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Lasoski Overcomes Adversity

2012-02-18-Volusia-WoO-Danny-Lasoski-PAUL-ARCH-PHOTO-028

Lasoski Claims World of Outlaws Sprint Car Season Opener

Former champ dominates for UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit win

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 18, 2012 — With a sweat-drenched brow and a childlike grin, Danny Lasoski exhaled a sigh of relief in Victory Lane. (Paul Arch photo)

For the first time in hours he was able to relax his shoulders and catch his breath after a whirlwind evening at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., for the World of Outlaws season opener. Lasoski’s win was also his second of the week at the 41st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

“We had our work cut out for us,” he said. “We only got to run one lap in qualifying. We broke a U-joint hot lapping and didn’t have time to change it. So I ran as quick a lap as I could with it shaking around.”

After timing in 12th quickest, a four-car invert placed Lasoski outside the front row in his heat race. Lasoski – whose team changed the engine before the heat – got the jump over polesitter Jason Meyers and led all eight laps to win, which locked Lasoski into the dash.

He then started on the pole by way of the No. 6 being drawn for the dash invert. Lasoski led all six laps to earn the pole for the 30-lap feature, which paid $10,000 to win.

Lasoski rocketed to the lead on the start until the race’s lone caution on lap four bunched the field together again. He chose the bottom line in the double-file restart and again drove to a big advantage before entering lapped traffic on lap 11.

Second-place running Brad Sweet closed to within a car length of Lasoski near the midpoint before a miscue in turn two allowed Lasoski to escape and Sammy Swindell to create a battle for second place.

“I was kind of biding my time,” Lasoski said. “I heard somebody getting close and I just dropped the hammer.”

Sweet and Swindell put on a thrilling show for several laps while Lasoski pulled away to a half-straightaway lead in the final 10 laps.

“I got to the outside of Danny and then he moved to the top,” Sweet said after finishing third. “I definitely cooked my right rear tire and we got a little free at the end and ended up giving up second as well.”

Meyers, who started seventh, maneuvered past Swindell with 10 laps remaining and then passed Sweet for second on lap 24.

“I was just waiting for the fuel to come off and the car got really good there toward the end,” Meyers said. “Danny’s been really good here all week. Danny had some trouble tonight and they overcame that and won the race. So congrats to him and his guys.”

Donny Schatz picked up the Hard Charger Award after driving from 15th to fourth and Swindell, who qualified fastest with a lap of 12.942 seconds, rounded out the top five.

“I wish (the feature) would have been 40 laps,” Schatz said. “I’d have had something for the leaders.”

Sam Hafertepe Jr. finished sixth, Aaron Ott was seventh, Brian Ellenberger eighth, Steve Kinser ninth and Cody Darrah placed 10th.

Meyers, who has claimed the past two World of Outlaws titles, was awarded his championship ring during Opening Ceremonies. He and the other 34 drivers on hand will return tomorrow – Sunday – morning for a doubleheader.

“Hopefully we can get a little sleep here tonight and come back for two shows tomorrow and see if we can finish one spot better,” he said.

It will begin with the front gate opening at 11 a.m. and racing at 12:30 p.m. for Friday’s rain-delayed event. Sunday’s scheduled race will follow in the evening.

Tickets for the rest of the 41st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit can be ordered online by clicking WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets, by calling 877-395-8606 or purchased at the track.

Volusia Speedway Park Notebook

TIME TRIALS – Sammy Swindell was the fastest qualifier around the half-mile oval with a time of 12.942 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Brad Sweet (4 points), Sam Hafertepe Jr. (3), Cody Darrah (2) and Dale Blaney (1).

WE’RE ONLINE – Make sure to check out WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com.

UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Barberville, Fla.; Feb. 18, 2012

A-Main – (30 Laps) – 1. 33-Danny Lasoski [1] [$10,000]; 2. 14-Jason Meyers [7] [$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [15] [$2,800]; 5. 1-Sammy Swindell [6] [$2,500]; 6. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr [11] [$2,300]; 7. 77-Aaron Ott [2] [$2,200]; 8. 20E-Brian Ellenberger [8] [$2,100]; 9. 11-Steve Kinser [3] [$2,050]; 10. 4-Cody Darrah [12] [$2,000]; 11. 2-Dale Blaney [13] [$1,500]; 12. 5-Jac Haudenschild [9] [$1,200]; 13. 51-Fred Rahmer [5] [$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [16] [$1,050]; 15. 45-Paul McMahan [23] [$1,000]; 16. 7-Craig Dollansky [25] [$100]; 17. 29-Kerry Madsen [22] [$800]; 18. 9-Joey Saldana [14] [$800]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19] [$800]; 20. 89G-David Gravel [24] [$800]; 21. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [26] [$]; 22. 6-Bill Rose [20] [$800]; 23. 59-Dave Blaney [21] [$800]; 24. 39-Greg Hodnett [17] [$800]; 25. 2X-Dustin Morgan [10] [$800]; 26. 63-Chad Kemenah [18] [$800]. Lap leaders: Danny Lasoski 1-30. Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz [+11].

Qualifying – 1. 1-Sammy Swindell, 12.942; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.972; 3. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 12.979; 4. 4-Cody Darrah, 12.983; 5. 2-Dale Blaney, 12.987; 6. 9-Joey Saldana, 12.992; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.016; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.034; 9. 11-Steve Kinser, 13.034; 10. 51-Fred Rahmer, 13.040; 11. 77-Aaron Ott, 13.049; 12. 33-Danny Lasoski, 13.109; 13. 20E-Brian Ellenberger, 13.116; 14. 5-Jac Haudenschild, 13.145; 15. 2X-Dustin Morgan, 13.150; 16. 14-Jason Meyers, 13.165; 17. 39-Greg Hodnett, 13.169; 18. 27-Daryn Pittman, 13.172; 19. 63-Chad Kemenah, 13.203; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.268; 21. 6-Bill Rose, 13.277; 22. 59-Dave Blaney, 13.281; 23. 29-Kerry Madsen, 13.322; 24. 45-Paul McMahan, 13.325; 25. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.338; 26. 89G-David Gravel, 13.354; 27. 71M-Paul May, 13.377; 28. 54-Cap Henry, 13.378; 29. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.389; 30. 4S-Danny Smith, 13.484; 31. 28-Brian Paulus, 13.497; 32. 33M-Luke Hall, 13.561; 33. 7-Craig Dollansky, No Time; 34. O-Glen Styres, No Time; 35. 83-Tim Shaffer, No Time.

Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 11-Steve Kinser [2]; 2. 20E-Brian Ellenberger [1]; 3. 1-Sammy Swindell [4]; 4. 2-Dale Blaney [3]; 5. 6-Bill Rose [6]; 6. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [8]; 7. 24-Terry McCarl [7]; 8. 7-Craig Dollansky [9]; 9. 39-Greg Hodnett [5].

Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 51-Fred Rahmer [2]; 2. 5-Jac Haudenschild [1]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 4. 59-Dave Blaney [6]; 5. 9-Joey Saldana [3]; 6. 27-Daryn Pittman [5]; 7. 89G-David Gravel [7]; 8. 4S-Danny Smith [8]; 9. O-Glen Styres [9].

Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 2X-Dustin Morgan [1]; 2. 77-Aaron Ott [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr [4]; 5. 29-Kerry Madsen [6]; 6. 63-Chad Kemenah [5]; 7. 71M-Paul May [7]; 8. 28-Brian Paulus [8]; 9. 83-Tim Shaffer [9]

Heat 4 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 33-Danny Lasoski [2]; 2. 14-Jason Meyers [1]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [3]; 4. 4-Cody Darrah [4]; 5. 45-Paul McMahan [6]; 6. 33M-Luke Hall [8]; 7. 54-Cap Henry [7]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5].

Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 33-Danny Lasoski [1]; 2. 77-Aaron Ott [2]; 3. 11-Steve Kinser [4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 5. 51-Fred Rahmer [3]; 6. 1-Sammy Swindell [6]; 7. 14-Jason Meyers [10]; 8. 20E-Brian Ellenberger [7]; 9. 5-Jac Haudenschild [8]; 10. 2X-Dustin Morgan [9].

B-Main – (12 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 39-Greg Hodnett [1] [-]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4] [-]; 3. 89G-David Gravel [6] [-]; 4. 63-Chad Kemenah [3] [-]; 5. 54-Cap Henry [8] [$200]; 6. 24-Terry McCarl [5] [$180]; 7. 7-Craig Dollansky [13] [$175]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [9] [$160]; 9. 71M-Paul May [7] [$150]; 10. O-Glen Styres [14] [$150]; 11. 33M-Luke Hall [12] [$150]; 12. 28-Brian Paulus [11] [$150]; 13. 4S-Danny Smith [10] [$150]; 14. 27-Daryn Pittman [2] [$150].

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings

Pos. 

Driver 

Total 

Diff 

Wins 

T5 

T10 

QT 

1

Danny Lasoski

150

0

1

1

1

0

2

Brad Sweet

148

-2

0

1

1

0

3

Jason Meyers

146

-4

0

1

1

0

4

Sammy Swindell

145

-5

0

1

1

1

5

Donny Schatz

142

-8

0

1

1

0

6

Sam Hafertepe Jr.

141

-9

0

0

1

0

7

Aaron Ott

136

-14

0

0

1

0

8

Brian Ellenberger

134

-16

0

0

1

0

9

Steve Kinser

132

-18

0

0

1

0

10

Cody Darrah

132

-18

0

0

1

0

11

Dale Blaney

129

-21

0

0

0

0

12

Jac Haudenschild

126

-24

0

0

0

0

13

Fred Rahmer

124

-26

0

0

0

0

14

Jason Sides

122

-28

0

0

0

0

15

Paul McMahan

120

-30

0

0

0

0

16

Craig Dollansky

118

-32

0

0

0

0

17

Kerry Madsen

116

-34

0

0

0

0

18

Joey Saldana

114

-36

0

0

0

0

19

Kraig Kinser

112

-38

0

0

0

0

20

David Gravel

110

-40

0

0

0

0

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), UNOH, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel) in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, JE Pistons, Superflow, Wix Filters, Penske Shocks, Intercomp, MSD Ignition, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics and S&S Volvo. Engine Builders Challenge participants include Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines. Chassis Builders Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.

Live updates at Volusia Speedway Park

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Click on this page throughout the night for live updates, including lineups and results for qualifying, heat races, the dash and main events. We will also provide any weather updates when necessary and other interesting tidbits from the pits.

(10:39 p.m.) Danny Lasoski led all 30 laps to claim the World of Outlaws season opener. Here are the results:

1, Danny Lasoski. 2, Jason Meyers. 3, Brad Sweet. 4, Donny Schatz. 5, Sammy Swindell. 6, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 7, Aaron Ott. 8, Brian Ellenberger. 9, Steve Kinser. 10, Cody Darrah. 11, Dale Blaney. 12, Jac Haudenschild. 13, Fred Rahmer. 14, Jason Sides. 15, Paul McMahan. 16, Craig Dollansky. 17, Kerry Madsen. 18, Joey Saldana. 19, Kraig Kinser. 20, David Gravel. 21, Lucas Wolfe. 22, Bill Rose. 23, Dave Blaney. 24, Greg Hodnett. 25, Dustin Morgan. 26, Chad Kemenah.

(10:04 p.m.) Here is the 30-lap feature lineup for the World of Outlaws season opener:

1, Danny Lasoski. 2, Aaron Ott. 3, Steve Kinser. 4, Brad Sweet. 5, Fred Rahmer. 6, Sammy Swindell. 7, Jason Meyers. 8, Brian Ellenberger. 9, Jac Haudenschild. 10, Dustin Morgan. 11, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 12, Cody Darrah. 13, Dale Blaney. 14, Joey Saldana. 15, Donny Schatz. 16, Jason Sides. 17, Greg Hodnett. 18, Chad Kemenah. 19, Kraig Kinser. 20, Bill Rose. 21, Dave Blaney. 22, Kerry Madsen. 23, Paul McMahan. 24, David Gravel. 25, Craig Dollansky. 26, Lucas Wolfe.

Dollansky and Wolfe are utilizing provisionals based off last year’s points.

(9:58 p.m.) Greg Hodnett led all 12 laps to claim the Last Chance Showdown. Kraig Kinser, David Gravel and Chad Kemenah also earned a transfer to the main event. Here are the results:

1, Greg Hodnett. 2, Kraig Kinser. 3, David Gravel. 4, Chad Kemenah. 5, Cap Henry. 6, Terry McCarl. 7, Craig Dollansky. 8, Lucas Wolfe. 9, Paul May. 10, Glenn Styres. 11, Luke Hall. 12, Brian Paulus. 13, Danny Smith. 14, Daryn Pittman (DNS). 15, Tim Shaffer (DNS).

(9:45 p.m.) Danny Lasoski led all six laps to win the dash and earn the pole position for the feature. Here are the results:

1, Danny Lasoski. 2, Aaron Ott. 3, Steve Kinser. 4, Brad Sweet. 5, Fred Rahmer. 6, Sammy Swindell. 7, Jason Meyers. 8, Brian Ellenberger. 9, Jac Haudenschild. 10, Dustin Morgan.

(9:33 p.m.) The dash is in staging.

Kraig Kinser, who starts fourth in the LCS, just changed an engine. Also, Glenn Styres was unable to qualify after he broke a U-joint at the end of hot laps. And Tim Shaffer has scratched for tonight and the rest of the weekend because of mechanical issues.

(9:18 p.m.) The No. 6 was drawn for the dash inversion, meaning Danny Lasoski will start on the pole of the six-lap race. Here is the lineup:

1, Danny Lasoski. 2, Aaron Ott. 3, Fred Rahmer. 4, Steve Kinser. 5, Brad Sweet. 6, Sammy Swindell. 7, Brian Ellenberger. 8, Jac Haudenschild. 9, Dustin Morgan. 10, Jason Meyers.

(9:04 p.m.) Here are the 10 drivers who advanced to the dash:

Sammy Swindell, Brad Sweet, Steve Kinser, Fred Rahmer, Aaron Ott, Danny Lasoski, Brian Ellenberger, Jac Haudenschild, Dustin Morgan and Jason Meyers

(9:03 p.m.) Here is the lineup for the 12-lap Last Chance Showdown, which transfers the top four to the feature:

1, Greg Hodnett. 2, Daryn Pittman. 3, Chad Kemenah. 4, Kraig Kinser. 5, Terry McCarl. 6, David Gravel. 7, Paul May. 8, Cap Henry. 9, Lucas Wolfe. 10, Danny Smith. 11, Brian Paulus. 12, Luke Hall. 13, Craig Dollansky. 14, Glenn Styres. 15, Tim Shaffer.

(8:51 p.m.) Danny Lasoski claims the fourth-and-final heat race. Jason Meyers, Jason Sides, Cody Darrah and Paul McMahan also advance to the feature. Luke Hall was sixth, Cap Henry seventh and Kraig Kinser eighth.

(8:45 p.m.) Dustin Morgan wins the third heat race. Aaron Ott, Donny Schatz, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Kerry Madsen also advance to the feature. Chad Kemenah was sixth, Paul May seventh, Brian Paulus eighth and Tim Shaffer placed ninth with a DNS.

(8:39 p.m.) Fred Rahmer claims the second heat race. Jac Haudenschild, Brad Sweet, Dave Blaney and Joey Saldana also advance to the main event. Daryn Pittman was sixth, David Gravel seventh, Danny Smith eighth and Glenn Styres finished ninth with a DNS.

(8:32 p.m.) Steve Kinser wins the first heat race. Brian Ellenberger, Sammy Swindell, Dale Blaney and Bill Rose also advance to the feature. Lucas Wolfe was sixth, Terry McCarl seventh, Craig Dollansky eighth and Greg Hodnett ninth.

(8:25 p.m.) We just finished the Opening Ceremonies so the heat races will start soon. Also, Jason Meyers was awarded his championship ring in front of a packed crowd.

(8:06 p.m.) Here are the lineups for the eight-lap heat races:

Heat #1: 1, Brian Ellenberger. 2, Steve Kinser. 3, Dale Blaney. 4, Sammy Swindell. 5, Greg Hodnett. 6, Bill Rose. 7, Terry McCarl. 8, Lucas Wolfe. 9, Craig Dollansky.

Heat #2: 1, Jac Haudenschild. 2, Fred Rahmer. 3, Joey Saldana. 4, Brad Sweet. 5, Daryn Pittman. 6, Dave Blaney. 7, David Gravel. 8, Danny Smith. 9, Glenn Styres.

Heat #3: 1, Dustin Morgan. 2, Aaron Ott. 3, Donny Schatz. 4, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 5, Chad Kemenah. 6, Kerry Madsen. 7, Paul May. 8, Brian Paulus. 9, Tim Shaffer.

Heat #4: 1, Jason Meyers. 2, Danny Lasoski. 3, Jason Sides. 4, Cody Darrah. 5, Kraig Kinser. 6, Paul McMahan. 7, Cap Henry. 8, Luke Hall.

The top five from each advance to the feature and the top two go to the dash.

(7:51 p.m.) Sammy Swindell was the quickest in qualifying with a lap of 12.942 seconds at 139.028 miles per hour. Brad Sweet was second quickest, Sam Hafertepe Jr. third, Cody Darrah fourth and Dale Blaney rounded out the top five.

Here are the results:

Positions 1-10: Sammy Swindell, Brad Sweet, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Cody Darrah, Dale Blaney, Joey Saldana, Donny Schatz, Jason Sides, Steve Kinser, Fred Rahmer.

Positions 11-20: Aaron Ott, Danny Lasoski, Brian Ellenberger, Jac Haudenschild, Dustin Morgan, Jason Meyers, Greg Hodnett, Daryn Pittman, Chad Kemenah, Kraig Kinser.

Positions 21-30: Bill Rose, Dave Blaney, Kerry Madsen, Paul McMahan, Terry McCarl, David Gravel, Paul May, Cap Henry, Lucas Wolfe, Danny Smith.

Positions 31-35: Brian Paulus, Luke Hall, Craig Dollansky (no time), Glenn Styres (no time), Tim Shaffer (no time).

(7:25 p.m.) Joey Saldana was quickest in the eighth-and-final session and overall with a lap of 13.107 seconds at 137.331 miles per hour. Qualifying is up next.

(7:20 p.m.) Aaron Ott was the quickest in the seventh session with a lap of 13.152 seconds.

(7:13 p.m.) I missed the fifth session and Brad Sweet was the quickest in the sixth at 13.143 seconds. It looks like the third group is going to hit the track for another warm-up session as well.

(7:02 p.m.) Greg Hodnett was the quickest in the fourth hot-lap session at 13.537 seconds. The first two groups will each get a green-white-checkered session.

(6:57 p.m.) Donny Schatz was quickest in the third hot-lap session with a time of 14.060 seconds.

(6:51 p.m.) Sammy Swindell was the quickest in the second session with a lap of 14.758 seconds. The track was about two seconds faster than the first group, but the second group will also get a second session.

(6:45 p.m.) The track was super wet during the first hot-lap session so nobody was able to get on the gas much. Those drivers will get another segment

(6:34 p.m.) Sprint cars are on the track for hot laps.

(6:11 p.m.) Just finishing a little packing the track before they send the sprint cars out for hot laps.

(5:36 p.m.) Drivers are now putting heat into their engines. Hot laps should start within the next half hour.

(5:22 p.m.) The driver’s meeting just started. There are 35 sprint cars here. They will each get two qualifying laps. The top lap from each driver will determine the four, eight-lap heat races, which are inverted by four (meaning the fast qualifier starts fourth in the first heat, the second quickest qualifier starts fourth in the second heat, etc.). The top five from each heat advance to a 30-lap feature, which pays $10,000 to win.

The top two in each heat plus the top-two qualifiers who advanced to the feature, but didn’t finish in the top two in the heat will compete in a six-lap dash. That is inverted by either four, six or eight depending on a random draw.

Drivers who didn’t advance to the feature through the heats will compete for four transfer positions in a 12-lap Last Chance Showdown.

Here are the results of the pill draw, which determines the order of qualifying and will serve as a roster:

11 — Steve Kinser

24 — Terry McCarl

59 — Dave Blaney

11k — Kraig Kinser

54 — Cap Henry

51 — Fred Rahmer

7s — Jason Sides

0 — Glenn Styres

7 — Craig Dollansky

49 — Brad Sweet

1 — Sammy Swindell

5 — Jac Haudenschild

28 — Brian Paulus

33 — Danny Lasoski

89g — David Gravel

4s — Danny Smith

14 — Jason Meyers

27 — Daryn Pittman

15 — Donny Schatz

83 — Tim Shaffer

71m — Paul May

29 — Kerry Madsen

5w — Lucas Wolfe

77 — Aaron Ott

2x — Dustin Morgan

1z — Sam Hafertepe Jr.

20e — Brian Ellenberger

33m — Luke Hall

2 — Dale Blaney

6 — Bill Rose

39 — Greg Hodnett

45 — Paul McMahan

63 — Chad Kemenah

9 — Joey Saldana

4 — Cody Darrah

(4:27 p.m.) The sky has now turned mostly cloudy. According to weather.com, there is only a 10 percent chance of rain until 11 p.m. when it only goes up to 20 percent.

Also, a couple more cars showed up so I think everyone is here.

(3:49 p.m.) There are 34 sprint cars in the pits as of right now. The driver’s meeting is set for 5:15 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m.

(2:56 p.m.) The sun is shining and it is about 80 degrees at the track. There are scattered, white clouds and it is fairly humid. So it definitely looks a lot better than yesterday, which means we should be able to get the World of Outlaws season opener in tonight.

I think the car count should be similar to last night and it appears that a majority of the teams have pulled into the pits.

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