McFarland Continues Where He Left Off …….
Call it what you want, domination or dynasty. Not since the
80’s has there been such a dominant driver at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas.
In the last 2 seasons plus the first race of 2001, Mark McFarland from Winchester Va. has
amassed 26 victories, most of which were in a dominating style. Opening night at the famed
3/8 mile oval proved to be no different, as McFarland battled his way methodically from
the 7th starting spot, and took home the checkers in the NASCAR 100 lap feature
for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars.
24 freshly painted Late Models took the green on the perfect evening for racing, and
polesitter Mike Darne from Woodbridge, last year’s Grand Stock champion making the
move to the elite division, grabbed the lead ahead of Clarke Simpson and Ricky Exline.
Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifier Dustin Storm, who started 6th, made his way
through the pack and took over the top spot from Darne, and appeared to be on his way to
another win. But a late race caution period bunched the field up, allowing McFarland to
fill Storm’s rear view mirror. When the green waved, McFarland wasted little time,
and made a daring move to the inside entering turn one, made the car stick, and took over
the top spot. It was only a matter of time from that point until the checkers flew, and
McFarland secured another win for the Popeye’s team. Storm held on for a strong
second place finish, while Darne, Exline, and Earl Case rounded out the top 5.
Willard Lawrence from Haymarket Va. led from start to finish and too home his second ever
feature win in the 50 lap Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock feature. The win was not a
breeze for Lawrence, as he battled veteran Jimmy Hardin for the entire 50 lap event.
Hardin attempted on several occasions to make the pass, but Lawrence’s car seemed to
be handling just a bit better exiting the corners, which allowed him to secure the win.
Rounding out the top 5 were Chris Donnelly, Jerry Black, and Jim Todd Jr.
Other racing action for the evening included a 30 lap feature for the D&K Electric /
Aldie Construction Mini Stocks, and 2000 track champ Steve Loughman came home with the
win, beating Adam Flis to the line by less than a car length. Bill Briggs, newcomer to ODS
Sean Dawson, and Garry Klaus rounded out the top 5. Jeff Sisak held on for the win in the
25 lap Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman feature, out dueling 2000 track champ Scott
Lunceford at the stripe. James Lucas, up from the Legends division, ted Queen, and Jeff
Kauffman rounded out the top 5.
Next Saturday night the Legends cars return to ODS for a 30 lap feature. Also on the
schedule is a 75 lap event for the Late Models, a 100 lap feature for the Grand Stocks, 30
laps for the Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. Lustine Chevrolet Quick
Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action set for 7:00 PM.