LateModelStock.com - News

Colabucci Disqualified; Storm Declared Winner Of Popeye's 200.

After starting from the front row and leading every lap in the Popeye's 200, apparent winner Mike Colabucci from Waldorf Md. was found illegal in post race inspection, handing the win to young Dustin Storm from Prince Frederick Md. Saturday night at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas Va. Before a crowd of over 6400 racing fans, the 31 car field took the green on a perfect night for racing, and Colabucci darted out in front and never had a major challenge throughout the event. The remaining field battled for positions on the track, which eventually took it's toll as numerous caution periods slowed the event.

Only 14 out of the original 31 starters were around to see the checkers. But in post race inspections, Colabucci was found to have an illegal carburetor bolted to the Goodwrench machine, which relegated him to the 31st and final spot in the rundown, handing the win to Storm. This, combined with the problems point leader Mark McFarland encountered, has tightened up the points chase considerably. He had a right front tire blow going into turn one, and crashed hard into the outside fence. McFarland, who at one point had a seemingly insurmountable lead in the Bailey's NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Car division, has now seen his lead shrink to just 6 points.

The top 5 finishers were Storm in the FAXWORLD Chevy, the Idylwood Exxon Shop Chevy of Earl Case, Andreas Kestermann in the Creative Service Chevy, the NAPA Auto Parts Chevy of Mike Darne, and Ricky Exline in the Graphic Motorsports Chevy. Only 30 points now separate the top 3 drivers. James Penny, starting from the 31st position after crashing in Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifying, was the MARF Hard Charger Award winner for the evening, as he survived the numerous crashes and brought his battered CLS Inc. Pontiac home in 7th place, one lap down.

Next Saturday night, the Legends invade the Old Dominion Speedway once again for a 30 lap event. Also on the schedule are Twin 50 lap features for the Late Models, a 50 lap feature for the Grand Stocks, a 30 lap event for the Mini Stocks, and a 25 lap feature for the Speedway Sportsman. Lustine Chevrolet Quick Qualifying begins at 5:15 PM, with racing action set for 7:00 PM.