Old Dominion Speedway / September 27, 2003

Track Champions Crowned – 2003 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Closed Out At ODS……

In what was perhaps a fitting end to a less than perfect season at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, the weather played a major factor in determining the outcome. Back in April, Mother Nature played havoc with the schedule at the beginning of the season, and once again she reared her ugly head, affecting activities on the final night of racing. Fortunately, all but the last half of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car 200 lap event was postponed. The USO Military  presented the Popeye’s 200-lap feature for the Late Models, with a twist. The event was stopped at lap 101, given a break, and then all of the lead lap cars were to be inverted for the final 99 laps. Mark McFarland, as he had done so often, was the leader at lap 101 when the event was stopped. The remainder of the divisions yet to be run were completed, the Late Models hit the 3/8 mile oval again to finish out the race and the season. But just as soon as the cars were on the track, forecasted heavy rains began to pelt the speedway, canceling the final half of the event. McFarland was declared the winner, with Jack Bailey, Danny Fair, Richard Boswell Jr., and Jimmy Hardin rounding out the top 5. McFarland had already captured the track championship a few weeks ago. This would be win number 17 out of 19 races, an incredible feat which will most likely not be challenged for years to come.
Willard Lawrence took home the win in the 50-lap Grand Stock feature, for his 9^th win of the season, but came up just 8 points shy at the end for the track championship. That honor goes to Chris Donnelly, who has tried for several years in the division to take home the championship. Donnelly finishes out the season with 6 wins and 1 pole in his championship season. Tom Beckman took home win number 3 in 2003 in the 30-lap Mini Stock division. But it was veteran Mike Carte who took home the track championship by virtue of his 6^th place finish. Jamie DeMattio came into the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman division just 6 points out of the lead for the championship, and picked up the win, but fell just 2 points short in his quest for the title. James Lucas needed a 3^rd place finish to secure the championship, and he did just that, taking home the championship by a mere 2 point. The INEX Legends championship came down to 2 drivers, Kyle Hendershott and Roger Austin Jr. Austin had to only finish 6^th or better to take home the championship, but a spectacular crash on the front straight ended his night. Hendershott went on to win the race and the championship, his second in 3 years.

Congratulations to all of the 2003 track champions!!!!

Mark McFarland – NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car
Chris Donnelly – Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock
Mike Carte – Mini Stock
James Lucas – Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman
Kyle Hendershott – INEX Legends

 
Willard Lawrence - Grand Stock Feature Winner / Tom Beckman - Mini Stock Feature Winner
 
Jamie DeMattio - Speedway Sportsman Feature Winner / Kyle Hendershott - INEX Legends Feature Winner

Mark McFarland - Late Model Stock Car Feature Winner