Mike Southard from Nokesville Va, piloting the Posner Industries / ARDEX Chevrolet, took home his first feature win in 2002, and second career win overall Saturday night in the 75 lap feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge Late Model Stock Cars. Southard took over the lead at about the one quarter mark, and held off the Popeye’s Chicken Chevy of Mark McFarland for the win. Southard led qualifying with a 15.838 lap on the hot evening, barely beat McFarland who turned in a lap of 15.865. Stan Owens rounded out the top three in qualifying with a 15.870 lap in his Tire Plus / Dudley Martin Chevrolet / Shelter Systems Chevy. When the green dropped, polesitter Brian Jenkins took the 18 car field into turn one, and led for several laps. It was then Mike Darne who took over the to spot until an incident involving Tom Hall and Richard Boswell occurred in turn one. Boswell and Hall spun right in front of Darne, who stopped to avoid the melee. Southard was able to turn hard left and avoid the wreck. This handed the lead to Southard, who would never look back and dominate the remainder of the 75 lapper. McFarland was able to close the gap after a late race caution, but had nothing for the red and white machine of Southard. "Man, it’s really nice to be able to have a brand new car that drives this good" and elated Southard said afterwards. " I told you guys earlier today that I thought this car had a win in it tonight" he added. The win was a very popular one, as the crowd applauded as Southard came out of his car in victory lane. Rounding out the top for spots at the end were McFarland, Owens, and Chuck Lewis in the Bonebrake Printing Chevy. The top five was Lewis’s career best.
Willard Lawrence did what only one other driver has done all season, and that was beat defending track champ Jimmy Hardin. Lawrence took over the lead early in the 50 lap event, and won his first feature in the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock division. Hardin finished a close second, followed by Mark Miller, and Chris Donnelly. Mike Carte took home his second feature win in 2002 in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature. Carte beat Tom Beckman and defending track champ Sean Dawson to the line for the win. Jeff Sisak broke into the win column for the first time in 2002, taking the checkers in the 25 lap Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman event. Sisak took the lead late from James Lucas, and won by two car lengths. In a wild finish, Nick Carslon won the 25 lap INEX Legends event after an incident involving Brian Curry and Roger Austin Jr. on the final lap. Curry was the leader, with Austin trailing close behind. Carlson was 3 car lengths back in third. As Curry and Austin exited turn two on the final circuit, Austin made contact with Curry, sending Curry into a wild slide. Austin continued, but was not given the checkered flag. Carlson was declared the winner, while Austin was relegated to the 13th spot.
Next Saturday night will be the Bailey’s 200 lap feature for the Late Models. Also on the schedule is a 50 lap feature for the Grand Stocks, 30 laps for the Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. In addition, the Champ Karts and Mini Cups are scheduled for 20 laps each. Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing for the Champs and Mini Cups beginning at 6:30 PM. Stock car racing begins at 7:00 PM.
 
 
Feature Winners From 6/1/02:
Willard Lawrence, Mike Carte, Nick Carlson, Jeff Sisak