Bailey's 200 Feature Winner Mike Darne

Old Dominion Speedway / September 21, 2002

Darne Takes Home 4th Win: Extends Point Lead………

Mike Darne from Warrenton VA. took home win number 5 Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, leading the final 75 circuits of the Bailey’s 200 lap feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge Late Model Stock Cars. The win extends his point lead to 20 points over Mark McFarland heading into the final night of racing action next Saturday night. 22 cars took the green flag on the unusually humid September evening, with outside polesitter Dustin Storm taking the lead heading into turn one. McFarland, who had started on the pole, followed Storm, who was followed by Danny Fair. Fair made his move around McFarland, then set his sights on Storm, taking over the top spot on lap 48. Darne, who had started 6th, made his way through the field, and took the lead away from Fair on lap 125. At that point it was a race for the second spot between Fair, McFarland, and Storm. Fair would suffer a cut right front tire while battling for the second spot with McFarland, which caused him to have to pit. McFarland was able to close in on Darne after a late race caution, but was unable to mount a serious challenge. The top five finishers were Darne, McFarland, Storm, Tom Hall, and David Quackenbush. Only McFarland has a shot at the track title next Saturday night, when the Late Models close out the 2002 season with a 100 lap event.
Chris Donnelly survived a mid-race spin, battling back from the rear of the field to take home the win in the 50 lap Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock feature. Donnelly had taken over the lead from John Tolliver, and was pressed hard by Grand Stock track champ Jimmy Hardin. But Hardin tagged Donnelly coming out of turn 4, forcing both cars to the rear of the field. Donnelly made an eventful charge to the front, and passed Tolliver once again with just a handful of laps remaining to take home his 5th win of the season. Following Donnelly across the stripe was Tolliver, Hardin, Tom Rice, and Mark Miller. By taking the green flag, Hardin clinched his second Grand Stock track championship in a row.
Sean Dawson got one step closer to his second straight track championship in the Mini Stock division by taking home win number 4 in the 30 lap feature for the 4 cylinder division. Dawson battled Mike Carte and Keith Machliet throughout the 30 lap event, a crossed the stripe 4 car lengths ahead of Machliet. Finishing third was Carte, followed by Tom Beckman, and Johnny Lowery. With one race remaining, only Carte and Machliet have a mathematical shot at the Dawson for the Mini Stock title.
Jamie DeMattio took home win number 4 in the 25 lap Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman feature. DeMattio held off point leader Jeff Sisak for most of the 25 laps, and crossed the finish line 3 car lengths ahead of Sisak for the win. Following DeMattio and Sisak was James Lucas, followed by Les Miranda and Ric McMillion. Heading into the final night of racing action, Miranda and Lucas are still mathematically able to catch Sisak for the title.
Next Saturday night, the final night of racing action for the oval track, the schedule is highlighted by a 100 lap feature for the Late Models. The Grand Stocks will compete in a 50 lap event, with the Mini Stocks going 30 laps, and the Speedway Sportsman will race for 25 laps, and the Legends Cars return to decide the track championship with a 30 lap feature. Qualifying gets underway at 5:15 PM, with racing action set to go at 7:00 PM.

 
Feature Winners from 9/21/02
From Top Left:
Jamie DeMattio - Speedway Sportsman
Sean Dawson - Mini Stock
Chris Donnelly - Grand Stock