McDonald steals show at Laird

Maverick McDonald used his aggressive style to win a pair of races at Laird International Raceway on Monday night.

McDonald, who finished second in the late model qualifying, entertained the crowd all night by seizing and creating his own openings to claim the chequered flag in both 12 lap late model heat races.

In only his second night of racing at LIR this season, McDonald quickly found his way through the pack to the front with some crafty passing on both the inside and outside of the 1/3 mile oval. McDonald also challenged for the feature but was forced pit side in mid-race with car problems.

Rob Hiiemaa, the late model points leader, won the 30-lap feature after a neck and neck battle with George Wilson during the final two laps. LIR officials have scheduled the late model feature to run 30 laps for the remainder of the season.

The night's program opened with a special fast car dash with the late models. The top four cars in qualifying ran a six-lap race with Wilson emerging victorious, as all four cars ran bumper to bumper for the entire race. Wilson edged Hiiemaa, McDonald and Dennis Varcoe.

Varcoe set a new track record during qualifying, becoming the first driver to record a lap time of under 15 seconds.

Jason Praysner and David Slingsby continued their battle at the top of the factory stock points standings. Praysner won both heats while David Slingsby, who led by a point heading into the night, won the special 30-lap feature.

Praysner experienced car troubles in the feature and didn't finish the race but still picked up fourth place and the valuable points that come with it as only three cars crossed the finish line.

Barry Glenn had another good night in the pure stock division as the Michigan Sault driver won the feature and second heat race. Cottage Park, Michigan's Ray Golladay won the first heat race.

Paul Beauchamp, who crossed the finish line third, was awarded the stock four feature win after first place finisher Matt Huber, who also won both heat races, was disqualified following the race along with second place finisher Paul Syrette for failing the tech inspections.

Monday's action was held to make-up for last Thursday's rain out. Regular action resumes this Thursday night with qualifying at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. The pure stocks will run a special 25-lap feature.