Nolan Pope wrapped up a strong weekend with a victory in Late Model Stock Car competition on Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Pope, aboard the No. 1 entry for Lee Faulk Racing and Development, started the weekend on Friday with a runner-up performance in the first of two twin Late Model features at South Carolina’s Anderson Motor Speedway.
With that strong performance fresh on his mind, Pope was determined to do one spot better on Saturday evening at Hickory. He qualified fourth for the first race of two twin 40-lap features at Hickory and was running inside the top-three when a mechanical issue forced him to the pits and out of the first race.
Pope’s Lee Faulk Racing and Development team scrambled to fix the problem, which was caused by a right-front shock. The car was ready to go for the second 40-lap feature, where Pope was set to start from the pole.
When the green flag waved Pope pulled into the lead and never looked back, leading the entire 40-lap distance to earn his first victory at historic Hickory Motor Speedway.
“What a great way to end a great weekend,” Pope said. “We had a strong car at Anderson and that made me feel very confident coming into the races at Hickory. We had some bad luck with the car in the first race, but the guys at Lee Faulk Racing got the car fixed and we went back out there and showed them just how good we are.
“I have to thank Lee and Michael Faulk and all of the guys LFR, my family, the folks at McCallister Precision Marketing and everyone who has helped me get to this point,” Pope added. “It’s so cool to win at a place like Hickory, a track that has so much history. I’m glad I was able to make a little history of my own here tonight.”
Lee Faulk Racing and Development Director of Operations Michael Faulk said the victory by Pope at Hickory was a long time coming.
“Nolan has been making a lot of gains lately and the last two days have really shown just how good this young man is when everything works out,” Faulk said. “A second-place and a win in four races at two very difficult tracks is a really good weekend and I couldn’t be prouder of this young man.”
Pope will be back in action next Saturday, July 20 at Hickory Motor Speedway when the track hosts another set of twin 40-lap features for the Late Model Stock Car division.
Cover photo by Sherri Stearns.
