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………………….

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 Popeye’s 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 Bailey’s 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 McFarland’s 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 week’s 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 division’s 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.