Old Dominion Speedway / May 12, 2001

Twin 50 lap features were the order of business for the Bailey’s NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway, and two different winners stood in victory lane when it was over. The first feature was highlighted by some great side by side, sheet metal rubbing, short track racing as Dustin Storm took advantage of a tangle between the two leaders, and darted out in front for his first win in 2001. The second feature was won by Ricky Exline, who took advantage of his front row starting spot, and led flag to flag in the 50 lap event.
In Lustine Chevrolet qualifying, Storm was the quickest for the second time this season, but found himself watching the battle for the lead from the third spot after the 25 car field took the green. Eric Corbett from Hagerstown Md. and Mark McFarland from Winchester waged a war for the top spot as Storm held is own in third. But midway through the event, McFarland and Corbett touched entering turn four, which forced both cars wide. This was the chance Storm was looking for, and the youngster from Prince Frederick Md. took advantage of the situation, and darted out in front. Corbett and McFarland continued their battle for the second spot as Storm ran away from the field in the remaining laps. At the end, Storm crossed the stripe some 7 car lengths ahead of McFarland, who edged Corbett for the second spot. Following Corbett was Ricky Exline, followed by Mike Southard, and Clarke Simpson.
Ricky Exline from Lake Ridge Va. took advantage of his front row starting spot, and dominated the second 50 lapper. Exline led flag to flag for his first win in 2001. Once again the battle for the second spot was waged between Corbett and McFarland, but this time it was Corbett who wound up taking home the runner-up spot. When asked if he saw the battle for second in his mirror, Exline said "I never looked. This car was going to stay in the front as long as I could keep it there. I was not paying a whole lot of attention what was going on behind me." Following Corbett and McFarland to the stripe was Storm, followed by Danny Fair, and Earl Case.
Jim Todd Jr. from Casanova Va. drove Chris Donnelly’s back up car to victory in the 50 lap Redman Fleet Service Grand Stock feature, and became the fourth different winner in five races in the division. Todd led from the start, and held off a determined Jerry Black from Elkridge Md for his first win in 2001. Willard Lawrence from Haymarket Va. came home a solid third, which vaulted him into the lead in the Grand Stock points chase after point leader Jimmy Hardin tangled with Jack Crocker and lost a lap. Hardin wound up eighth.
Adam Flis from Herndon Va. picked up his first ever feature win in the D&K Electric / Aldie Construction Mini Stock division in their 30 lap event. "This one was a long time coming!" Flis said in victory lane. In addition, the victory put Flis at the top in the points chase for the Mini Stocks. Following Flis across the stripe was Keith Machliet, who arrived at the speedway just moments before the racing action started, Bill Briggs, defending track champ Steve Loughman, and Bill Brewster.
In an interesting story, Dave Gibbs from Sumerduck Va. picked up win number 3 this season in the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman 25 lap feature. Gibbs, who had dropped a valve early in practice, towed his car back to his garage, replaced the engine in his Chevy, and arrived to the speedway as the cars were being lined up for the start. He then proceeded to work his way through the field once the green dropped, and passed Ted Queen using his favorite outside groove pass. Queen was able to keep pace with Gibbs, but was never able to mount a serious threat. Coming home in third was Jeff Sisak, followed by defending track champ Scott Lunceford, and James Lucas.
The Classic Cars from yester-year visited the Old Dominion Speedway for the first time this season, and Jason Lehr from Taneytown Md. held off Bill Brown Jr. for the win in the 30 lap event. Brown tried to pass high, then low, and sometimes even appeared to try to go through Lehr’s machine, but Lehr held his ground and beat Brown at the stripe by less than a car length. Finishing third was Bill Bollinger, followed by Buck Weicht, and Jim Crocker.
Next Saturday night the INEX Legends cars return for a 30 lap feature. Also slated for action is the Bailey’s Late Models with a 75 lap event, twin 25 lap features for the Redman Fleet Service Grand Stocks, 30 laps for the D&K Electric / Aldie Construction Mini Stocks, and 25 laps for the Gaston Automotive Speedway Sportsman. Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action set to take the green at 7:00 PM.