RPW Column: For First-Time Winners Gary O’Brien & Doug Olds, Saturday At LVS Was Just Perfect

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – For Sportsman feature event winner Gary O’Brien and Pro Stock winner Doug Olds, Saturday night at the Lebanon Valley Speedway was just perfect as both were able to capture their first career victories in their respective divisions.

O’Brien was able to utilize a good starting position of third to lead every single lap of the Sportsman feature and captured his first career win in the open wheel division. However, it was by no means easy.

On several occasions, O’Brien had to fend off the 94 of Joseph Coppola, including a few times they banged wheels off turn four and one-lap shootout at the end.

“We finally got lucky tonight to put it all together,” O’Brien said. “I wasn’t too happy to see that late yellow flag come out but that’s racing.”

O’Brien was quick to thank everyone who got him to victory lane for the first time in a Sportsman after a very successful career in Pure Stocks.

“I really have to thank Ray Hall Jr.,” he said. “Ray’s the reason I moved up to this class and I have to thank this entire crew. They all do the work to this car and they do an extremely good job and I really appreciate it. I also have to thank all the sponsors on this thing and can’t forget to thank Gary Waters.”

Coppola led the ‘plain white wrapper’ brigade as his unlettered 94 came home second with the other unlettered white car, Robbie Knipe, nipping Ryan Larkin at the line for third with point leader John Virgilio coming back from a lap three flat tire to complete the top five.

Doug Olds was able to live out a dream on Saturday night.

A few years back, the Massachusetts racer was able to move up from the Pure Stock ranks to the Pro Stocks and Saturday, he put it all together with a convincing win for the first time.

“Sitting in victory lane makes all the hard work and long nights worth it,” Olds said. “I really wish my wife and kids were here to be able to enjoy this with us. That would have made this so sweet but she thought she was my bad luck charm. It’s gonna be hard to convince her otherwise now.”

Olds had over a five-second lead at the finish, as the race went green to checkers from lap two. However, he didn’t know he had that big of a gap. He kept the hammer down.

“I never knew it,” he said. “I kept looking to my inside to make sure because I was just waiting for someone’s fender to be there. I was more concerned with hitting my marks and staying smooth. That’s all I wanted to do.”

Even with the protective face covering, you could tell that Olds had one of the biggest smiles possible after the win. He was very appreciated to all who helped on his car, both assistance and sponsorship. The team even put a new motor in the #73 this week, and it paid off with a W.

“This is just unreal right now,” he said. “It’s so surreal actually. I can’t believe we’re here. We did it.”

Tony Markou, point leader Chad Jeseo, Jason Meltz and Bubba Tanner Pro Stock Classic winner from this season, Scott Towslee, followed Olds to the finish in the top five.

Brian Walsh and John Devine took home the two Pure Stock feature event wins on the night.