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A Polenz Sweep At ODS…….5/19/12

Family is such a big part of the racing history at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas Va. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd generations of drivers have competed at the legendary 3/8 mile oval together over the years, with many of them visiting victory lane at some point in their career. Few have pulled the "double" and visited victory lane on the same night. Saturday night was a historic night at ODS as for the first time ever, the "triple" was pulled off by the Polenz family. First it was Jessie Polenz, the 18-year from Pattenburg NJ who began her Old Dominion Speedway racing career in the Bandolero divison in 2009, taking the checkers in the Try-It-Racing UCAR 20 lap feature. Starting from the pole position after the draw, she darted out in front on the initial start and held off the late charges of point leader Craig Oglevee to take home her first-ever UCAR feature event win. Oglevee managed to make it to her back bumper from his 6th starting spot over the final few circuits, but as he put it, "she was too smooth and just a bit better than me tonight". Polenz would take home the win less than a car length ahead of Oglevee at the stripe. Rookie Mike Webb came home third for his best finish of the season, followed by Scott Gore, who edged defending track champ Nathan Brasz at the line. Ryan Polenz then completed chapter two by holding off the strong challenges of Cody Scott throughout most of the 30 lap INEX Legends event. The two youngsters battled nose-to-tail as they stretched their lead on each lap, electing to settle the race just between the two of them. Both drivers were hungry for the win, as Polenz was searching for his first win in 2012 (his last win was on 9/3/11) and Scott was looking to get his first ever checkered flag. But at the end, it was Polenz, who crossed the stripe by a scant .0177 seconds ahead of Scott when the checkers flew. Mike Weddell, last weeks feature winner, was a distant third some 8.983 seconds behind, followed by Colin Jareb (his best finish so far in 2012), and Kenny Aubrey. With two wins in their pocket, it was now up to David Polenz, the defending Old Dominion Speedway track champion to see if he could complete the sweep in the 100 lap event for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars. Starting from the outside of row one next to Tyler Hughes, Polenz took the lead on the initial start and led the charge into turn one. By lap 85, he had a lead of over a half a lap over Doug Liberman. A late race caution bunched the field up, but Liberman had nothing for the Gazzu Energy Drink Chevy, as he breezed to his 2nd win of the season, completing the "sweep". "This is something we have talked about over the years but really didn't think it could ever happen," a teary-eyed Jeff Polenz said. "Just unbelievable…….," he added. Following Polenz and Liberman across the stripe was Ray Terczak, Tyler Hughes, and Paul Green. Jonathan Findley led flag-to-flag from his front row starting spot in the 20 lap Bandolero feature. Once the green flag dropped, Findley ran consistent laps as battle for the second spot was a heated exchange between Dakota Scott, Jacob Leverstein, Micheal Munley, and Jake Lowe. As those drivers diced for the spot, Findley slowly pulled away and took the win 2.415 seconds ahead of runner-up Scott. French Grimes dominated the 20 lap Va. Sprint Series event, but with just a lap to go, a part failure in the right rear of his machine allowed Anthony Linkenhoker to snatch the win away. Grimes would hold on to finish second, while Carl Simmons, Rick Bong, and Scott Vasbinder would round out the top five. Next Saturday Night, the Late Models will be featured in a 100 lap Late Model event. Also on the schedule is a 30 lap feature for the Legends, a 20 lap event for the UCAR's, and just added, a 20 lap event for the Bandoleros. In addition, the Street Stocks return to ODS for a feature event. Practice begins at 2PM, with practice set for 5PM. Racing action takes the green at 7PM.

Liberman Takes First Checkers Of 2012…….5/12/12

Doug Liberman from Middleton DE muscled his way into the lead at about the halfway point and took home his first win in 2012 at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas Va. Saturday night. The popular veteran held off strong challenges from several drivers throughout the 75 lap affair. The win moved him to within 2 points of the track championship point lead, currently held by defending track champ David Polenz. Davey Callihan from Fredericksburg Va. led qualifying in his Burger King sponsored machine with a lap of 15.837 (85.243 mph). Liberman wound up second quickest in his Chevy with a 15.909 lap (84.858 mph). Robert Bruce, making his 2nd start of the season, was third quick with an identical lap (15.909), while Polenz (16.012), rookie Late Model driver Tyler Hughes (16.070), and Mike Southard (16.071) rounded out the top six. Once the green flew, those top six drivers ran nose to tail, trading paint as the laps clicked off. Hughes led several laps after starting on the outside of row and muscling his way around Southard. Liberman, who had started 4th, paced himself and took the top spot at around the halfway point. Once in the lead, he was challenged by Polenz, who spun coming out of turn four while battling for the top spot. This gave the second spot back to Hughes, who was not quite able to make the pass on Liberman as the laps wound down. Liberman crossed the stripe just .236 seconds ahead of Hughes. The runner-up spot was his best so far in 2012. Following Hughes was Callihan, followed buy Bruce, Polenz, and Richard Storm. All of the top 6 finishers were with 2 second of each other at the conclusion. Mike "Weedy" Weddell was the class of the field in the INEX / Austin Legends division, and took home his first ever ODS feature win in the 30 lap event. Starting from the 4th position at the green, Weddell powered his way to the front early in the event, and held off the challenges of Ryan Polenz. Polenz was able to get next to Weddell on several occasions, but could not get the bite he needed off the corners to take over the top spot. When the checkers flew, it was Weddell by just .265 seconds over Polenz. Quick qualifier Trevor Collins (17.541) finished third, followed by Cody Scott, Joseph Bisson, and Kenny Aubrey. With his second place finish, Polenz breaks the 3-way tie for the points lead and is 2 points up on Collins and 4 points up on Scott. The M.A.D. Modifieds made their first of several stops at ODS this season, and when the checkers flew on the 40 lap event, it was Hunter Slayton standing in victory lane. The win was not an easy one as he, Jimmy Humblet, and Joe Scarborough battled early for the top spot before Slayton finally took control late and breezed to the win by almost a full second over Humblet. Scarborough faded at the end but held on to 3rd, while David Winslow and Jeff Woods rounded out the top five. Stop-andGo Steve Brady dominated the 20 lap Try-It-Racing UCAR 20 lap feature, taking home his 2nd win in 2012. Taking over the top spot early, Brady dominated the final laps and took the checkers some 7 car lengths ahead of runner-up Scotty Gore. David Gonce picked up his second third place finish in a row, while last week's feature winner Craig Oglevee finished fourth, followed by defending UCAR champ Nathan Brasz. Heading into the night's activities, there was a 4-way tie for the point lead. With the win by Brady, he is now in sole possession of the lead in the division by just 4 points over Oglevee, and 8 points over Gore. Veteran Mike Carte led flag-to-flag in the 25 lap Mini Modified event. Starting from the pole, Carte wasted no time showing the muscle of his Ford to the rest of the field. Keith Riley, who had started second, was able to keep pace with Carte, but did not have the muscle in his Ford to make a serious challenge. Point leader Skylar Felkner started fifth and finished third, followed by Morgan Duncan and Todd Johnston. The Manassas Taxi Cab Pure Stocks made their first appearance in 2012, and defending track champ Mike Ganoe made his way past his 15 year old son Mike Ganoe Jr. late in the going to take home the feature win. Jeff Sweeney, Ricky Stotler, and Paul Jones rounded out the top five. Next Saturday night the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late models will compete in a 100 lap feature. Also on tap is a 30 lap feature for the Legends, along with 20 laps for the UCAR's, 20 laps for the Bandoleros, and 25 laps for the Va. Sprint Series. Practice begins at 2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM. Racing action takes the green at 7PM.

Polenz Picks Up First Win In 2012…….5/5/12

David Polenz picked up his first feature win in 2012, leading flag to flag in the Wounded Warriors 100 lap feature for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars. The win was Polenz’s 10^th of his ODS career, and pushed him atop the point standings ahead of Davey Callihan.
Polenz, who had qualified 5^th fastest (16.042) behind Callihan (15.880), started from the outside of row one next to Ty Miller, took the top spot on the initial start. Miller quickly faded back to the sixth spot after dropping positions to Callihan, Tyler Hughes, Doug Liberman, and Dave Daniels. Polenz posted consistent laps, saving his tires throughout the first 60 laps. Liberman began a charge to the front from the fifth spot and made to as far as second until the handling went away on his Chevy. Liberman wound up finishing second, 1.841 seconds behind Polenz at the end. Callihan was able to hold on for a third place finish, followed by Hughes, Daniels, and Mike Southard. Polenz now leads the point standings (68 points) over Callihan (58 points) and Liberman (48 points).
The INEX Legends cars were also on the schedule on the overcast evening, and when the checkers flew, defending Legends champion Tyler Hughes was in victory lane once again. Pulling double duty for the evening driving both the Legends and the Late Model feature, Hughes took over the top spot early in the event, and took home his first win in 2012 by .642 seconds over Ryan Polenz. Mr. Consistency, Cody Scott, finished third, while opening night feature winner Trevor Collins came home fourth, followed by Kenny Aubrey. The point standings for the division are knotted up with 3 drivers tied at 94 points each. Collins, Polenz, and Scott are all tied for the point lead.
Craig Oglevee set the track record in qualifying, and dominated the 20 lap feature for the Try-It Racing UCAR division. Oglevee set the pace with a 19.230 lap earlier in the evening, then took home his first feature win in 2012. Defending track champ Nathan Brasz, also pulling double duty by running the UCAR and Legends classes, finished second, followed by David Gonce, Tony Mills, and Jesse Polenz. Four drivers share the point lead as Oglevee, Brasz, Polenz, and Mills have 36 points. Steve Brady, who led the points chase heading into the night’s activities, sits in second with 34 points.
Trevor Hawkins made a last lap pass to take the checkers in the 20 lap Bandolero feature. Hawkins, who was involved in a first lap incident, came from the back of the pack to challenge for the lead late. He made the pass on the last lap over early leader Jonathan Findley, taking the checkers by less than a car length. Jacob Leverstein finished third, while Jake Lowe and Ryan Plummer rounded out the top 5.
A full slate of racing is scheduled for next Saturday night, with the Late Models featured in a 75 lap event. Also on the schedule are the Legends (30 laps), Mini Modifieds (25 laps), UCAR’s (20 laps), along with features for both the M.A.D. Modifieds and the Pure Stocks. Practice begins at 2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM. Racing action takes the green at 7 PM.

Rain Washes Out Events At ODS…….4/21/12

Forecasted late rain washed out activities at the Old Dominion Speedway Saturday night. The line of storms that affected virtually every track on the East Coast claimed ODS late Saturday night, as just after INEX Legends qualifying completed, the track was pelted with heavy precipitation. Due to the lateness of the storm, track officials had no choice but to call off the night.
Next Saturday night, the Old Dominion Speedway oval is dark due to the Richmond Sprint Cup event. The following Saturday night, May 5th, the schedule will consist of Twin 50 lap events for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars. Also in the agenda will be a 30 lap event for the INEX Legends, a 20 lap feature for the Bandoleros, and a 20 lap feature for the Try-It-Racing UCAR's. Practice is set for 2PM, with qualifying to begin at 5PM. Racing action will take the green at 7PM. Saturday night, May 5th, will also be Military Appreciation Night at the races.

Darne Takes Home Season Opener At ODS…….4/14/12

The 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season got underway Saturday night under the lights at the famed Old Dominion Speedway. And when the checkers flew, it was a familiar face in victory lane in the Late Model Stock Car division. Mike Darne, piloting the CGL sponsored machine muscled his way up from his 6th starting position after notching the quick qualifying time, and took home the win. Darne took over the top spot just before the halfway point (lap 34) from the Burger King Toyota of Davey Callihan, and crossed the stripe 1.566 seconds ahead when the checkers waved. Michael Hardin, who had posted the second fastest time of the night in qualifying, moved up two spots from his fifth starting position to finish third, while early leader and defending Late Model champion David Polenz finished fourth in his GaZzu / On The Run Chevy. Dave Daniels brought his Daniels Auto Care Chevrolet home in the fifth spot. 20 cars took the green on the clear night, and 13 were around when the checkered flag waved. In his first ever Mini Modified start at the famed 3/8 mile oval, Skylar Felkner claimed victory honors in the 25 lap Mini Modified feature. Felkner, who had posted the second quickest time in qualifying behind veteran Mike Carte, made his way through the field and took the top spot from early leader Keith Riley. But on his way to the front, he and Carte made contact on the backstraight, which forced Carte into the outside fence. Carte's left front tire was cut down, forcing him to pit, eliminating any chance for the win. Once in front, Felkner breezed to the win over Riley, Todd Johnston, David Reid, and Carte. Jonathan Findley picked up where he left off in 2012, taking home the win in the 20 lap Bandolero feature. Findley, who was the fastest in qualifying after Trevor Hawkins time was disallowed, took the green and led flag to flag to take home the win. Hawkins made his way back through the field to finish second, while Dakota Scott, Michael Munley, and Ryan Plummer rounded out the top five. Stop-and-Go Steve Brady dominated the Try-It-Racing UCAR feature, leading virtually every lap to take home opening night victory honors in the 20 lap feature. Once in the lead, the battle was really for the second spot as newcomer Marcus Lambert, Jessie Polenz, and Tony Mills waged a war for the runner-up position. In the end, it would be Lambert taking the second spot in his first ever UCAR race, followed by the veteran Polenz. Mills would hold on for fourth, while Scott Gore rounded out the top five. The INEX Legends battled it out for 30 laps, and once the smoke had settled, it was young Trevor Collins taking home his first ever Legends feature event win. The race was marred by a spectacular incident on lap 22 involving several cars on the backstraight. Mike Wedell, who was running in the top 5, slammed into another car which spun at the exit of turn two. He was then hit by the car of Joe Cogliano who had nowhere to go. Three of the six cars involved caught on fire, but all drivers managed to escape from the flames. Only Kenny Aubrey was transported to the hospital for observation, and as of this writing, he is OK. The race resumed and the 8 lap dash was won by Collins. Cody Scott took home yet another runner-up finish, followed by Ryan Polenz, Jeff Harms, and Scott Wilkerson. Next Saturday night the Va. Sprint Series invades the Old Dominion Speedway for the first time in 2012. Also on the schedule is a 100 lap event for the Late Models, 30 laps for the Legends, 20 laps for the UCAR's, 20 laps for the Bandoleros, and a feature event for the Street Stocks. Practice gets underway at 2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM. Racing action takes the green at 7PM.