It took 2 weeks before the race could be completed, but the Popeye’s
200 lap feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge Late Model Stock
Cars finally came to it’s conclusion Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway in
Manassas Va. The checkered flag fell after the rain delay some 14 days after the initial
green was waved, Mark McFarland from Winchester Va. in the Popeye’s sponsored machine
stood in victory lane for the second time this season. His win made it the 2 wins in 3
races thus far at the 3/8 mile oval. The victory was a hard fought win, as he was hounded
by Fairfax Station’s Earl Case in the Idylwood Exxon Shop Chevy throughout most of
the event. Case had a few shots at the Winchester driver, and could pull along side of
McFarland, but could never make the pass. Late in the event, it was Case who bobbled just
a bit, which dropped him back to the fourth spot. He was able to make up one of the 2
spots he lost by the end of the event, but wound up third behind 5 time track champ Danny
Fair.
Jimmy Hardin found his way to victory lane once more in the Redman Fleet Service Grand
Stock 50 lap feature. Hardin easily passed Chris Donnelly just before the halfway point in
the event, and appeared to be able to pull away with ease. However, lapped traffic with
just a few laps remaining bunched the field up behind Hardin, allowing Donnelly to have
one last chance at victory. But Donnelly nearly spun himself exiting turn two, which
allowed Willard Lawrence to gain the second spot. That would be the finishing order at the
end with Jerry Black, Bryan Short, and Marty Armin Jr. rounding out the top 6.Mike Carte
picked up his first win of the 2002 season, nipping James Pack at the stripe for the win
in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature. Carte took over the top spot after early leader Keith
Machleit developed an oil leak while leading late in the event. Carte was able to hold off
the pressure from Pack, taking home his first win since 1992. Following Carte and Pack
across the stripe was Vince Langan, defending track champ Sean Dawson, and Tom Beckman.
Jamie DeMattio finally broke into the winners circle, as he led flag to flag in the 25 lap
Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman feature. DeMattio held off a determined James Lucas
throughout the event for his first ever feature win. Post race inspection would find Lucas
with an illegal part on his Chevy, which put Les Miranda up to the second spot. Ray Miller
and Jeff Kauffman rounded out the top 4.
Next Saturday night, the Legends roll into town for their second appearance at ODS. Also
on the schedule is Twin 25 lap features for the Grand Stocks, a 75 Lap Late Model feature,
30 laps for the Mini Stocks, 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. Also on the agenda will
be features for the Champs and Mini Cups. Qualifying gets under way at 5:15 PM, with
racing for the Champs and Mini Cups to start at 6:30 PM. Stock cars racing will follow at
7 PM.