McFarland Wins Again…………………July 12, 2003

The only thing that seems to be able to stop Mark McFarland from winning is the weather. Twin 50 lap features were scheduled for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Cars Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway, and McFarland rumbled to his 8^th win in 2003, taking home the checkers in the first 50 lap event. McFarland followed early leader Andreas Kestermann for several laps before powering his Popeye’s Chicken Dodge past the Chevy of Kestermann coming out of turn 4. After that it was a battle for the runner up spot between Kestermann and Jack Bailey. Bailey, who was racing with his thoughts on his father as they transported him to a nearby hospital after falling ill just prior to the event, held off Mike Southard to take home the third spot. At the time of this release, Jack Bailey Sr. has was reported to have suffered a stroke and was flown to Fairfax Hospital were he is undergoing tests. Any further word on his condition will be released as necessary. The second Late Model race was in the pace lap stages until Mother Nature decided that it was enough racing for one night. The skies opened up and drenched the crowd at the famed 3/8 mile oval, prompting track officials to cancel the second feature. Prior to the rains, the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stocks competed in a 50 lap event, with Chris Donnelly holding off a hard charging Willard Lawrence to take home his 4^th win of the season. Lawrence came home 2^nd, while Jerry Black and Ron Jardine rounded out the top 4. Tom Beckman took home the win in the 30 lap Mini Stock feature. Beckman led flag to flag, holding off the challenges of point leader Mike Carte for the win. (NOTE: The finishing order of the Mini Stock race from 6/28 has been made official. Apparent winner Vince Langan was disqualified for an illegal intake manifold, thus giving the win to Tom Beckman. Johnny Lowery wound up 2^nd, followed by Mike Carte. The points on the ODS website are current to reflect this change). James Lucas took home his second win in a row, leading flag to flag in the 25 lap event for the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman. Jamie DeMattio came up a few car lengths short and finished 2^nd. And Alvin Hatcher led every lap and took home the win in the special Baby Grand 25 lap feature.
Next Saturday night is “Dodge Night At The Races” featuring the Legends cars. They will compete in a 30 lap feature, along with twin 75 lap Late Model events, a 50 lap feature for the  Grand Stocks, 30 laps for the Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Speedway Sportsman. Also on the schedule are the BDE Racing Series Pro Mini Trucks and the Pro Modified Mini Trucks. Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action set for 7:00 PM.