Storm Takes Win At
ODS.......6/27/09
2001 Old Dominion Speedway track champion Dustin
Storm made a triumphant return to his former home track, taking the
checkers in the American Cancer Society 100 lap feature for the NASCAR /
Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars. Storm was at the right
place at the right time, taking over the top spot as early leader Adam
Brenner had a mechanical problem as the checkers were within his reach. Starting
from the 7th position, Storm bided his time as the laps wound down.
Polesitter Kevin Hall would lead the first 2 circuits, but handed the lead
over to Brenner's Ford on lap three. Brenner held onto that spot for the
entire event, and seemed to have everything under control. Meanwhile,
Storm methodically made his way towards the front, and had a solid second
place finish in hand. But on lap 97, Brenner's car broke loose exiting
turn 4, and spun into the infield, the victim of a broken shock bolt.
Storm took over the top spot and led the final circuits to take his first
win in his first start in 2009. Hall held on for the 2nd spot, his best
ever finish in the Late Model class. Rookie David Polenz battled his way
to a third place finish, his best ever in the Late Models since moving up
from the Legends division. Quick qualifier Greg Compton came home fourth,
while point leader Willard Lawrence and Robert Bruce rounded out the top
six.
After fighting motor troubles for the past several weeks and spinning in
practice, Scott Gore took home the win in the 30 lap Mini Modified
feature. Gore was able to get through the field clean after an earlier
altercation, and get an early
lead as second place finisher Dave Daniels had issues with some of the
slower cars. He finally made up to the second spot, but was too far back
to mount any type of a serious challenge. Veteran Mike Carte came home
third, while early leader Keith Riley finished fourth. With his second
place finish, Daniels now assumes the point lead as Paul Green developed
engine problems and was not around at the start of the event. Other
feature winners included Bryan Fox in the UCAR division, Matt Cannon in
the Legends division, and John Mosby in the Mid-Atlantic Street Stock
division.
Racing action will return to the Old Dominion Speedway on
Saturday night, July 11th with a 75 lap feature for the Late Models. Also
on the schedule is a 20 lap feature for the UCAR's, a 30 lap feature for
the Legends, a 30 lap event for the Mini Modifieds, and a special event
for the Bandoleros. Practice begins at 2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM.
Racing action takes the green at 7PM. Note: The Lawrence Racing Team held
a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society on Saturday night.
They would like to personally thank each and everyone who donated to this
cause. The night's final tally was over $1100.00. Thanks to all the race
fans!!
Feature Winners At ODS - 6/27/09
Top Row:
Dustin Storm - Late Model
Matt Cannon - Legends
Scott Gore - Mini Modified
(Nice photo, Kidwell!!)
Bottom Row:
John Mosby - Street Stock
Bryan Fox - UCAR
Rain Cancels Racing At
ODS.......6/20/09
All activities scheduled for Saturday night at the Old Dominion
Speedway have been cancelled due to rain. Steady rains, and impending bad
weather forecast for the evening, have forced track officials to cancel
all racing activities.
Next Saturday night, June 27th, scheduled
events include a 100-lap feature for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Late Model Stock Cars. Also on tap for the night will be a 30-lap feature
for the Mini Modifieds, a 30-lap events for the Austin Legends / INEX
Legends cars, and a 20-lap feature for the UCAR’s. Practice will begin
at 2PM, with qualifying starting at 5PM. Racing action is set to take the
green at 7PM
Cahall
Wins First Ever Late Model Win At ODS.......6/13/09
In only his 8th race at the historic Old
Dominion Speedway, the tough, bumpy, 3/8 mile oval in
Photos From 6/13/09:
Top Row:
Morgan Duncan - UCAR Winner
Jody Cahall - Late Model Winner
Ryan Ellis - Legends Winner
Bottom Row:
Paul Green - Mini Modified Winner
James Lucas - Street Stock Winner
Trevor Collins - Bandalero Winner
Callihan
Takes First LM Win AT ODS.......6/6/09
He's been successful competing in
go karts, motorcycles, and Mini Modifieds. Now add Late Model Stock Cars
to the list. Third-generation driver Davey Callihan from Warrenton Va.
picked up his first-ever NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model
Stock Car feature win Saturday at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas,
leading flag-to-flag in the Burger King Challenge Series 75-lap feature.
Starting from the pole, Callihan was virtually unchallenged throughout the
entire event. Greg Compton picked up his first quick qualifier award of
the season in his Donna Wheeler Drapery Designs Chevy with a lap of
16.346. Last week's feature winner Mike Southard was second quickest in
his Try-It-Racing Chevy with a 16.411 lap, with the Ford of Adam Brenner
third quickest with a 16.437. Defending track champ Willard Lawrence was
the fourth fastest with a 16.441, while the Foster's Grille Pontiac of Les
Miranda (16.516) and Callihan (16.583) rounded out the top six. Pre-race
favorite Doug Liberman, who has had a solid season thus far and was in the
top five in points, ignited a motor in practice, an was headed back to
Delaware before the night's activities even began. Once the green waved,
Callihan jumped out in front, and was on cruise control throughout the
event. Several brief caution periods bunched the field up, including one
where Willard Lawrence made contact with Mike Southard on the front
straight, sending Southard into the fence. Southard was able to continue,
and brought his battered machine home in the eighth spot. Lawrence would
be sent to the rear, but was able to battle back to a second place finish
after passing rookie David Polenz for that spot with less than ten laps
remaining. Polenz held on for third, his best finish thus far in his
rookie season, while Compton, Jody Cahall, and Miranda rounded out the top
six. The Legends competed in twin 25-lap events, and Roger Austin Jr.
picked up win number three in 2009 in the first event. Austin out-muscled
his nemesis Matt Cannon, the current point leader, for the victory.
Rounding out the top six were Rette Causey, George Cushman, Nick Carlson,
and Mike Bryant. Austin was not so fortunate in the second twin 25-lapper
as he was involved in an incident with Mike Bryant on lap one. The two
veterans tangled coming out of turn four, sending both cars hard into the
fence, eliminating both. After some post-race altercations, Austin has
been suspended for four weeks. The win in the second 25-lap feature went
to Causey, who has raced at ODS on three occasions, compiling 2 wins and a
third place. Finishing behind Causey was Nick Carlson, followed by Ryan
Ellis, Cannon, Van Sykes, and Ryan Polenz. Jason Welch took home his
second feature win of the season in the 20-lap UCAR event. Welch held off
the repeated challenges of Craig Oglevee over the final few laps, but was
able to hold on for the win. Following Welch and Oglevee was Greg Sites,
point leader Bryan Fox, Jeff Beamer, and Morgan Duncan. Bobby Able used a
veteran move to take home the win in the 30-lap feature for the Mini
Modifieds. Able, who had been running a distant third throughout most of
the event, took advantage of a late race caution period when point leader
Paul Green blew the engine in his G2 Ford Fusion, and got around early
leader Dave Daniels with just 3 laps remaining. From that point he held
off Daniels for the win. Following Able and Daniels was Scott Gore, Keith
Riley, and Kevin Davis. Next Saturday night, the Late Models compete in a
75-lap event. Also on the schedule is a 30 lap feature for the Legends, 20
laps for the UCAR's, 30 laps for the Mini Modifieds, 35 laps for the
Street Stocks, and a special event for the Bandoleros. Practice begins at
2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM. Racing action takes the green at 7PM.
Photos From ODS Action
6/6/09:
Top Row:
Davey Callihan - Late Model Winner
Rette Causey - Legends #2 Winner
Bobby Able - Mini Modified Winner
Bottom Row:
Jason Welch - UCAR Winner
Roger Austin Jr. - Legends #1 Winner
Southard Wins At
ODS.......5/30/09
Mike Southard from Nokesville Va. picked up his
first win in 2009, and his first win since September 2006, in the Burger
King Challenge Series 75-lap feature for the NASCAR Whelen-All American
Series Late Model Stock Cars at the Old Dominion Speedway Saturday night.
Southard took advantage of his front row starting spot, and led
flag-to-flag in the event. Robert Bruce in the J&J Music-To-Go Chevy
paced the field in qualifying with a 16.256 lap, followed by Southard in
the Try-It-Racing Chevy with a 16.275 lap. Third quickest was the Larson
engineering Chevy of Doug Liberman with a 16.350 lap, followed by Les
Miranda in the Foster's Grille Pontiac with a 16.371 lap. Rounding out the
top 6 was Adam Brenner (16.375) and Greg Compton's Donna Wheeler Drapery
Designs Chevy (16.422). With the inversion, Southard would start on the
front row, and led the charge into turn one. Once out front, he was on
cruise control as the remaining field battled for position. The field
strung out quickly and settled down as most drivers appeared to be holding
back a bit to save their tires. A late-race caution flew, which bunched
the field up with less than 15 laps to go. Business began to pick up as
Bruce, who had started 6th, made his way up to second, and began to
pressure Southard for the top spot. The battle for third was just as
heated and Compton, running third, was busy holding off Brenner, David
Polenz, Liberman, and Miranda. Polenz and Miranda swapped positions
several times before Miranda spun coming off of turn four. This relegated
him to the rear of the field. He would eventually finish 9th. Up front,
Southard was able to hold off Bruce, and would finish just .255 seconds
ahead of the runner-up. Compton held on for third, while Brenner, Polenz,
and Liberman rounded out the top six. Missing from the event was point
leader Willard Lawrence, who elected to not race this week. The points
have now tightened up, and the championship chase is up for grabs at this
point. Dave Daniels from Woodbridge Va., driving the Daniels Auto Care
Ford, led almost from the start, and took home his first-ever Mini
Modified win in the 30-lap event. Daniels took advantage of the
misfortunes of point leader Paul Green, who had to pit and start from the
rear of the field after a bolt broke in the front end of his G2 Ford.
Green battled back and would finish in the second spot. Problems in
practice and qualifying eliminated two pre-race favorites from the event.
Scott Gore had an engine problem in practice and never made the feature,
and Jason Darne crashed in qualifying, sending him to the hospital with a
cracked bone in his shoulder. UCAR point leader Bryan Fox picked up win
number two in 2009, holding off a determined Jeff Beamer for the win. Fox
started deep in the filed in his Huhn's Shell Chevy, but made a few daring
moves and took over the top spot near the halfway point. Beamer made a few
challenges, but came up a bit short at the end. Morgan Duncan's A-Atlantic
Plumbing machine came home third, followed by "The Cooley Zone.com"
Chevy of Craig Oglevee, and Greg Sites. Nick Carlson took the checkers for
the win in the 30-lap Austin Legends / INEX Legends feature 2009, and his
first win at the famed 3/8 mile oval. Carlson dominated the event, and
crossed the stripe 1.307 seconds ahead for second place finisher and
current Legends point leader George Cushman. Matt Cannon came home third,
while Ryan Polenz and Van Sykes rounded out the top five. 10-year old
Trever Collins led the entire 10-lap feature and came home victorious in
the Bandolero feature event. Jessie Polenz finished second, followed
Michael Munley, Mason Diaz, and Dakota Scott. Next Saturday night, the
Late Models are scheduled to compete in a 75-lap event. Also on the
schedule is a 30-lap Mini Modified feature, a 20-lap event for the UCAR's,
and Twin 25-lap events for the Legends. Practice begins at 2PM, qualifying
starts at 5PM, with racing action set for 7PM.
Photos From 5/30/09:
Top Row:
Trevor Collins - Bandalero Winner
Bryan Fox - UCAR Winner
Dave Daniels - Mini Modified Winner
Middle Row:
Mike Southard and Crew In Victory Lane
"Took you long enough to get me a trophy, Dad!!"
Bottom Row:
Nick Carlson - Legends Winner
Dave Moon Takes First Ever LM Win At ODS.......5/23/09
Dave Moon from Stafford Va. took home his
first-ever Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car feature
Saturday night in the Memorial Day 150 at the Old Dominion Speedway in
Manassas Va. Moon took over the top spot late in the event after early
race leader Robert Bruce spun his Chevrolet exiting turn two. The popular
victory sent just about every driver and crew member from all the teams
out to the front straight to congratulate the veteran, who has been trying
for years to get the first win. "I've been racing for, let me see (as
he is counting his fingers) a very long time, let's say, and it's been a
long time coming," Moon said as he was interviewed on the start /
finish line. The evening began with qualifying for the 20-car field, and
Mike Darne paced all drivers with a quick lap of 16.969. Robert Bruce was
second quickest in his J&J Music-To-Go Chevy with a 16.003 lap. Moon
was the top Ford in qualifying, circling the 3/8 mile oval in his Famous
Dave's Fusion in 16.066 lap. Adam Brenner qualified his Ford fourth with a
16.096 lap, while Mike Southard in the Try-It-Racing Chevy (16.127) and
Doug Liberman's Larson Engineering Chevy (16.181) rounded out the top six.
Several different strategies began to play out early once the green
dropped, with some drivers opting to run up front all night, while others,
including quick qualifier Darne, elected to save as much of the 8-inch
tire as possible until the end. Jody Cahall, who started on the pole by
virtue of the inversion, led the first few laps before being passed by
Bruce, who led the first six cars around the speedway at a much slower
pace than most had expected. The lap times for the leaders actually
approached the 18-second mark, almost a full 2 seconds slower than the
qualifying speeds. As the leaders began approaching some of the cars that
had elected to fall to the back, the pace began to pick up, which usually
causes problems once passing begins. The first casualty was Darne, who had
dropped back to as far as 13th, almost a full lap down at one point. He
began to pick up the pace, but tagged Cahall coming out of turn 4. Both
Cahall and Darne were sent to the rear of the field, with Darne sustaining
fender damage on his machine. He would eventually limp home to an 8th
place finish. Once the 100 lap mark came about, the pace began to quicken.
Bruce seemed to have things well under control, but coming out of turn
two, he approached some slower traffic and tried to go low. But the worn
tires and the greasy track struck back, sending him on a long slide down
the back straight, handing the lead to Moon. At that point, Moon held off
the challenges of Brenner for the final circuits and took home the
checkers for the first time. He then proceeded to take a "Polish
Victory Lap" and pull into victory lane, where he was drenched by
several crews. Following Moon and Brenner, was Liberman, point leader
Willard Lawrence, Bruce, and Les Miranda. Scott Gore took home win number
two in the 30-lap Mini Modified feature. Gore held off point leader Paul
Green for the win. Finishing third was Dave Daniels, followed by Mike
Carte and Keith Riley. Jason Welch picked up his first-ever UCAR feature
win in the 20-lap event for the 4-cylinders, holding off a determined Craig
Oglevee for the win. Point leader and defending track champ Bryan Fox was
third, followed by Greg Sites and Brandon Johnson. Rette Cossey had never
been to the Old Dominion Speedway before, but walked away with the win in
the 30-lap Austin Legends / INEX Legends feature. Cossey took over the top
spot from Ryan Polenz on the initial start and led flag-to-flag for the
win. Ryan Ellis finished second, followed by Nick Carlson, point leader
George Cushman, and Matt Cannon. Steven Teter continued his dominance at
the Old Dominion Speedway, taking the checkers in the 20-lap SRL Mini Cup
feature. Teter, who had qualified the quickest, started from the 6th
position, and took over the top spot by lap two. From that point on, it
was all Teter, who finished almost two seconds ahead of 15-year old Tyler
Staton. Finishing third was 11-year old Andy Reeves, followed by Jody
Hensley, and Tim Brown. Next Saturday night the Late Models compete in a
75-lap event. Also on the schedule is a 30-lap feature for the Legends, a
30-lap feature for the Mini Modifieds, a 20-lap feature for the UCAR's,
and a special feature for the Bandoleros. Practice begins at 2PM,
qualifying starts at 5PM, with racing action set for 7PM.
Top Row
All Photos -Dave Moon
LM Feature Winner
Bottom Row:
Scott Gore - Mini Modified Winner
Jason Welch - UCAR Winner
Steven Teter - Mini Cup Winner
Rain Cancels Racing At ODS.......5/16/09
Late evening rains pelted the Old Dominion Speedway Saturday night,
canceling all activities scheduled at the famed 3/8 mile oval.
Next Saturday night, a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
racing action is scheduled including the first 150 lap event for the Late
Models. Also scheduled is a 30 lap Legends feature, a 30 lap Mini Modified
feature, 20 laps for the UCAR's, and a special event for the Mini Cups.
Practice begins at 2PM, qualifying starts at 5PM, with racing action set
for 7PM.
Adam Brenner Takes The Win In
Wild 100 Lapper.......4/25/09
Adam Brenner brought his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car out for the first time Saturday night, not really knowing what to expect. He certainly had high expectations, considering he was the 2007 Grand Stock champion, and when the Late Models and Grand Stocks combined to make one division last season, he racked up 4 wins and 13 top 5's. But never in his wildest dreams would he have thought he would end up in victory lane in his initial appearance in 2009. But that is exactly what happened Saturday night. In a wild 100 lap contest, Brenner took the checkers in his Ford, dodging the carnage in the process. For 96 laps, the Late Models stretched around the 3/8 mile oval, circling the track in an effort to beat the impending rain showers that were all around the historic 3/8 mile oval. Once again all drivers were chasing the Willard Lawrence / Kyle Hall train. Many of the fans in the stands were already headed to the pit gate, waiting to congratulate Lawrence on yet another win. But all that changed with a late-race caution on lap 96. Lawrence in the Foster's Grille Pontiac, who started from the 8th spot by virtue of the inversion, bumped his way to the front, along with Hall's machine. Car after car fell victim to the duo as the laps wound down. The caution came out on lap 96 that changed the whole complexion of the event. After 2 failed attempts to restart the race, they tried one more time. This time, the field got a lap in and hwas headed for the final 2 laps. But Lawrence's car lost power coming down the frontstraight, causing a traffic jam that involved several of the top running machines. Brenner, who got around Hall for the 2nd spot, made an evasive move to inside, barely missing the rear of Lawrence's car. But the cars behind Brenner were not so lucky as the piled up in an attempt to avoid the stalled car. All in all, 4 cars were damaged and stopped on the front straight. The red-checker was displayed and Brenner was declared the winner. Lawrence was credited for the 2nd spot, followed by Doug Liberman's Larsen Engineering Chevy, Dave Moon in the Famous Dave's Ford, and Hall. Roger Austin Jr. also made his first start of the season in the Austin Legends / INEX Legends feature, and picked up the win over a fast closing Matt Cannon. Austin and Cannon were clearly the class of the field as they stretched their lead on every lap. Cannon made several attempts to take the top spot, but came up short at the end by less than a car length. Roger Austin Sr. finished third, followed by Ryan Polenz, and Van Sykes. The Mid-Atlantic Street Stocks made their initial start at ODS, and long-time competitor James Lucas took home the checkers in the 35 lap feature. Lucas, who has started 7th, made his way to the front, and took over the top spot just past the halfway point. From there on, he was able to hold off former track champ Phil Kenney for the win. John Mozingo finished third, while Dave Nobles and Terry Leach rounded out the top five. Other racing action for the night included the UCAR 20 lap feature, which was won by Jeff Beamer for his 2nd win in 2009. Beamer crossed the stripe just ahead of "Stop-N-Go" Steve Brady. Finishing third was 2008 track champ Bryan Fox, followed by Morgan Duncan and Greg Sites. The Mini Modified 30 lap event was won by Paul Green. The win was Green's first ever feature event at ODS. Finishing second was the ill-running Ford of Scott Gore, followed by Dave Daniels. Mike Carte came home fourth, followed by Keith Riley. And in the Bandelaro feature, it was young Tanner Rumberg taking the checkers over Trevor Collins and Jessie Polenz. Next Saturday night, the Old Dominion Speedway oval will be hosting a Demolition Derby as the stock cars take a break for the Sprint Cup race in Richmond. Stock car racing action returns to the 3/8 mile facility on Saturday night, May 9th with a 75 lap feature for the Late Models, 30 laps for the Mini Modifieds, 30 laps for the Legends, and 20 laps for the UCAR's. Racing action is set to take the green at 7PM
Photos From 4/25/09:
Top Row:
Bandelaro Winner Tanner Rumberg
Mini Modified Winner Paul Green
Second Row:
Legends Winner Roger Austin Jr.
Street Stock Winner James Lucas
UCAR Winner Jeff Beamer
Third Row:
Late Model Winner Adam Brenner
Lawrence Makes It 2
For 2
In 2009 …….4/18/09
Willard Lawrence made it 2-for-2 in 2009
Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway, taking home the win in the
75-lap feature event for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model
Stock Cars. Lawrence, piloting the Foster's Grille Pontiac, took over the
top spot from the Larson Engineering Chevy of Doug Liberman, and held off
the challenges from young Kyle Hall throughout the remainder of the event.
It was the second time in two races that the veteran Lawrence and
youngster Hall have finished 1-2 at ODS this season. Lawrence, by virtue
of his win in the last feature event on April 4th, had to start from the
8th position after the inversion, nonetheless had the quickest qualifying
time of the night with a 16.200 lap around the famed 3/8 mile oval. Hall
was just a tick of the watch slower than Lawrence, as his 16.233 lap was
good enough for the 2nd quickest lap of the night. Ray Terczak, who was
the quickest on opening night, was 3rd quickest in his Chevy with a 16.274
lap, while Greg Compton's Donna Wheeler Drapery Design Chevy and Mike
Southard's Try-It-Racing Chevy rounded out the top five. Once the green
dropped on the 19 car field, Liberman led the pack into turn one, with
Michael Arnold in tow. One the field spread out a bit, Lawrence began his
run to the front. One by one, he picked off positions, even making it
3-wide in some daring moves. Once he got by Liberman for the lead, it
appeared he was on cruise control, as Hall had a harder time getting
around the 2nd place Liberman. Hall began to reel Lawrence in towards the
end, but ran out of laps before he could mount any real challenge. Behind
Lawrence and Hall, Les Miranda's Foster's Grille Chevy would finish third,
followed by Southard and Liberman. As of this release, the order of finish
is still unofficial as the engines in both top cars are being inspected.
The UCAR division competed in twin-15 lap events, and the winners included
Mark Taylor from Manassas, and Jeff Beamer from Charles Town, WV. Taylor
took home the win in the first feature event, beating Beamer to the stripe
by 2 car lengths, while Beamer stormed through the field in the second
feature event, taking the checkers by 3 car lengths over 2008 UCAR track
champ Bryan Fox. The Va. Sprint Series took to the 3/8 mile oval for the
first time in 2009, and Anthony Linkenhoker took home the checkers in the
25-lap feature. Linkenhoker beat the veteran French Grimes to the stripe
by 3 car lengths to claim the win. Finishing third was Billy Norfleet,
followed by Chris Ware, and Scott Vasbinder. Next Saturday night, 6
divisions are scheduled to compete in a jam-packed night of excitement.
The Late Models will compete in a 100-lap event for the first time this
season. The Legends return to compete in a 30-lap event, along with a
30-lap feature for the Mini Modifieds and a 20-lap event for the UCAR's.
For the first time ever, the Bandelaro division will visit ODS for a
special feature event. Old school racing returns to ODS as well, as the
newly renamed Mid-Atlantic Street Stocks compete for the first time this
season. This division is a throwback from the Street Stock / Speedway
Sportsman divisions that competed regularly at ODS in years past. Practice
for all divisions will begin at 2PM, with qualifying set for 5PM. Racing
action is set for 7PM.
Photos From 4/18/09:
Late Model Winner - Willard Lawrence
UCAR #2 Winner - Jeff Beamer
Va. Sprint Winner -
Anthony Linkenhoker
UCAR #1 Winner - Mark Taylor
Rain Halts
Activities At Old Dominion Speedway …….4/11/09
April rains have forced cancellation of activities at
the Old Dominion Speedway. The predicted rain, that was supposed to clear
out by early afternoon, kept falling, forcing track officials to pull the
plug. "This system was supposed to be gone by noon, but each time we
checked it, the weatherman kept pushing it farther and farther into the
afternoon. There was really no way we could have got the track in shape to
practice, much less race. With the high humidity, it would have taken
several hours to dry the track. And to top it off, if it rained again, it
would have put us back to square one. Not to mention the temperature was
not supposed to be very high either," said general manager Hayne
Dominick. Next Saturday night April 18th, the schedule will be headlined
with the Va. Sprint Series lightening fast, winged Modifieds. These cars
post the fastest laps ever at ODS, consistently in the 14 second bracket.
They are scheduled for heat races and a 25-lap feature. In addition to the
VA. Sprints, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models will
compete in a 75-lap event. Defending track champ Willard Lawrence will be
gunning for his 2nd win in a row in 2009. Also on the schedule, the always
entertaining UCARS will be featured in twin 15-lap events. Practice is set for
2PM, with qualifying for all divisions starting at 5PM. Racing action will
take the green at 7PM.
Lawrence
Continues To Roll Along……. 4/4/09
2008 Old Dominion Speedway track champ Willard Lawrence continued his
winning ways in 2009, taking home opening night honors in the 75-lap
feature for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars.
Lawrence took over the top spot from early leader Davey Callihan, and held
off the stout charges of young Kyle Hall for the win. Lawrence had to come
from the 7th starting spot, as the new inversion for ODS in 2009 is now 8
positions. He methodically made his way through the field, and took the
lead from the rookie Callihan coming out of turn 4. Hall, who had been
following Lawrence throughout the event, followed Lawrence around Callihan,
pushing the youngster back to the 3rd spot. At that point, Hall began his
charge to get around Lawrence. Hall's car seemed to get better as the laps
clicked off, but several late-race caution periods kept him from doing so.
He wound up finishing .379 seconds behind winner Lawrence. Callihan held
on for third, while quick qualifier Ray Terczak and Les Miranda rounded
out the top 5.
Scott Gore returned to ODS with two additional family
members (Jack and Jake were born on March 19th), set a new track record in
qualifying, and held off a furious charge from Paul Green to take home the
opening night feature for the Mini Modifieds. Gore eclipsed the previous
track record set by Ken Datesman (17.44) with a lap of 17.24 (78.306 mph).
Ironically, the car Gore drives now is the same car Datesman drove a few
years back. With his quick lap and the inversion, Gore would have to come
from the back of the pack. Once in the lead, he began to stretch what
appeared to be an insurmountable lead. But Green would cut into the
deficit with every lap. Green would get to within 2 car lengths, but would
run out of laps, and finish second. Mike Carte would finish third,
followed by Dave Daniels and Keith Riley. Ryan Ellis made bold move after
bold move, cutting through lapped traffic late in the event, and won the
30-lap feature for the INEX Legends cars. Ellis, who started 7th, took the
lead late in the event, and held off quick qualifier Matt Cannon for the
win. George Cushman brought home his ill-handling car home third, while
Cory Weaver and Ryan Polenz rounded out the top five. 2008 UCAR track
champ Bryan Fox took home the win in the 20-lap UCAR feature. Fox battled
early leader Mark Taylor late in the event, The two cars touched going
down the backstraight, sending Taylor spinning wildly into the grass. Fox
held on and ended up beating Morgan Duncan to the stripe as the checkers
flew. Steve Brady finished third, while Kevin Epstein and Greg Sites
rounded out the top 5. Next Saturday night, the Late Models will be
featured in a 75-lap feature. Also on the schedule is a 30-lap Mini
Modified event, a 30-lap Legends feature, along with a 20-lap event for
the UCARS and a special feature for the Mini Cups. Practice begins at 2PM,
with qualifying starting at 5PM. Racing action is set to take the green at
7PM.
Photos From 4/4/09:
Top Row:
Willard Lawrence - Late Model
Feature Winner
Ryan Ellis - INEX Legends
Feature Winner
Scott Gore - Mini Modified
Feature Winner
Bryan Fox - UCAR
Feature Winner