By Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director
Over the course of the last week, Danny Lasoski was plagued with some bad luck on the track and also was under the weather off the track, battling the flu for a majority of the 37th Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.
The 2001 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion received the perfect remedy Sunday night, leading all 30-laps of the finale at Volusia Speedway Park to earn the 81st A-Feature win of his career. For Lasoski, it was his 17th career win at the half-mile, but the first in an Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event.
“It’s very gratifying to come down here with my own car and win,” said Lasoski, who piloted the American Compressed Steel JEI. “I couldn’t do it without my friends, Tony Ross at American Compressed Steel and Ron Ditzfeld. They helped pay the way down here. I am very proud of my guys. My dad helped build this car at home and we just had great guys behind us.”
Lasoski came within a couple of laps of winning last Wednesday at Volusia with the All Star Circuit of Champions. After earning two Top-Top finishes in the first two events of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, the veteran persevered through the first two World of Outlaws races and was determined on Sunday night to end his visit to the Sunshine State on a high note.
“It seemed like we had bad luck most of the time,” he noted of his week in Florida. “We had rear end problems and then a throttle shaft break. It’s not that there was anything wrong, just little things happening. We’ll just go from here and see what we can do.”
Lasoski started on the pole for the 30-lap event after winning the Crane Cams Dash. He charged down the front straight at the drop of the green. At the same time, Terry McCarl moved into third and began to battle with Craig Dollansky as they kept pace with Lasoski.
After a restart on the third lap, Lasoski began to open a commanding lead in open track, though Dollansky closed in as the pair entered lapped traffic. Two more cautions late in the race bunched the field, with Dollansky making a couple of charges on the high side of the track in an attempt to take the lead.
Lasoski, who finished third in World of Outlaws points last season will drive his own car again this coming Saturday at Pike County Speedway, before teaming up with a familiar face, for whom he has driven and had a lot of success with in the past.
“I’m going to hook up with Guy Forbrook and between us, hopefully we’ll open some people’s eyes that can come on board and help us,” explained the native of Dover, Missouri. “We have no sponsorship, this is done out of our pocket. I will start with him in California and see what we can do.”
Dollansky used a runner-up finish on Sunday night to claim the overall Alltel DIRTcar Nationals title. He finished sixth or better in all six events at the half-mile, going back to last Tuesday night’s opener. Dollansky won on Friday night in the World of Outlaws season opener and is the current series championship point leader.
“It’s a total team effort to be the overall champion for the second year in a row,” said Dollansky, driver of the Auto Value Maxim. “The crew guys worked so hard for six straight days. It’s really deserving for them to accomplish something like that. I am very proud of our entire Woodward Racing team.”
Late in the race, he tried everything he could to run down Lasoski. He looked to the high side of the track on numerous occasions, but could quite get enough momentum off the fourth turn to make the pass.
“My motor stumbled on those restarts and that let him pull away by about 10 car lengths,” explained the native of Elk River, Minnesota. “It would take me two or three laps to track him back down and try to get us in a position to get by him. We were close and my hat is off to him, he had a pretty hard week.”
Jason Meyers lined up seventh in the A-Feature, and picked up a spot on the opening lap. He moved into the Top-Five on the 12th lap, and then was engaged in a battle with Jason Sides for the fourth position. With five circuits to go, Meyer got around both Sides and McCarl with one move, to earn a third-place finish.
“We are very happy with out start to the season,” said Meyers. “That goes to show that all of the hard work pays off. We have the chemistry and the people behind us. I can’t thank everyone enough and I think we are looking at a great 2008 season.”
McCarl powered his way into third on the opening lap and despite falling back a couple of spots with less than 10 laps to go, he earned a fourth-place finish on Sunday night. McCarl and his team tried a number of different engine combinations over the course of the last week, as they continue to fine tune things for the 2008 season.
“It was a solid Top-Five finish for us, and there are a lot of races left this season,” said McCarl. “We’re pretty happy and we are making strides, especially with out motor program and that is what is important.”
With just seven laps remaining, Meyers fell back to sixth, but quickly rebounded to get around Kerry Madsen, and make a charge toward the front. He earned five Top-Five finishes during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, including in all three World of Outlaws events.
“A couple of times I passed those guys and the yellow came out, so that made it a little tough,” said the native of Clovis, California. “We had a great race tonight and one that I think could have won the race. That’s a little disappointing, but that how it sometimes goes. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t. We were happy with a podium finish and we’ll go on to Mississippi (Pike County Speedway).”
McCarl who will leave Florida in the fifth spot in the championship points was hoping for a long green flag run on Sunday night. During the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, he earned two Top-Five finishes.
“I was really sealing the tires up on the yellows,” said the six-time Knoxville Raceway champion. “I think on a longer run, I had a shot at Craig (Dollansky). I think toward the end we could have gotten him, but the yellow came out and my tires sealed up real bad. It was real difficult for me to run my line and I was not too sure where I wanted to run.”
Steve Kinser, the 20-time Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion came from the 18th starting position to finish in fifth aboard the Q Oil Maxim.
Kerry Madsen, the reigning Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year finished sixth in the TK Concrete Maxim, with Jason Sides seventh in the Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim.
Donny Schatz, the two-time defending series champion charged from the 24th starting spot to finish eighth, to earn the KSE Race Products Hard Charger Award in the Chevrolet powered Armor All J&J. The award is given to the driver that passes the most cars in the A-Feature each night.
Joey Saldana was ninth in the Mopar powered Budweiser JEI, after starting in the 11th row. Tim Kaeding rounded out the Top-10 in the Tom Rolfe Trucking Maxim.
The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, February 16 at Pike County Speedway in Magnolia, Mississippi.
ALLTEL DIRTCAR NATIONALS NIGHT #3 NOTEBOOK
• FAST QUALIFIER: Shane Stewart paced the 41 cars that took time with an AMB i.t. timed lap around the semi-banked half-mile oval at 13.528 seconds at 133.057 mph. For his qualifying effort, Stewart earned five bonus points. The next four fastest qualifiers also earned bonus points, including: Craig Dollansky (4), Daryn Pittman (3), Cody Darrah (2), and Jason Meyers (1).
• QUALIFYING WINNERS: Kerry Madsen, Jason Sides, Terry McCarl and Greg Hodnett won heat races… Natalie Sather won the C-Main… Chad Kemenah won the B-Main… Danny Lasoski won the Crane Cams Dash.
• FEATURE WINNERS: There have been three Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events held in 2008. The winners include Craig Dollansky (Volusia Speedway Park), Danny Lasoski (Volusia Speedway Park) and Jason Meyers (Volusia Speedway Park).
• 1/2-MILE WINNERS: Volusia Speedway Park is a 1/2-mile semi-banked oval. The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series have raced three this season on a track that size. The winners include: Craig Dollansky (Volusia Speedway Park), Danny Lasoski (Volusia Speedway Park) and Jason Meyers (Volusia Speedway Park).
•ALLTEL ALL STARS: The 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals runs through Feb. 16 and features the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series™, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series™, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series™, UMP DIRTcar Racing™ Late Models and Open Wheel Modifieds, and the All Star Circuit of Champions over 12 consecutive nights. Each night includes two feature races with winners eligible to become Alltel All-Stars. To cast a vote for any of the winners so far during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, anybody can go to AlltelAllStar.com and select their favorite DIRTcar Nationals winner or send a text message with their driver’s letter code to 52191. The winning Alltel All-Star receives a $12,000 cash prize.
The Official Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Web site is at http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint. Among the features are updated driver biographies with individual statistics and pictures, race-by-race statistics, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases. Also, links to the 2008 Official Rulebook can be found at the bottom of the home page.
• UPCOMING EVENTS: A stop at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California on February 22 and 23, followed by a visit to Manzanita Speedway on Saturday March 1.
Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park Night # 3; February 10, 2008
Qualifying
1) 83-Shane Stewart 13.528
2) 2-Craig Dollansky 13.537
3) 21-Daryn Pittman 13.545
4) 89-Cody Darrah 13.560
5) 14-Jason Meyers 13.562
6) 20-Kraig Kinser 13.568
7) 24-Terry McCarl 13.572
8) 1-Jeff Shepard 13.584
9) 55-Kerry Madsen 13.589
10) 7S-Jason Sides 13.594
11) 25-Chad Layton 13.596
12) 30C-Lance Dewease 13.620
13) 18-Tony Bruce Jr. 13.639
14) 8K-Chad Kemenah 13.650
15) 5-Danny Lasoski 13.656
16) 22-Greg Hodnett 13.672
17) 1X-Randy Hannagan 13.687
18) 10-Tim Kaeding 13.688
19) 5C-Chad Hillier 13.688
20) 19-Stevie Smith 13.700
21) 11-Steve Kinser 13.704
22) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13.716
23) 5W-Lucas Wolfe 13.726
24) 4-Danny Smith 13.734
25) 20E-Brian Ellenberger 13.735
26) 9-Joey Saldana 13.751
27) 51-Fred Rahmer 13.760
28) R19-Jac Haudenschild 13.773
29) 39-T J Stutts 13.783
30) 6-Tim Shaffer 13.793
31) W20-Greg Wilson 13.802
32) 15-Donny Schatz 13.825
33) D1-Justin Henderson 13.825
34) 94-Wayne Johnson 13.836
35) 28-Brian Paulus 13.902
36) 94S-Natalie Sather 13.971
37) B4-Eric Baldaccini 14.047
38) 80-Spud Gustin 14.208
39) 9P-Rager Phillips 14.405
40) 16-Lee Stark 14.633
41) 44-Jason Johnson 14.969
42) 22B-Ben Gregg -.—
Heat 1 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 55-Kerry Madsen
2) 83-Shane Stewart
3) 14-Jason Meyers
4) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.
5) 11-Steve Kinser
6) D1-Justin Henderson
7) 1X-Randy Hannagan
8) 39-T J Stutts
9) 20E-Brian Ellenberger
10) B4-Eric Baldaccini
11) 44-Jason Johnson
Heat 2 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 7S-Jason Sides
2) 2-Craig Dollansky
3) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.
4) 9-Joey Saldana
5) 20-Kraig Kinser
6) 10-Tim Kaeding
7) 6-Tim Shaffer
8) 22B-Ben Gregg
9) 80-Spud Gustin
10) 8K-Chad Kemenah
11) 94-Wayne Johnson
Heat 3 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 24-Terry McCarl
2) 5-Danny Lasoski
3) 25-Chad Layton
4) 21-Daryn Pittman
5) 5W-Lucas Wolfe
6) 5C-Chad Hillier
7) 28-Brian Paulus
8) 51-Fred Rahmer
9) 9P-Rager Phillips
10) W20-Greg Wilson
Heat 4 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 22-Greg Hodnett
2) 89-Cody Darrah
3) 30C-Lance Dewease
4) 15-Donny Schatz
5) 1-Jeff Shepard
6) R19-Jac Haudenschild
7) 4-Danny Smith
8) 19-Stevie Smith
9) 16-Lee Stark
10) 94S-Natalie Sather
Crane Cams Dash (6 laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature)
1) 5-Danny Lasoski
2) 2-Craig Dollansky
3) 83-Shane Stewart
4) 24-Terry McCarl
5) 89-Cody Darrah
6) 7S-Jason Sides
7) 14-Jason Meyers
8) 21-Daryn Pittman
9) 55-Kerry Madsen
10) 22-Greg Hodnett
C-main (8 laps, top 2 finishers transferred to B-main)
1) 94S-Natalie Sather
2) 9P-Rager Phillips
3) B4-Eric Baldaccini [$125]
4) 80-Spud Gustin [$125]
5) 22B-Ben Gregg [$125]
6) 16-Lee Stark [$100]
7) 44-Jason Johnson [$100]
8) 94-Wayne Johnson [$100]
B-main (12 laps, top 4 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 8K-Chad Kemenah
2) 4-Danny Smith
3) 6-Tim Shaffer
4) 10-Tim Kaeding
5) 1X-Randy Hannagan [$200]
6) R19-Jac Haudenschild [$180]
7) 19-Stevie Smith [$175]
8) 51-Fred Rahmer [$160]
9) 28-Brian Paulus [$150]
10) 5C-Chad Hillier [$150]
11) D1-Justin Henderson [$150]
12) W20-Greg Wilson [$150]
13) 94S-Natalie Sather [$150]
14) 39-T J Stutts [$150]
15) 9P-Rager Phillips [$150]
16) 20E-Brian Ellenberger [$150]
A-main (30 laps) – Starting Position [#]
1) 5-Danny Lasoski[1] [$10,000]
2) 2-Craig Dollansky[2] [$5,000]
3) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$3,000]
4) 24-Terry McCarl[4] [$2,700]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[18] [$2,500]
6) 55-Kerry Madsen[9] [$2,200]
7) 7S-Jason Sides[6] [$2,000]
8) 15-Donny Schatz[24] [$1,800]
9) 9-Joey Saldana[22] [$1,600]
10) 10-Tim Kaeding[17] [$1,450]
11) 30C-Lance Dewease[14] [$1,300]
12) 20-Kraig Kinser[11] [$1,200]
13) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[20] [$1,100]
14) R19-Jac Haudenschild[25] [$300]
15) 6-Tim Shaffer[23] [$950]
16) 8K-Chad Kemenah[16] [$900]
17) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[15] [$850]
18) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[19] [$750]
19) 4-Danny Smith[21] [$725]
20) 89-Cody Darrah[5] [$700]
21) 25-Chad Layton[13] [$700]
22) 22-Greg Hodnett[10] [$700]
23) 83-Shane Stewart[3] [$700]
24) 21-Daryn Pittman[8] [$700]
25) 1X-Randy Hannagan[26] [$0]
26) 1-Jeff Shepard[12] [$700]
Lap Leaders: Danny Lasoski 1-30
Chicken Hawk Hot Lap Award: Danny Lasoski
Penske Power Position Award: Jason Meyers
KSE Hard Charger Award: Donny Schatz
Note: Jac Haudenschild and Randy Hannagan used Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series provisionals to make the A-Feature.
2008 STAT ATTACK
There have been three Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events this season.
A-Feature winners (3 Different Drivers) Driver, Hometown – Wins
1- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 1
Danny Lasoski, Dover, Missouri- 1
Jason Meyers, Clovis, California- 1
Lap leaders, including A-features and preliminary features Car, driver, hometown – Total laps led (5 Drivers have led laps)
1- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 30 laps
Danny Lasoski, Dover, Missouri- 30 laps
3- Jason Meyers, Clovis, California- 20 laps
4- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 7 laps
5- Donny Schatz, Fargo, North Dakota- 3 laps
Time trial leaders (3 different drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Quick times
1- Cody Darrah, Red Lion, Pennsylvania- 1
Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 1
Shane Stewart, Bixby, Oklahoma- 1
Dash Winners (3different winners) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Dash Wins
1- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 1
Danny Lasoski, Dover, Missouri- 1
Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Oklahoma- 1
Pole Positions (3 different drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 1
Danny Lasoski, Dover, Missouri- 1
Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Oklahoma- 1
B-main Winners (3 different winners) Rank – Driver, Hometown – B-Main Wins
1- Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio- 1
Chad Kemenah, Findlay, Ohio- 1
T.J. Stutts, Liverpool, Pennsylvania- 1
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award
1- Lance Dewease, Fayetteville, Pennsylvania- 1
Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NWS- 1
Donny Schatz, Fargo, North Dakota- 1
Crane Cams Engine Builder Challenge
Shaver Specialties 13
Don Ott Engines 11 / -2
Speedway Engines 9 / -4
Kistler Engines 9 / -4
Chassis Builder Challenge
Maxim / 15
J&J / 12 / -3
Top-10 in Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Points
1. Craig Dollansky 449
2. Jason Meyers 439
3. Donny Schatz 426
4. Joey Saldana 412
5. Terry McCarl 404
6. Lance Dewease 404
7. Tim Kaeding 396
8. Chad Kemenah 382
9. Jac Haudenschild 380
10. Jason Sides 378
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.
