McDonald Clinches the Title

Dusty McDonald passed Guy Goldstein in turn three of the final lap to take fifth place and clinch the NASCAR Late Model track championship Saturday night in front of 6,386 at Irwindale Speedway.

“I owe everything to my crew,” McDonald said. “They worked every day until midnight putting their lives on hold to get this car together. It’s the best fifth-place finish I’ve ever had.”

McDonald, of Simi Valley, finished two points ahead of Gerrit Cromsigt, 880-878, to win the title. Pole-sitter Cromsigt finished fourth in Saturday’s 40-lap race won by Todd Burns.

Starting ninth, McDonald needed to finish either ahead of Cromsigt or one place behind him to win the championship.

Craig Crossland of Lakeside won the 20-lap Allison Legacy West cars race.

Steve Bernardi of Moreno Valley led the final 16 laps to win the 20-lap NASCAR Mini Stock race and Jim Warden of Anaheim won the 30-lap MSRA Pro-4 Modifieds race.

D.J. Ferreira of San Jacinto won the 40-lap Ultra Wheels spec truck race, while Gene Woods of Upland was the winner of the inaugural 15-lap train race.