in a row, taking home the win in the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman 25 lap feature. Miranda held off Ric McMillon and
James Lucas for the win.
Kyle Hendershott led flag to after setting a new track record in qualifying, taking home the checkers in the 30 lap INEX Legends feature. Hendershott dodged the cautions flags and heavy traffic to claim the win. Finishing second was Mike Bryant, followed by Roger Austin Jr.
Next Saturday night, the Late Models compete in a 200 lap event, with the Grand Stocks competing for 50 laps. Also on the schedule is a 30 lap feature for the Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action set for 7 PM.

        





Feature Winners From 4/19/03:
Les Miranda, Mike Carte, Willard Lawrence, Kyle Hendershott