Colabucci Disqualified; Storm Declared Winner Of Popeye’s 200 ……….
After starting from the front row and leading every lap in the Popeye’s
200, apparent winner Mike Colabucci from Waldorf Md. was found illegal in post race
inspection, handing the win to young Dustin Storm from Prince Frederick Md. Saturday night
at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas Va. Before a crowd of over 6400 racing fans, the
31 car field took the green on a perfect night for racing, and Colabucci darted out in
front and never had a major challenge throughout the event. The remaining field battled
for positions on the track, which eventually took it's toll as numerous caution periods
slowed the event. Only 14 out of the original 31 starters were around to see the checkers.
But in post race inspections, Colabucci was found to have an illegal carburetor bolted to
the Goodwrench machine, which relegated him to the 31st and final spot in the
rundown, handing the win to Storm. This, combined with the problems point leader Mark
McFarland encountered, has tightened up the points chase considerably. He had a right
front tire blow going into turn one, and crashed hard into the outside fence. McFarland,
who at one point had a seemingly insurmountable lead in the Bailey’s NASCAR Weekly
Racing Series Late Model Stock Car division, has now seen his lead shrink to just 6
points. The top 5 finishers were Storm in the FAXWORLD Chevy, the Idylwood Exxon Shop
Chevy of Earl Case, Andreas Kestermann in the Creative Service Chevy, the NAPA Auto Parts
Chevy of Mike Darne, and Ricky Exline in the Graphic Motorsports Chevy. Only 30 points now
separate the top 3 drivers. James Penny, starting from the 31st position after
crashing in Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifying, was the MARF Hard Charger Award winner for
the evening, as he survived the numerous crashes and brought his battered CLS Inc. Pontiac
home in 7th place, one lap down.
Jimmy Hardin from Pomfret Md., driving the Kitzmiller’s Chevy, picked up his third
win in a row in the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock 50 lap feature. It was his 5th
win of the season. Hardin battled Steve Goodman and Chris Donnelly in the Donnelly
Concrete Chevy for the win. Goodman was later disqualified on post race inspection for an
illegal crankshaft. Donnelly wound up in the runner-up spot for the third straight race.
John Tolliver from Front Royal had his best finish of the season, as he brought home his
Double H Locates machine home in third, followed by Jerry Black from Elkridge Md. in the
HTI Contractors Chevy.
Rookie Sean Dawson from Stephen’s City Va. took home his first ever feature win in
the 30 lap D&K Electric / Aldie Construction Mini Stock feature. Dawson led flag to
flag, and held off Garry Klaus and Vince Langan for the win. Jeff Sisak took home win
number 3 as he battled Ted Queen throughout the 25 lap Gaston Automotive feature for the
Speedway Sportsman. Point leader Dave Gibbs was involved in an early race crash, which
relegated him to a 10th place finish. This, combined with Queen’s second
place run, boosted Queen to the lead in the points chase, dropping Gibbs to 3rd.
Next Saturday night, the Legends invade the Old Dominion Speedway once again for a 30 lap
event. Also on the schedule are Twin 50 lap features for the Late Models, a 50 lap feature
for the Grand Stocks, a 30 lap event for the Mini Stocks, and a 25 lap feature for the
Speedway Sportsman. Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing
action set for 7:00 PM.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF
STEVE STEWART / SPEEDWAY IMAGES
703-670-0270
MARF Hard Charger Award Winner James Penny (St. 31st / Fin. 7th)