24 Car Field (in no particular order)
R19 - Jac Haudenschild
1z- Stevie Smith
2B- Dale Blaney
2w- Johnny Herrera
6 - Danny Lasoski
7s - Jason Sides
9 - Joey Saldana
10s - Sammy Swindell
11 - Steve Kinser
14 - Jason Meyers
14AJ - Wayne Johnson
15 - Donny Schatz
15H - Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
17G - Dusty Zomer
19 - Craig Dollansky
21 - Brian Brown
22 - Billy Alley
22x - Greg Hodnett
24 - Terry McCarl
24T - Tyler Walker
30c - Lance Dewease
55 - Kerry Madsen
57 - Shane Stewart
83A - Tim Shaffer
Qualifying Night Winners:
Wednesday: Johnny Herrera
Thursday: Stevie Smith
Friday Non-Qualifer: Jason Johnson
Rookie of the Nationals:
3C - Cale Conley
2009 Knoxville Nationals Finale Top 10 Predicition:
1. Terry McCarl
2. Donny Schatz
3. Jason Meyers
4. Stevie Smith
5. Joey Saldana
6. Johnny Herrera
7. Danny Lasoski
8. Brian Brown
9. Craig Dollansky
10. Wayne Johnson
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Its Finally Here
The time has finally come: The 2009 Knoxville Nationals. The qualifying nights have been split up and it looks like they are evenly split up to me. Should be fun to see if anyone can finally drop a perfect night of 500 points for the first time in my memory of what will be my 12th year of attending them.
Time to catch up on some of the races I've been able to hit. We'll start with the All Star shows at Huset's a couple of weeks ago that saw the 23w dominate the first night for the $5K prize. He led all 35 laps on a very racy track as Gary Wright was all over his ass for most of the race. Wright even pulled even with him at one point mid-race but lap traffic negated any pass going down the backstretch. I truly was not expecting Scott to win as I was thinking worst possible outcome, so it made it that much sweeter to see him pull it off. And he wouldn't have started where he did had Jake Peters not scratched for the night. Everything came together to see him get the 'W' on a cool night that saw me blowing out my own breath on August 1st. Scott's site is a work in progress and should hopefully be updated in the upcoming weeks.
The next night saw more heavy hitters head up from Knoxville. A delay in the start time plus 2 laps in qualifying pushed the show back a good 45 minutes, and wouldn't you know it, rain was on the way in a hurry. The rain barely missed the track when it pushed off by about a mile to the south as only a few sprinkles fell. Instead of the scheduled 40 laps, they only went 30 to cut down the laps in order to hit halfway to make it official. T-Mac drew the front row after setting quick time and led all 30 laps to the victory on a heavier track from the night before. Tim Shaffer was after him the majority of the race in traffic, but never really was a threat. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. was coming in a hurry in the late stages and blew by Shaffer outta 4 coming to the checkers to snag the 2nd spot. Woulda been great to see another 10 laps on that track, especially with Sam coming, but atleast we got to see a full feature. This was only the beginning of a tear for T-Mac as he won the night before in Knoxville...
I left work Friday night and headed down to Knoxville in order to catch the feature for Friday's 360 prelim which had T-Mac in the field. Got down there just in time for intermission-bombs at the Dingus with a bunch of Terry's loyal sponsors, friends, and family and headed back up to the suite that saw him pass Brian Brown on the last corner to garner the victory and a front row starting spot in the 360 finale on the next night. Friday night I literally blacked out just outside the Dingus and thanks for everyone who helped me out, its greatly appreciated and I'll return the favor sometime, don't you worry.
The next night can simply be put with one phrase: "SWEPT 'EM." Terry won the regular 410 show after starting in the 2nd row. Again, he tracked down Brownie to get this win and he was never really challenged after that to collect his 4th straight win. Then he went out and won the 360 finale for a cool 10 grand, his 3rd 360 Nationals, and 5th win in a row as we head into the Nationals. He's taken in 29 grand in these 5 races in just over a week, which is amazing. Saturday was easier to remember for me, but it was still awesome to be up in Terry's suite to watch him win 3 races in 2 nights. I got to meet some pretty cool people over the course of these 2 nights and I can't wait to get back down on Wednesday to throw it down for the real Nationals.
My predictions will be posted here above this post for the 24 car field and whose gonna win the $150 grand.
Time to catch up on some of the races I've been able to hit. We'll start with the All Star shows at Huset's a couple of weeks ago that saw the 23w dominate the first night for the $5K prize. He led all 35 laps on a very racy track as Gary Wright was all over his ass for most of the race. Wright even pulled even with him at one point mid-race but lap traffic negated any pass going down the backstretch. I truly was not expecting Scott to win as I was thinking worst possible outcome, so it made it that much sweeter to see him pull it off. And he wouldn't have started where he did had Jake Peters not scratched for the night. Everything came together to see him get the 'W' on a cool night that saw me blowing out my own breath on August 1st. Scott's site is a work in progress and should hopefully be updated in the upcoming weeks.
The next night saw more heavy hitters head up from Knoxville. A delay in the start time plus 2 laps in qualifying pushed the show back a good 45 minutes, and wouldn't you know it, rain was on the way in a hurry. The rain barely missed the track when it pushed off by about a mile to the south as only a few sprinkles fell. Instead of the scheduled 40 laps, they only went 30 to cut down the laps in order to hit halfway to make it official. T-Mac drew the front row after setting quick time and led all 30 laps to the victory on a heavier track from the night before. Tim Shaffer was after him the majority of the race in traffic, but never really was a threat. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. was coming in a hurry in the late stages and blew by Shaffer outta 4 coming to the checkers to snag the 2nd spot. Woulda been great to see another 10 laps on that track, especially with Sam coming, but atleast we got to see a full feature. This was only the beginning of a tear for T-Mac as he won the night before in Knoxville...
I left work Friday night and headed down to Knoxville in order to catch the feature for Friday's 360 prelim which had T-Mac in the field. Got down there just in time for intermission-bombs at the Dingus with a bunch of Terry's loyal sponsors, friends, and family and headed back up to the suite that saw him pass Brian Brown on the last corner to garner the victory and a front row starting spot in the 360 finale on the next night. Friday night I literally blacked out just outside the Dingus and thanks for everyone who helped me out, its greatly appreciated and I'll return the favor sometime, don't you worry.
The next night can simply be put with one phrase: "SWEPT 'EM." Terry won the regular 410 show after starting in the 2nd row. Again, he tracked down Brownie to get this win and he was never really challenged after that to collect his 4th straight win. Then he went out and won the 360 finale for a cool 10 grand, his 3rd 360 Nationals, and 5th win in a row as we head into the Nationals. He's taken in 29 grand in these 5 races in just over a week, which is amazing. Saturday was easier to remember for me, but it was still awesome to be up in Terry's suite to watch him win 3 races in 2 nights. I got to meet some pretty cool people over the course of these 2 nights and I can't wait to get back down on Wednesday to throw it down for the real Nationals.
My predictions will be posted here above this post for the 24 car field and whose gonna win the $150 grand.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Around The Corner: Best Time of the Year
The best time of the year is finally approaching, and its coming in a hurry.. We're only 19 days away from the Nationals kicking off for the 410s, and that is preluded by the much anticiapted 360 Nationals. The best show of the year in the country in my mind is the 360 Nationals Finale doubled up with the regular 410 show that brings in a good 40+ 410s just for that show alone. We get to see drivers doing double-duty for the only time of the year at Knoxville, and the show only costs $20. It was by far the best show of the year that I seen last year, and I'm really looking foward to getting done there for it again.
My schedule will definitely be picking up starting this week with 2 shows, 3 straight 410 shows the following week, and then its time to head to Knoxville. Can't wait for it, and it'll be here before ya know it.
Lets go over Sunday's races from last week which saw (my boy) Scott Winters take the 410 field out to the shed at Huset's. He set fast time for the first time all year, went 6th to 3rd in a stacked heat to hit the invert, and then won the fucker from the 8th starting spot. He was the class of the field for the night, and that was shown when won the race by half a lap and just over 7 seconds. Winters has been getting his ducks in a row at Huset's and has been consistently up in the top 3 for the last month or so. Should be fun to see what he does for the upcoming big money shows....
.. Which brings me to the excitement that the All-Star show will be bringing for the 2 night show on August 1st and 2nd. A list of confirmed drivers was posted earlier this week and the list was impressive to say the least. The All Stars are bringing: Point leader and defending race champion Tim Shaffer, Dale Blaney, Greg Wilson, Rookies Ryan Bunton and Daron Clayton, Randy Hannagan, Brandon Wimmer, Danny Smith, and Miranda Throckmorton. Other drivers that were "confirmed" were T-Mac, Shane Stewart in the Silva 57, The "Texan" Gary Wright, TK, and TBJ (Tony Bruce Jr). Saturday's show may be down a few cars because of guys electing to run Knoxville, but Sunday's 10 grand to win show should bring up those guys and we should push 35 cars or so.
In other news, Justin Henderson is back from PA (his tail between the legs after the beatdown out East) to pick up the sloppy seconds from Jake Peters and Dusty Zomer in Shawn VanWhye's 99JR. Nothing like going from a prominent 410 ride in PA that won with the Outlaws 2 years ago, back to a 360 back home! This should be a fun month coming from his excuse-filled fans. Hope they haven't ran out of those excuses quite yet!
Great time of the year to be a sprint car fan. Lets hope the weather continues to hold strong by staying dry for the upcoming month. Hell, I'll even take hot and humid for Knoxville as long as it stays dry the next month.
My schedule will definitely be picking up starting this week with 2 shows, 3 straight 410 shows the following week, and then its time to head to Knoxville. Can't wait for it, and it'll be here before ya know it.
Lets go over Sunday's races from last week which saw (my boy) Scott Winters take the 410 field out to the shed at Huset's. He set fast time for the first time all year, went 6th to 3rd in a stacked heat to hit the invert, and then won the fucker from the 8th starting spot. He was the class of the field for the night, and that was shown when won the race by half a lap and just over 7 seconds. Winters has been getting his ducks in a row at Huset's and has been consistently up in the top 3 for the last month or so. Should be fun to see what he does for the upcoming big money shows....
.. Which brings me to the excitement that the All-Star show will be bringing for the 2 night show on August 1st and 2nd. A list of confirmed drivers was posted earlier this week and the list was impressive to say the least. The All Stars are bringing: Point leader and defending race champion Tim Shaffer, Dale Blaney, Greg Wilson, Rookies Ryan Bunton and Daron Clayton, Randy Hannagan, Brandon Wimmer, Danny Smith, and Miranda Throckmorton. Other drivers that were "confirmed" were T-Mac, Shane Stewart in the Silva 57, The "Texan" Gary Wright, TK, and TBJ (Tony Bruce Jr). Saturday's show may be down a few cars because of guys electing to run Knoxville, but Sunday's 10 grand to win show should bring up those guys and we should push 35 cars or so.
In other news, Justin Henderson is back from PA (his tail between the legs after the beatdown out East) to pick up the sloppy seconds from Jake Peters and Dusty Zomer in Shawn VanWhye's 99JR. Nothing like going from a prominent 410 ride in PA that won with the Outlaws 2 years ago, back to a 360 back home! This should be a fun month coming from his excuse-filled fans. Hope they haven't ran out of those excuses quite yet!
Great time of the year to be a sprint car fan. Lets hope the weather continues to hold strong by staying dry for the upcoming month. Hell, I'll even take hot and humid for Knoxville as long as it stays dry the next month.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Effing Rain
Well, after waiting all afternoon, the Huset's WoO show was finally called around 5PM when it started to rain. This was after the rain somehow avoided the SF area all morning/afternoon. But the Rubins decided to try to get the show in, even though many drivers decided not to come and/or go somewhere else to race.
The best thing that could have happened would have been to cancel around noon due to the forecast and the radar being GREEN as fuck to the west and coming east. Sounds like the Outlaws wouldn't let them re-schedule for Sunday, so its just going to be a weekly show with a few heavy hitters hopefully. The rumor is that it will be rescheduled for September. More than likely the open weekend on the WoO schedule following the mid-week Spencer race.
Anyways, the car count was very low as Wayne didn't come up from Knoxville. McCarl bolted for Wisco. around noon to dominate the IRA again from his 10th starting spot. Dobmeier turned her around and headed back to Grand Forks to race (no info on where he finished). And many other "questionable" drivers didn't make the tow. Lets just hope we get to see the Outlaws sometime up here.
Thats all for now, Sunday's looking dandy weather-wise, and it should be a barn burner with McCarl back in town with possibly TK as well.
The best thing that could have happened would have been to cancel around noon due to the forecast and the radar being GREEN as fuck to the west and coming east. Sounds like the Outlaws wouldn't let them re-schedule for Sunday, so its just going to be a weekly show with a few heavy hitters hopefully. The rumor is that it will be rescheduled for September. More than likely the open weekend on the WoO schedule following the mid-week Spencer race.
Anyways, the car count was very low as Wayne didn't come up from Knoxville. McCarl bolted for Wisco. around noon to dominate the IRA again from his 10th starting spot. Dobmeier turned her around and headed back to Grand Forks to race (no info on where he finished). And many other "questionable" drivers didn't make the tow. Lets just hope we get to see the Outlaws sometime up here.
Thats all for now, Sunday's looking dandy weather-wise, and it should be a barn burner with McCarl back in town with possibly TK as well.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Catching Up...
Well, haven't really posted a whole lot for a blog lately and its time to get something posted. Had a tremendous time with a few buds up in North Dakota for the WoO races at Grand Forks and Fargo. Drank too much both nights as we got started rather early at 3ish or so at the phenominal establishment known as "Hooters" in Fargo. The rumblings of a report for the weekend can be found HERE. We left at 6am in Fargo early Sunday morning and I was in my bed by 10:15 back home. Great decision to leave early as I was able to sleep most of the way anyways!
The race at Grand Forks was pretty good but didn't live up to the expectations I had for the place. But that track is definitely racy. Dobmeier missed it badly in qualifying, ruining any chance of pulling of the upset. Chris Shirek was a pleasant, yet, shocking surprise in qualifying and winning his heat from 4th by blowing by Saldana for the heat win. Schatz dominated much to the displeasure of us, even though Saldana found the cushion in moving his way up to 2nd. Meyers struggled in the A and was the first out of pits following the races.
Fargo- not much more to say than 'WOW.' The place was crazy fast for the 'A' after reworking the track following the heats. Great decision by SLS Promotions to do that as it was starting to lay rubber then. They dug the fucker up, watered it and packed her back down for the dash and the features. That place is scary fast and ranks right up there with Knoxville, but it doesnt have a retaining fence all the way around like Knoxville. Huge grandstands at the joint and looked somewhat fool, hard to tell how many people there though. Meyers ended up winning a thriller over Dollansky as he was eyeing his first win with KKR. We were cheering hard core for Craig, but it just wasn't made to be. Talked to TBJ (Tony Bruce Jr.) after the races and he's a cool fucker. Had the Eminem blaring from the rig following the race and that always +1 in my book. Can't wait to see him at Huset's again for the All-Star show.
Overall, pretty friggin sweet weekend up in the great state of North Dakota. Great 'scenery' up there at the tracks.. just wish Huset's could have half of that! Things got a little spendy, but oh well, well worth it. I can't make it to Knoxville this weekend due to a wedding (FML), but what do ya do? Probably will hit up the local ASCS Midwest show Friday at I-90 in Hartford, followed up by the usual Huset's stop on Sunday (if it don't fucking rain again). Keep checking up, points are updated on the right and hopefully see some of ya at the track this weekend.
The race at Grand Forks was pretty good but didn't live up to the expectations I had for the place. But that track is definitely racy. Dobmeier missed it badly in qualifying, ruining any chance of pulling of the upset. Chris Shirek was a pleasant, yet, shocking surprise in qualifying and winning his heat from 4th by blowing by Saldana for the heat win. Schatz dominated much to the displeasure of us, even though Saldana found the cushion in moving his way up to 2nd. Meyers struggled in the A and was the first out of pits following the races.
Fargo- not much more to say than 'WOW.' The place was crazy fast for the 'A' after reworking the track following the heats. Great decision by SLS Promotions to do that as it was starting to lay rubber then. They dug the fucker up, watered it and packed her back down for the dash and the features. That place is scary fast and ranks right up there with Knoxville, but it doesnt have a retaining fence all the way around like Knoxville. Huge grandstands at the joint and looked somewhat fool, hard to tell how many people there though. Meyers ended up winning a thriller over Dollansky as he was eyeing his first win with KKR. We were cheering hard core for Craig, but it just wasn't made to be. Talked to TBJ (Tony Bruce Jr.) after the races and he's a cool fucker. Had the Eminem blaring from the rig following the race and that always +1 in my book. Can't wait to see him at Huset's again for the All-Star show.
Overall, pretty friggin sweet weekend up in the great state of North Dakota. Great 'scenery' up there at the tracks.. just wish Huset's could have half of that! Things got a little spendy, but oh well, well worth it. I can't make it to Knoxville this weekend due to a wedding (FML), but what do ya do? Probably will hit up the local ASCS Midwest show Friday at I-90 in Hartford, followed up by the usual Huset's stop on Sunday (if it don't fucking rain again). Keep checking up, points are updated on the right and hopefully see some of ya at the track this weekend.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Huset's Rain Plus The Week Ahead
We came pretty damn close to getting Sunday in, but Mother Nature threw us another nasty curveball at about 9:20. After having a storm deteroriate that was coming straight for the track at about 8:30, it looked like we would get the rest of the night in as the sun came out at the beginning of the features. That quickly turned to a very akward sky with tons of lightning starting to build during the 360 feature, letting the patrons know something big was coming. It was great to see the program moving along so fast again for the 2nd straight week, hopefully this can continue in the future.
We got 6 laps in since Winters spun out and Dover flipped wildly into the catch fence in turn 1 before the race was stopped due to rain. Chad Meyer was looking damn fast on the cushion and Lynton Jeffrey was just as fast running the bottom on the perfect track conditions. T-Mac quickly worked his way up to 4th from his 9th starting position and had just got around Mark Dobmeier for that 4th spot and has his sights set on Clint Garner and the front 2 until Dover dumped his #53 machine.
It looked like a pretty nasty wreck at the time, but he was fine, and the car rolled out back so his 'amazingly, God-given talented' crew chief could get to work on fixing it. A little sarcasm there as he is a complete tool who thinks he knows everything and is the greatest thing ever to happen to sprint car racing. He was the highlight of my Nationals last year on Saturday night by talking a ton of shit inside the back of a pickup while it was raining... pretty hard ain't he.? Ha, not!
Friday night at Hartford should be a fun show if guys like Garner, Bakker, Peters, Lambertz, Marlon all show up to go with Winters, Wolfgang, and Dover who are already confirmed on coming. Hopefully there are 15 true 410s and a few more good 360s sprinkled in to make it a good show for the fans. The fans need to turn out for this event so there can be more in the future at Hartford on more of a regular basis.
The (semi) Report from Sunday can be found HERE if you missed it.
Johnny Herrera amazingly picked up his 3rd win at Knoxville on the year, again from the front row, and was saved by the rubber as McCarl and Sammy were coming to get him. Pretty frustraing circumstances so far regarding the track conditions thus far in Knoxville. Hopefully that turns around starting on Saturday. The points are also updated to the right, and usually are up on this site come Sunday as well.
Bad week for Donny Schatz as he spun out while in the lead at Attica by tangling with a lapped car and then spinning out the night after in Michigan, but would charge back up to a top 10. His point lead dwindled big time again allowing the King and Saldana to move up (points are updated on the right). "The Low Rider" Dale Blaney picked up a crowd-pleasing win on Friday at Attica as Jason Meyers picked up his 3rd win of the sesaon as he chopped off a ton of points from Schatz as well.
Thats all for now as I'll wrap it up. Lets pray we get to see some racing on Friday and Sunday for sure, and you know where to check up next week for more news and updates!
We got 6 laps in since Winters spun out and Dover flipped wildly into the catch fence in turn 1 before the race was stopped due to rain. Chad Meyer was looking damn fast on the cushion and Lynton Jeffrey was just as fast running the bottom on the perfect track conditions. T-Mac quickly worked his way up to 4th from his 9th starting position and had just got around Mark Dobmeier for that 4th spot and has his sights set on Clint Garner and the front 2 until Dover dumped his #53 machine.
It looked like a pretty nasty wreck at the time, but he was fine, and the car rolled out back so his 'amazingly, God-given talented' crew chief could get to work on fixing it. A little sarcasm there as he is a complete tool who thinks he knows everything and is the greatest thing ever to happen to sprint car racing. He was the highlight of my Nationals last year on Saturday night by talking a ton of shit inside the back of a pickup while it was raining... pretty hard ain't he.? Ha, not!
Friday night at Hartford should be a fun show if guys like Garner, Bakker, Peters, Lambertz, Marlon all show up to go with Winters, Wolfgang, and Dover who are already confirmed on coming. Hopefully there are 15 true 410s and a few more good 360s sprinkled in to make it a good show for the fans. The fans need to turn out for this event so there can be more in the future at Hartford on more of a regular basis.
The (semi) Report from Sunday can be found HERE if you missed it.
Johnny Herrera amazingly picked up his 3rd win at Knoxville on the year, again from the front row, and was saved by the rubber as McCarl and Sammy were coming to get him. Pretty frustraing circumstances so far regarding the track conditions thus far in Knoxville. Hopefully that turns around starting on Saturday. The points are also updated to the right, and usually are up on this site come Sunday as well.
Bad week for Donny Schatz as he spun out while in the lead at Attica by tangling with a lapped car and then spinning out the night after in Michigan, but would charge back up to a top 10. His point lead dwindled big time again allowing the King and Saldana to move up (points are updated on the right). "The Low Rider" Dale Blaney picked up a crowd-pleasing win on Friday at Attica as Jason Meyers picked up his 3rd win of the sesaon as he chopped off a ton of points from Schatz as well.
Thats all for now as I'll wrap it up. Lets pray we get to see some racing on Friday and Sunday for sure, and you know where to check up next week for more news and updates!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Huset's Double Header Weekend
What an interesting, yet, very entertaining 2 nights of racing we got to witness on Sunday and Monday night at Huset's. I'm still shaking my head at the actions and festivities we were able to see from what happened. God, that was fun Sunday night. Probably going to be the night to remember in 2009 at the race track, too bad its all fuzzy from my good friend BL.
Sunday's report can be found HERE. Didn't quite get the amount of responses as I was looking for, but most of those were directed in another thread towards McCarl.
Monday's report can be found HERE. That one has been on chili pepper fire since it was posted earlier in the day.
As many as you know, I'm a pro-McCarl fan of his racing, and an even bigger fan of his antics on the microphone and out back at the trailer. What he did Sunday night was just the beginning of whats going to be the Terry McCarl "You just pissed me off so much Huset's, that I'm going to start kicking everyone's ass now since I'm that much more motivated" Summer Tour.
I completely agree with what he did after getting screwed over by the officials, and I would have done the same thing. There is no doubt in my mind, or in his mind after reading his PRESS RELEASE, that he was going to win that race from 24th. WE as race fans were cheated out of what could have been the best race, not only we'd see this year, but possibly for years to come. We would talk to our kids and future grandkids one day of the night McCarl came from 24th to win at Huset's. But that didn't get to happen since some official had a hard-on to bust his ass.. no pun intended.
As far as I'm concerned, he was driving with (atleast) 1 middle finger up in time trials, after he took the lead in the heat, and after taking the lead in the A when he was cruising to the win. Classic interview following the races as well.. God, its been awhile since we've got to hear one of those, and it was way overdue!
Good to see the "Mad Man" Kerry Madsen up for the weekend, and take the challenge on Monday night. He took a good shot at McCarl on the microphone as well during intermission for sandbagging in time trials. Hopefully he continues to come up as he's really fast, but has never had any luck at Huset's.
There should be a decent amount of cars on Sunday with Tony Bruce, Jr., and Jack Dover coming back. Sounds like McCarl will be back for sure with Lynton following him. Hopefully Madsen comes back again next week or in the near future. And it sounds like TK is flying back this week for Knoxville and possibly Huset's on Sunday. It could be another great Sunday night at the track if most of these guys come back!
Shout to the 23w for looking good again this weekend, especially on Monday night as he found something in the 2nd half of the race. Great to hang around you guys and your friends Sunday night following the races.
Next report comes Sunday, points are updated from Knoxville, Huset's and the WoO on the right, and go ahead and vote for the new poll at the bottom! Thanks for stopping in.
Sunday's report can be found HERE. Didn't quite get the amount of responses as I was looking for, but most of those were directed in another thread towards McCarl.
Monday's report can be found HERE. That one has been on chili pepper fire since it was posted earlier in the day.
As many as you know, I'm a pro-McCarl fan of his racing, and an even bigger fan of his antics on the microphone and out back at the trailer. What he did Sunday night was just the beginning of whats going to be the Terry McCarl "You just pissed me off so much Huset's, that I'm going to start kicking everyone's ass now since I'm that much more motivated" Summer Tour.
I completely agree with what he did after getting screwed over by the officials, and I would have done the same thing. There is no doubt in my mind, or in his mind after reading his PRESS RELEASE, that he was going to win that race from 24th. WE as race fans were cheated out of what could have been the best race, not only we'd see this year, but possibly for years to come. We would talk to our kids and future grandkids one day of the night McCarl came from 24th to win at Huset's. But that didn't get to happen since some official had a hard-on to bust his ass.. no pun intended.
As far as I'm concerned, he was driving with (atleast) 1 middle finger up in time trials, after he took the lead in the heat, and after taking the lead in the A when he was cruising to the win. Classic interview following the races as well.. God, its been awhile since we've got to hear one of those, and it was way overdue!
Good to see the "Mad Man" Kerry Madsen up for the weekend, and take the challenge on Monday night. He took a good shot at McCarl on the microphone as well during intermission for sandbagging in time trials. Hopefully he continues to come up as he's really fast, but has never had any luck at Huset's.
There should be a decent amount of cars on Sunday with Tony Bruce, Jr., and Jack Dover coming back. Sounds like McCarl will be back for sure with Lynton following him. Hopefully Madsen comes back again next week or in the near future. And it sounds like TK is flying back this week for Knoxville and possibly Huset's on Sunday. It could be another great Sunday night at the track if most of these guys come back!
Shout to the 23w for looking good again this weekend, especially on Monday night as he found something in the 2nd half of the race. Great to hang around you guys and your friends Sunday night following the races.
Next report comes Sunday, points are updated from Knoxville, Huset's and the WoO on the right, and go ahead and vote for the new poll at the bottom! Thanks for stopping in.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Huset's Opener Recap & Other Racing News
I covered the legits of all the happenings of the Huset's opener in the Season Debut of the Big J Report, which can be found HERE.
But to touch on a few things that stick out still in my mind. Great to see Terry McCarl drive overnight from Eldora just because he wanted to run Huset's infront of the fans and his owner. Kudos to that whole team as I can't wait to see more of the team in the future. Mark Dobmeier was in trouble on that last restart until McCarl was knocked down to 7 cylinders due to a rock, but he still got the win, so congrats to him as well. Great to see Clint Garner come up through the back as well after having problems in the heat. I really hope he runs the whole year as he is always fast at Huset's.
The track conditions sucked, but they always suck for the opener. We're very fortunate more shit wasn't broken then what already was. The car counts are down right now, but I think they'll go up gradually over the next few weeks. I'm hoping for 20 cars to give more lap traffic for the leaders, because there are about 9 guys that can go out and win on any given night right now. McCarl, Dobs, Garner, Chad Meyer, Gregg Bakker, Jake Peters, Scott Winters, Lynton Jeffrey, and Johnn Cressman.
That back row challenge that will continue to go up will only entice McCarl and others to make the trip on Sunday nights as it could lead to a very, very big payday for someone. Thanks to Baete Forseth for doing that this year.
Will we get to see Tim Kaeding on Sunday since he's going to be running Knoxville for most of the summer? I'm pretty sure the car goes back to Forbrook's every week now that he's the crew chief, and Roth is footing the bills and he has a never ending wallet. I really hope we get to see him in the upcoming weeks. The same could be said for Kerry Madsen now that the #55 has dropped off tour starting with the east coast swing.
Points are updated on the right for Huset's, Knoxville, and the WoO after their race Tuesday night in Delaware. Thanks for reading, we'll get it updated again following Huset's on Sunday. Hope to see some of you out at Jackson as well for the big 360 show on Friday!
Huset's results with Dobmeier and Brock Dump scoring wins can be seen HERE.
And World of Outlaw story and results that seen The Dude pick up his 1st win of the year in Delaware can be seen HERE as well.
But to touch on a few things that stick out still in my mind. Great to see Terry McCarl drive overnight from Eldora just because he wanted to run Huset's infront of the fans and his owner. Kudos to that whole team as I can't wait to see more of the team in the future. Mark Dobmeier was in trouble on that last restart until McCarl was knocked down to 7 cylinders due to a rock, but he still got the win, so congrats to him as well. Great to see Clint Garner come up through the back as well after having problems in the heat. I really hope he runs the whole year as he is always fast at Huset's.
The track conditions sucked, but they always suck for the opener. We're very fortunate more shit wasn't broken then what already was. The car counts are down right now, but I think they'll go up gradually over the next few weeks. I'm hoping for 20 cars to give more lap traffic for the leaders, because there are about 9 guys that can go out and win on any given night right now. McCarl, Dobs, Garner, Chad Meyer, Gregg Bakker, Jake Peters, Scott Winters, Lynton Jeffrey, and Johnn Cressman.
That back row challenge that will continue to go up will only entice McCarl and others to make the trip on Sunday nights as it could lead to a very, very big payday for someone. Thanks to Baete Forseth for doing that this year.
Will we get to see Tim Kaeding on Sunday since he's going to be running Knoxville for most of the summer? I'm pretty sure the car goes back to Forbrook's every week now that he's the crew chief, and Roth is footing the bills and he has a never ending wallet. I really hope we get to see him in the upcoming weeks. The same could be said for Kerry Madsen now that the #55 has dropped off tour starting with the east coast swing.
Points are updated on the right for Huset's, Knoxville, and the WoO after their race Tuesday night in Delaware. Thanks for reading, we'll get it updated again following Huset's on Sunday. Hope to see some of you out at Jackson as well for the big 360 show on Friday!
Huset's results with Dobmeier and Brock Dump scoring wins can be seen HERE.
And World of Outlaw story and results that seen The Dude pick up his 1st win of the year in Delaware can be seen HERE as well.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Huset's "Flooded" & Knoxville FUN
Alright, so I think I'm finally caught up on the sleep that I pretty much didn't get thanks to that great town of Knoxville, Iowa. But before we get into the festivities from there, lets talk about the bullshit the Rubins pulled during the week by cancelling their Friday WoO show on Wednesday. It was cancelled due to "flooded and wet conditions." Hmmmmm, when I drove home on Friday, that track sure didn't look too flooded or even wet to me!
Typical move coming from the track that could be an even bigger cash-cow if the right people were in charge. After talking to people down in Knoxville, it sounded like this race was never going to happen anyways as reports surfaced earlier in the week they would cancel due to the weather forecast. I'd like to thank them for making me realize that Knoxville "eats pieces of shit like them for breakfast" (thank you Shooter McGavin), and I'll try to spend as much time and money this summer in Iowa as possible, and not at Huset's.
Anyways, off to the trip down to Knoxville with my buddy Reid as we left Sioux Falls a little after 11am. Made some great time and even better gas mileage with a shocking 43 MPG on the way down in my Galant. That set the mood for a good time at Slideways and Dingus before the races, only to see the longest line ever for tickets that stretched to probably 200+ deep in each line. Great turnout for the spring WoO show only to see Donny Schatz drop the fastest time I've ever seen there at 14.589 in time trials.. wow that was fucking fast. Great car turnout with 57 360s and 47 410s for a cheap $27 ticket.. so we knew we were in for a long night, but also a great night of racing.
The 360 feature saw some kid I've never seen before take off with the win. Congrats to Matt Covington for conquering the field in only his 3rd time signing in at Knoxville. Clint Garner would have got him if there were a couple more laps or even a late yellow, but it never came for the fastest guy on the track. Gregg Bakker ended up 3rd giving the SoDak drivers 2/3rds of the podium.
Then it was time for the big boys with Brian Brown and his uncle, Danny Lasoski on the front row. Everyone expected The Dude to take off with the lead from the front row, but it was the younger family member leading the first 14 laps before Terry McCarl in the Big Game Treestands #24. It was at about this point the track started to lay a little rubber, and also time that Schatz in the ArmorAll #15 crept into 2nd behind McCarl. T-Mac was having issues getting around Dusty Zomer for the longest time as Zomer was locked into the rubber. McCarl ended up getting way too tight late in the race, which resulted in Schatz getting by him with 5 laps to go. There was a late caution producing a green, white, checkered finish but it wouldn't matter as Schatz went on to win his 92nd career A feature win with the Outlaws. McCarl held on for a disappointing 2nd ahead of Steve Kinser who got by Brownie on the last restart.
Now the post-race festivities were beginning and after stopping to talk to the 23w and Zomer, it was off to Dingus for a couple brewskies before finding something to do. Saw some hilarious things happen inside the Dingus with a WoO driver in the top 5 in points (he will remain unnamed) kissing some major ass, but thats another topic for another day. Talked to my buddy Evan in there and he said to head on over to turns 3 and 4 for the after-party. Reid went to pass out in the car so it was just me and some people I've never been around before.. and it turned out to be one of the best times of my life. Big shout out to Tod and Terry for letting me invade their space and get to know them a little bit. It was also amazing to hang around the drivers I have looked up to over the years and get to know them a little bit on a personal basis. Got back to the car just before 5am and got a solid 2 hours of sleep before waking up with the sun at 7am, and it was onto the road again for the 5 hour trip back to Sioux Falls. We somehow made it alive, in one piece, and in no trouble at all. Out of the car I went and into my bed for a hefty mid-afternoon nap.
The Report will debut on Sunday at Huset's if they decide to ever have a season opener. Keep up to date with everything Husets, Knoxville, and WoO with points over on the right side and the blog coming once a week.
Knoxville Rundown
A-main (25 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 15-Donny Schatz[7] [$10,000]
2) 24-Terry McCarl[3] [$5,500]
3) 11-Steve Kinser[5] [$3,200]
4) 21-Brian Brown[1] [$2,800]
5) R19-Jac Haudenschild[4] [$2,500]
6) 6-Danny Lasoski[2] [$2,300]
7) 41-Jason Johnson[8] [$2,200]
8) 7S-Jason Sides[10] [$2,100]
9) 19-Craig Dollansky[22] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[9] [$2,000]
11) 1X-Randy Hannagan[13] [$1,500]
12) 9-Joey Saldana[11] [$1,200]
13) 83-Tim Kaeding[23] [$1,100]
14) 2W-Johnny Herrera[24] [$1,050]
15) 21AU-Brooke Tatnell[16] [$1,000]
16) 55-Kerry Madsen[25] [$100]
17) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[20] [$800]
18) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[21] [$800]
19) 17G-Dusty Zomer[6] [$800]
20) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[26] [$0]
21) 20-Kraig Kinser[17] [$800]
22) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[19] [$800]
23) 1-Bronson Maeschen[18] [$800]
24) 2-Skip Jackson[14] [$800]
25) 70-Calvin Landis[15] [$800]
26) 10J-Jeffrey Lynton[12] [$800]
Kerry Madsen and Lucas Wolfe used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-14, Terry McCarl 15-20, Donny Schatz 21-25
Typical move coming from the track that could be an even bigger cash-cow if the right people were in charge. After talking to people down in Knoxville, it sounded like this race was never going to happen anyways as reports surfaced earlier in the week they would cancel due to the weather forecast. I'd like to thank them for making me realize that Knoxville "eats pieces of shit like them for breakfast" (thank you Shooter McGavin), and I'll try to spend as much time and money this summer in Iowa as possible, and not at Huset's.
Anyways, off to the trip down to Knoxville with my buddy Reid as we left Sioux Falls a little after 11am. Made some great time and even better gas mileage with a shocking 43 MPG on the way down in my Galant. That set the mood for a good time at Slideways and Dingus before the races, only to see the longest line ever for tickets that stretched to probably 200+ deep in each line. Great turnout for the spring WoO show only to see Donny Schatz drop the fastest time I've ever seen there at 14.589 in time trials.. wow that was fucking fast. Great car turnout with 57 360s and 47 410s for a cheap $27 ticket.. so we knew we were in for a long night, but also a great night of racing.
The 360 feature saw some kid I've never seen before take off with the win. Congrats to Matt Covington for conquering the field in only his 3rd time signing in at Knoxville. Clint Garner would have got him if there were a couple more laps or even a late yellow, but it never came for the fastest guy on the track. Gregg Bakker ended up 3rd giving the SoDak drivers 2/3rds of the podium.
Then it was time for the big boys with Brian Brown and his uncle, Danny Lasoski on the front row. Everyone expected The Dude to take off with the lead from the front row, but it was the younger family member leading the first 14 laps before Terry McCarl in the Big Game Treestands #24. It was at about this point the track started to lay a little rubber, and also time that Schatz in the ArmorAll #15 crept into 2nd behind McCarl. T-Mac was having issues getting around Dusty Zomer for the longest time as Zomer was locked into the rubber. McCarl ended up getting way too tight late in the race, which resulted in Schatz getting by him with 5 laps to go. There was a late caution producing a green, white, checkered finish but it wouldn't matter as Schatz went on to win his 92nd career A feature win with the Outlaws. McCarl held on for a disappointing 2nd ahead of Steve Kinser who got by Brownie on the last restart.
Now the post-race festivities were beginning and after stopping to talk to the 23w and Zomer, it was off to Dingus for a couple brewskies before finding something to do. Saw some hilarious things happen inside the Dingus with a WoO driver in the top 5 in points (he will remain unnamed) kissing some major ass, but thats another topic for another day. Talked to my buddy Evan in there and he said to head on over to turns 3 and 4 for the after-party. Reid went to pass out in the car so it was just me and some people I've never been around before.. and it turned out to be one of the best times of my life. Big shout out to Tod and Terry for letting me invade their space and get to know them a little bit. It was also amazing to hang around the drivers I have looked up to over the years and get to know them a little bit on a personal basis. Got back to the car just before 5am and got a solid 2 hours of sleep before waking up with the sun at 7am, and it was onto the road again for the 5 hour trip back to Sioux Falls. We somehow made it alive, in one piece, and in no trouble at all. Out of the car I went and into my bed for a hefty mid-afternoon nap.
The Report will debut on Sunday at Huset's if they decide to ever have a season opener. Keep up to date with everything Husets, Knoxville, and WoO with points over on the right side and the blog coming once a week.
Knoxville Rundown
A-main (25 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 15-Donny Schatz[7] [$10,000]
2) 24-Terry McCarl[3] [$5,500]
3) 11-Steve Kinser[5] [$3,200]
4) 21-Brian Brown[1] [$2,800]
5) R19-Jac Haudenschild[4] [$2,500]
6) 6-Danny Lasoski[2] [$2,300]
7) 41-Jason Johnson[8] [$2,200]
8) 7S-Jason Sides[10] [$2,100]
9) 19-Craig Dollansky[22] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[9] [$2,000]
11) 1X-Randy Hannagan[13] [$1,500]
12) 9-Joey Saldana[11] [$1,200]
13) 83-Tim Kaeding[23] [$1,100]
14) 2W-Johnny Herrera[24] [$1,050]
15) 21AU-Brooke Tatnell[16] [$1,000]
16) 55-Kerry Madsen[25] [$100]
17) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[20] [$800]
18) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[21] [$800]
19) 17G-Dusty Zomer[6] [$800]
20) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[26] [$0]
21) 20-Kraig Kinser[17] [$800]
22) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[19] [$800]
23) 1-Bronson Maeschen[18] [$800]
24) 2-Skip Jackson[14] [$800]
25) 70-Calvin Landis[15] [$800]
26) 10J-Jeffrey Lynton[12] [$800]
Kerry Madsen and Lucas Wolfe used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-14, Terry McCarl 15-20, Donny Schatz 21-25
Monday, April 20, 2009
Meyers & Mother Nature Capture Wins
First of all, there's a new look to the blog as the black was getting a little old. Second, thanks to all 14 of you who stopped in and voted on the Knoxville poll at the bottom. The winner of the poll was Dusty Zomer with 35% of the vote. It should be a very interesting year down in Knoxville as its wide open with Zomer, Mark Dobmeier, Brian Brown, Skip Jackson, Billy Alley, Johnny Herrera and possibly (still holding out hope) Wayne Johnson running the entire year. I can't wait to see how things shake down Saturday for the opener, and the weather is looking phenominal to open things up.
Jason Meyers and the Elite Landscaping/DDNI #14 entered victory lane for the second time on the season at the always racy Paducah International Raceway last Friday night. The thing that made this one incredible, like his other victory, was that Meyers timed like shit in time trials and came forward in the heat to make the dash by finishing top 2 in his heat. Now granted the front row for his heat (Ellenberger, Moughan) was pretty lack-luster, he was still able to redeem that 22nd fastest lap in qualifcations by getting into the dash and then winning that.
He would lead all 30 laps in the feature which was also his 29th career WoO and thats tied for 14th on the all-time list. And wouldn't you know who finished 2nd, yet again, that was one Donny Schatz to extend his point lead to 28 over the King and 40 over Meyers. Joey Saldana was having a great run in the top 5 when he had a right rear go down which resulted in him flipping and finishing in a disappointing 18th as he lost valuable points to the drivers afformentioned. Randy Hannagan was coming in a hurry at the end and charged from 10th to 3rd for another impressive run with the Outlaws. Chad Kemenah showed up in a #6K and finished a very surprising and well-earned 5th after starting 16th; he also earned the KSE Hard Charger award. The points are updated on the right and there was a healthy car count for Friday with 35 cars signing in. Its just too bad Mother Nature won the 2nd night by raining out the race at I-55 especially since there will not be a makeup date for that race.
Friday's Race Rundown
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 14-Jason Meyers[1] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$5,500]
3) 1X-Randy Hannagan[10] [$3,200]
4) 11-Steve Kinser[7] [$2,800]
5) 6K-Chad Kemenah[16] [$2,500]
6) 10-Sammy Swindell[4] [$2,300]
7) 7S-Jason Sides[13] [$2,200]
8) 19-Craig Dollansky[9] [$2,100]
9) 24-Terry McCarl[8] [$2,050]
10) 4-Danny Smith[15] [$2,000]
11) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[18] [$1,500]
12) 55-Kerry Madsen[5] [$1,200]
13) R19-Jac Haudenschild[6] [$1,100]
14) 6-Danny Lasoski[17] [$1,050]
15) 20-Kraig Kinser[19] [$1,000]
16) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[20] [$900]
17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[14] [$800]
18) 9-Joey Saldana[2] [$800]
19) 83-Tim Kaeding[12] [$800]
20) 92-Daron Clayton[21] [$800]
21) 3D-Paul McMahan[22] [$800]
22) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[11] [$800]
23) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[23] [$800]
24) 97-Tommy Worley[24] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Jason Meyers 1-30
Hopefully there's a blog before Saturday with predictions for the Knoxville Raceway, so keep checking up with the blog and don't be scared to comment on it with your predictions as well.
Jason Meyers and the Elite Landscaping/DDNI #14 entered victory lane for the second time on the season at the always racy Paducah International Raceway last Friday night. The thing that made this one incredible, like his other victory, was that Meyers timed like shit in time trials and came forward in the heat to make the dash by finishing top 2 in his heat. Now granted the front row for his heat (Ellenberger, Moughan) was pretty lack-luster, he was still able to redeem that 22nd fastest lap in qualifcations by getting into the dash and then winning that.
He would lead all 30 laps in the feature which was also his 29th career WoO and thats tied for 14th on the all-time list. And wouldn't you know who finished 2nd, yet again, that was one Donny Schatz to extend his point lead to 28 over the King and 40 over Meyers. Joey Saldana was having a great run in the top 5 when he had a right rear go down which resulted in him flipping and finishing in a disappointing 18th as he lost valuable points to the drivers afformentioned. Randy Hannagan was coming in a hurry at the end and charged from 10th to 3rd for another impressive run with the Outlaws. Chad Kemenah showed up in a #6K and finished a very surprising and well-earned 5th after starting 16th; he also earned the KSE Hard Charger award. The points are updated on the right and there was a healthy car count for Friday with 35 cars signing in. Its just too bad Mother Nature won the 2nd night by raining out the race at I-55 especially since there will not be a makeup date for that race.
Friday's Race Rundown
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 14-Jason Meyers[1] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$5,500]
3) 1X-Randy Hannagan[10] [$3,200]
4) 11-Steve Kinser[7] [$2,800]
5) 6K-Chad Kemenah[16] [$2,500]
6) 10-Sammy Swindell[4] [$2,300]
7) 7S-Jason Sides[13] [$2,200]
8) 19-Craig Dollansky[9] [$2,100]
9) 24-Terry McCarl[8] [$2,050]
10) 4-Danny Smith[15] [$2,000]
11) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[18] [$1,500]
12) 55-Kerry Madsen[5] [$1,200]
13) R19-Jac Haudenschild[6] [$1,100]
14) 6-Danny Lasoski[17] [$1,050]
15) 20-Kraig Kinser[19] [$1,000]
16) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[20] [$900]
17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[14] [$800]
18) 9-Joey Saldana[2] [$800]
19) 83-Tim Kaeding[12] [$800]
20) 92-Daron Clayton[21] [$800]
21) 3D-Paul McMahan[22] [$800]
22) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[11] [$800]
23) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[23] [$800]
24) 97-Tommy Worley[24] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Jason Meyers 1-30
Hopefully there's a blog before Saturday with predictions for the Knoxville Raceway, so keep checking up with the blog and don't be scared to comment on it with your predictions as well.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Texas Two-Step
Not gonna have much of a recap as its late from last weeks races, but Joey Saldana in the Budweiser KKR #9 dominated both nights. There was a huge crowd Friday night infront of the newly acquired Lonestar Speedway purchased by the Hafertepe family. I seen a video on youtube of the feature and the track is friggin fast and could be compared to an Eldora minus all that banking.
Then onto Houtson Raceway Park the next night where Saldana dominated again, but he was going to have company if the race went another lap or two with company coming from Donny Schatz and KKR stablemate Craig Dollansky.
Tough weekend for drivers residing in Iowa as T-Mac had 2 DNF's, that coming after it was announced by the WoO he would be running the tour the rest of the way. Then as Wayne Johnson was running 3rd at Lonestar he found trouble as Jac Haudenschild hit a rut, and got into the wall as the wheel literally came out of his hands when he hit the rut. Wayne got upside down in the ordeal and the video is on youtube as well.
Also sad to see that Chad Kemenah is now off-tour after being told by owner Jon Kantor to sell everything following the team's first WoO victory at Manzanita.
Should be a decent amount of followers this weekend (hopefully the rain stays away) at Paducah and Pevely with TK headed back to the midwest for a month, WJ heading back south, Brooke Tatnell making his WoO debut for the 21AU car, and Randy Hannagan trying to capture his 2nd win of the year with the traveling circus.
Friday at Lonestar's Rundown:
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[2] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[6] [$5,500]
3) 11-Steve Kinser[5] [$3,200]
4) 14-Jason Meyers[9] [$2,800]
5) 6-Danny Lasoski[7] [$2,500]
6) 7S-Jason Sides[4] [$2,300]
7) 19-Craig Dollansky[19] [$2,200]
8) 45X-Johnny Herrera[12] [$2,100]
9) 41-Jason Johnson[15] [$2,050]
10) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$2,000]
11) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[16] [$1,500]
12) 10-Sammy Swindell[18] [$1,200]
13) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[10] [$1,100]
14) 55-Kerry Madsen[13] [$1,050]
15) 4X-Toni Lutar[25] [$1,000]
16) 96-Bronson Maeschen[22] [$900]
17) 29-Travis Rilat[17] [$800]
18) 24-Terry McCarl[11] [$800]
19) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[20] [$800]
20) R19-Jac Haudenschild[1] [$800]
21) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[3] [$800]
22) 22-Brian Ellenberger[14] [$800]
23) 51-Wes Miller[24] [$800]
24) 9X-Gary Wright[21] [$800]
25) 12-Lynton Jeffrey[23] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Joey Saldana 1-30
Saturday's Rundown at HRP:
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[4] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[14] [$5,500]
3) 19-Craig Dollansky[3] [$3,200]
4) 6-Danny Lasoski[9] [$2,800]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[2] [$2,500]
6) 45X-Johnny Herrera[5] [$2,300]
7) 10-Sammy Swindell[18] [$2,200]
8) R19-Jac Haudenschild[1] [$2,100]
9) 7S-Jason Sides[17] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[11] [$2,000]
11) 41-Jason Johnson[6] [$1,500]
12) 55-Kerry Madsen[15] [$1,200]
13) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[10] [$1,100]
14) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$1,050]
15) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[12] [$1,000]
16) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[16] [$900]
17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[20] [$800]
18) 29-Travis Rilat[23] [$800]
19) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[13] [$800]
20) 4X-Toni Lutar[21] [$800]
21) 24-Terry McCarl[7] [$800]
22) 96-Bronson Maeschen[19] [$800]
23) 71-Channin Tankersley[22] [$800]
24) 51-Wes Miller[24] [$800]
25) 12-Lynton Jeffrey[25] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Johnny Herrera 1-2; Joey Saldana 3-40
Next blog: Maybe next week, but definitely will have something up before the WoO double dip at Huset's and Knoxville.
Then onto Houtson Raceway Park the next night where Saldana dominated again, but he was going to have company if the race went another lap or two with company coming from Donny Schatz and KKR stablemate Craig Dollansky.
Tough weekend for drivers residing in Iowa as T-Mac had 2 DNF's, that coming after it was announced by the WoO he would be running the tour the rest of the way. Then as Wayne Johnson was running 3rd at Lonestar he found trouble as Jac Haudenschild hit a rut, and got into the wall as the wheel literally came out of his hands when he hit the rut. Wayne got upside down in the ordeal and the video is on youtube as well.
Also sad to see that Chad Kemenah is now off-tour after being told by owner Jon Kantor to sell everything following the team's first WoO victory at Manzanita.
Should be a decent amount of followers this weekend (hopefully the rain stays away) at Paducah and Pevely with TK headed back to the midwest for a month, WJ heading back south, Brooke Tatnell making his WoO debut for the 21AU car, and Randy Hannagan trying to capture his 2nd win of the year with the traveling circus.
Friday at Lonestar's Rundown:
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[2] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[6] [$5,500]
3) 11-Steve Kinser[5] [$3,200]
4) 14-Jason Meyers[9] [$2,800]
5) 6-Danny Lasoski[7] [$2,500]
6) 7S-Jason Sides[4] [$2,300]
7) 19-Craig Dollansky[19] [$2,200]
8) 45X-Johnny Herrera[12] [$2,100]
9) 41-Jason Johnson[15] [$2,050]
10) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$2,000]
11) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[16] [$1,500]
12) 10-Sammy Swindell[18] [$1,200]
13) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[10] [$1,100]
14) 55-Kerry Madsen[13] [$1,050]
15) 4X-Toni Lutar[25] [$1,000]
16) 96-Bronson Maeschen[22] [$900]
17) 29-Travis Rilat[17] [$800]
18) 24-Terry McCarl[11] [$800]
19) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[20] [$800]
20) R19-Jac Haudenschild[1] [$800]
21) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[3] [$800]
22) 22-Brian Ellenberger[14] [$800]
23) 51-Wes Miller[24] [$800]
24) 9X-Gary Wright[21] [$800]
25) 12-Lynton Jeffrey[23] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Joey Saldana 1-30
Saturday's Rundown at HRP:
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[4] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[14] [$5,500]
3) 19-Craig Dollansky[3] [$3,200]
4) 6-Danny Lasoski[9] [$2,800]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[2] [$2,500]
6) 45X-Johnny Herrera[5] [$2,300]
7) 10-Sammy Swindell[18] [$2,200]
8) R19-Jac Haudenschild[1] [$2,100]
9) 7S-Jason Sides[17] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[11] [$2,000]
11) 41-Jason Johnson[6] [$1,500]
12) 55-Kerry Madsen[15] [$1,200]
13) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[10] [$1,100]
14) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$1,050]
15) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[12] [$1,000]
16) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[16] [$900]
17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[20] [$800]
18) 29-Travis Rilat[23] [$800]
19) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[13] [$800]
20) 4X-Toni Lutar[21] [$800]
21) 24-Terry McCarl[7] [$800]
22) 96-Bronson Maeschen[19] [$800]
23) 71-Channin Tankersley[22] [$800]
24) 51-Wes Miller[24] [$800]
25) 12-Lynton Jeffrey[25] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Johnny Herrera 1-2; Joey Saldana 3-40
Next blog: Maybe next week, but definitely will have something up before the WoO double dip at Huset's and Knoxville.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tulare Wrap-up.. finally
So I've been putzing around with these WoO results for a few nights now so while I can't sleep and I'm jamming out I figured its about time to post about what happened, even though its likely you've already got an in-depth review of both the nights.
Night 1 went to Randy Hannagan, and yes, ya I didn't stutter.. Randy Hannagan won. I absolutely went nuts when I got the text message stating he brought home the cash. He was able to hold off a fast Sammy Swindell on a very choppy race track late in the race to bring home his 2nd career WoO A Main victory. Great to see him pull off the victory and pretty amazing to see Peter Murphy win the dash and go onto lead the first 10 laps of the feature. Jason Solwold in the Beef Packers 83JR for the first night came home 3rd with an impressive run. This guy just needs the laps in order to stay in shape in order to compete with these guys on a nightly basis, great run for one of the coolest guys to strap it up. FYI, both Steve and Kraig Kinser had to burn a provisional in order to start the feature with Steve taking a big hit in the points with a 16th place finish.
Night 2 went to a repeat victor in Joey Saldana in the Budweiser KKR #9. This was his series tying 3rd victory of the season since the switch to Maxim in the offseason. The track was totally different from night 1 with the cushion all the way up against the wall and it completely slicked off. There was a worry of rubber-down conditions coming but they never came. Swindell led the first few laps before Terry McCarl in the Big Game Treestands #24 took the point on lap 8 from him. The nonstop race would change hands one last time on lap 14 with Saldana passing McCarl. T-Mac was able to keep pace with Saldana by pulling even with him late in the race, but it wasn't enough in traffic as Saldana hung on to pick up the win as McCarl held onto 2nd with Swindell finishing a distant third behind those two.
There was a Donny Schatz sighting in the top five on the Cali trip with him finishing 4th to save some face/points on the trip before heading to closing Manzanita on Saturday. I was able to update the points rather quickly after the double header but just never got the energy to post a blog. If I find the energy sometime soon I will be posting on the debacle that Knoxville Raceway is calling their 410 format for the upcoming season that has already pissed off a couple of elite racers that were gonna run for the $20K title...
Saturday's Rundown
A-main (35 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[3] [$10,000]
2) 24-Terry McCarl[2] [$5,000]
3) 10-Sammy Swindell[1] [$3,000]
4) 15-Donny Schatz[4] [$2,700]
5) 19-Craig Dollansky[8] [$2,500]
6) 83-Tim Kaeding[5] [$2,200]
7) 8K-Chad Kemenah[10] [$2,000]
8) 1X-Randy Hannagan[11] [$1,800]
9) 11-Steve Kinser[7] [$1,600]
10) 55-Kerry Madsen[9] [$1,450]
11) 14-Jason Meyers[12] [$1,300]
12) 83T-Brad Sweet[18] [$1,200]
13) 7S-Jason Sides[15] [$1,100]
14) R19-Jac Haudenschild[22] [$1,000]
15) O-Jonathan Allard[6] [$950]
16) 11C-Roger Crockett[14] [$900]
17) 6-Danny Lasoski[25] [$150]
18) 35A-Wayne Johnson[19] [$750]
19) 6X-Kyle Hirst[20] [$725]
20) 20-Kraig Kinser[21] [$700]
21) 83JR-Jason Solwold[17] [$700]
22) 22-Brian Ellenberger[26] [$0]
23) 4X-Toni Lutar[13] [$700]
24) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[16] [$700]
25) 24T-Tyler Walker[23] [$700]
26) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[24] [$700]
Note: Danny Lasoski and Brian Ellenberger used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Sammy Swindell 1-7; Terry McCarl 8-13; Joey Saldana 14-35
Friday's Rundown:
A-main (35 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 1X-Randy Hannagan[4] [$10,000]
2) 10-Sammy Swindell[3] [$5,000]
3) 83JR-Jason Solwold[2] [$3,000]
4) 24T-Tyler Walker[5] [$2,700]
5) R19-Jac Haudenschild[8] [$2,500]
6) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$2,200]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[9] [$2,000]
8) 83-Tim Kaeding[13] [$1,800]
9) 13-Peter Murphy[1] [$1,600]
10) 9-Joey Saldana[12] [$1,450]
11) O-Jonathan Allard[17] [$1,300]
12) 15-Donny Schatz[6] [$1,200]
13) 19-Craig Dollansky[19] [$1,100]
14) 55-Kerry Madsen[24] [$1,000]
15) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[15] [$950]
16) 11-Steve Kinser[25] [$200]
17) 11C-Roger Crockett[14] [$850]
18) 7S-Jason Sides[16] [$750]
19) 6-Danny Lasoski[22] [$725]
20) 20-Kraig Kinser[26] [$0]
21) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[10] [$700]
22) 33E-Evan Suggs[21] [$700]
23) 35A-Wayne Johnson[18] [$700]
24) 6X-Kyle Hirst[23] [$700]
25) 21-Tommy Tarlton[11] [$700]
26) 22B-Ben Gregg[20] [$700]
Note: Steve Kinser and Kraig Kinser both used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Peter Murphy 1-10, Randy Hannagan 11-35
Night 1 went to Randy Hannagan, and yes, ya I didn't stutter.. Randy Hannagan won. I absolutely went nuts when I got the text message stating he brought home the cash. He was able to hold off a fast Sammy Swindell on a very choppy race track late in the race to bring home his 2nd career WoO A Main victory. Great to see him pull off the victory and pretty amazing to see Peter Murphy win the dash and go onto lead the first 10 laps of the feature. Jason Solwold in the Beef Packers 83JR for the first night came home 3rd with an impressive run. This guy just needs the laps in order to stay in shape in order to compete with these guys on a nightly basis, great run for one of the coolest guys to strap it up. FYI, both Steve and Kraig Kinser had to burn a provisional in order to start the feature with Steve taking a big hit in the points with a 16th place finish.
Night 2 went to a repeat victor in Joey Saldana in the Budweiser KKR #9. This was his series tying 3rd victory of the season since the switch to Maxim in the offseason. The track was totally different from night 1 with the cushion all the way up against the wall and it completely slicked off. There was a worry of rubber-down conditions coming but they never came. Swindell led the first few laps before Terry McCarl in the Big Game Treestands #24 took the point on lap 8 from him. The nonstop race would change hands one last time on lap 14 with Saldana passing McCarl. T-Mac was able to keep pace with Saldana by pulling even with him late in the race, but it wasn't enough in traffic as Saldana hung on to pick up the win as McCarl held onto 2nd with Swindell finishing a distant third behind those two.
There was a Donny Schatz sighting in the top five on the Cali trip with him finishing 4th to save some face/points on the trip before heading to closing Manzanita on Saturday. I was able to update the points rather quickly after the double header but just never got the energy to post a blog. If I find the energy sometime soon I will be posting on the debacle that Knoxville Raceway is calling their 410 format for the upcoming season that has already pissed off a couple of elite racers that were gonna run for the $20K title...
Saturday's Rundown
A-main (35 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[3] [$10,000]
2) 24-Terry McCarl[2] [$5,000]
3) 10-Sammy Swindell[1] [$3,000]
4) 15-Donny Schatz[4] [$2,700]
5) 19-Craig Dollansky[8] [$2,500]
6) 83-Tim Kaeding[5] [$2,200]
7) 8K-Chad Kemenah[10] [$2,000]
8) 1X-Randy Hannagan[11] [$1,800]
9) 11-Steve Kinser[7] [$1,600]
10) 55-Kerry Madsen[9] [$1,450]
11) 14-Jason Meyers[12] [$1,300]
12) 83T-Brad Sweet[18] [$1,200]
13) 7S-Jason Sides[15] [$1,100]
14) R19-Jac Haudenschild[22] [$1,000]
15) O-Jonathan Allard[6] [$950]
16) 11C-Roger Crockett[14] [$900]
17) 6-Danny Lasoski[25] [$150]
18) 35A-Wayne Johnson[19] [$750]
19) 6X-Kyle Hirst[20] [$725]
20) 20-Kraig Kinser[21] [$700]
21) 83JR-Jason Solwold[17] [$700]
22) 22-Brian Ellenberger[26] [$0]
23) 4X-Toni Lutar[13] [$700]
24) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[16] [$700]
25) 24T-Tyler Walker[23] [$700]
26) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[24] [$700]
Note: Danny Lasoski and Brian Ellenberger used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Sammy Swindell 1-7; Terry McCarl 8-13; Joey Saldana 14-35
Friday's Rundown:
A-main (35 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 1X-Randy Hannagan[4] [$10,000]
2) 10-Sammy Swindell[3] [$5,000]
3) 83JR-Jason Solwold[2] [$3,000]
4) 24T-Tyler Walker[5] [$2,700]
5) R19-Jac Haudenschild[8] [$2,500]
6) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$2,200]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[9] [$2,000]
8) 83-Tim Kaeding[13] [$1,800]
9) 13-Peter Murphy[1] [$1,600]
10) 9-Joey Saldana[12] [$1,450]
11) O-Jonathan Allard[17] [$1,300]
12) 15-Donny Schatz[6] [$1,200]
13) 19-Craig Dollansky[19] [$1,100]
14) 55-Kerry Madsen[24] [$1,000]
15) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[15] [$950]
16) 11-Steve Kinser[25] [$200]
17) 11C-Roger Crockett[14] [$850]
18) 7S-Jason Sides[16] [$750]
19) 6-Danny Lasoski[22] [$725]
20) 20-Kraig Kinser[26] [$0]
21) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[10] [$700]
22) 33E-Evan Suggs[21] [$700]
23) 35A-Wayne Johnson[18] [$700]
24) 6X-Kyle Hirst[23] [$700]
25) 21-Tommy Tarlton[11] [$700]
26) 22B-Ben Gregg[20] [$700]
Note: Steve Kinser and Kraig Kinser both used World of Outlaws provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Peter Murphy 1-10, Randy Hannagan 11-35
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mini Gold Cup
Just getting around to writing a quick wrap up of the WoO weekend up at Chico and it sounds like after reading the rundowns that Friday night was pretty phenominal while Saturday struggled to live up to Friday, even though Saturday provided excitement in the heats with Jason Meyers going 8th to 2nd for a dash spot and T-Mac going last to 5th to garner a transfer spot for the A.
Joey Saldana made it 5 for 5 for the million dollar operations (KKR & TSR) after winning Friday nights race from the 3rd row. That race included something like 12 cautions and 2 red flags for the 40 lap race and it took over an hour to complete. Sounded like the track was pretty tacky with some ruts, but from what I saw there was some great racing action when the green flag was out. Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser avoided all of the trouble and ended up making mega-runs from the back of the pack to finish in the top five to save a lot of points.
Onto Saturday night with the track taking some rubber in the dash, as reported, but the heat races were pretty interesting on a slicker surface with those runs being made by Meyers and McCarl. Lots of passing going on throughout, but the feature wasn't as good even though Lasoski did challenge for the lead from Meyers on the backstretch of the last lap, but did come a little short as Meyers held on to win for the first time year. Great weekend for the DDNI #14 as they finished 2nd with a 1st. Saturday's win came after timing in at 31st on the night and going 8th to 2nd in his heat to make the dash. He definitely earned the win after a dismal qualifying effort.
Horrible weekend for the 3 time defending champion as his struggles continued at Chico with a fuel-line issue that sent him to the back on Friday (still finished 10th) and then struggling again on Saturday by coming home 13th. The points really shrank after these two races with The King and Meyers making up massive ground in that ground. The struggles could continue for Schatz as the WoO stays in Cali and head to Tulare, another short track he's struggled at in the past, for a double header starting Friday. I'll hopefully get a blog up a little quicker by this time next week recapping those races at the Thunderbowl!
Saturday Results
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 14-Jason Meyers[1] [$10,000]
2) 6-Danny Lasoski[10] [$5,000]
3) 20-Kraig Kinser[2] [$3,000]
4) 19-Craig Dollansky[6] [$2,700]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[4] [$2,500]
6) 7S-Jason Sides[7] [$2,200]
7) 55-Kerry Madsen[8] [$2,000]
8) R19-Jac Haudenschild[12] [$1,800]
9) 2-Jesse Hockett[9] [$1,600]
10) O-Jonathan Allard[13] [$1,450]
11) 35A-Wayne Johnson[15] [$1,300]
12) 24T-Tyler Walker[14] [$1,200]
13) 15-Donny Schatz[20] [$1,100]
14) 83-Tim Kaeding[16] [$1,000]
15) 6X-Kyle Hirst[19] [$950]
16) 1X-Randy Hannagan[11] [$900]
17) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[17] [$850]
18) 24-Terry McCarl[24] [$750]
19) 9-Joey Saldana[5] [$725]
20) 2SB-Sean Becker[23] [$700]
21) 8K-Chad Kemenah[18] [$700]
22) 26B-Bobby McMahan[21] [$700]
23) 11C-Roger Crockett[22] [$700]
24) 10-Sammy Swindell[3] [$700]
Lap leaders: Jason Meyers 1-40
Friday Results:
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[5] [$10,000]
2) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$5,000]
3) 24-Terry McCarl[1] [$3,000]
4) 6-Danny Lasoski[21] [$2,700]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[24] [$2,500]
6) 8K-Chad Kemenah[14] [$2,200]
7) 10-Sammy Swindell[10] [$2,000]
8) 1X-Randy Hannagan[6] [$1,800]
9) 55-Kerry Madsen[17] [$1,600]
10) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$1,450]
11) 19-Craig Dollansky[2] [$1,300]
12) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[18] [$1,200]
13) 20-Kraig Kinser[22] [$1,100]
14) 22-Brian Ellenberger[20] [$1,000]
15) 33E-Evan Suggs[19] [$950]
16) 83-Tim Kaeding[11] [$900]
17) O-Jonathan Allard[4] [$850]
18) 24T-Tyler Walker[12] [$750]
19) R19-Jac Haudenschild[8] [$725]
20) 7S-Jason Sides[25] [$0]
21) 92-Andy Forsburg[16] [$700]
22) 6X-Kyle Hurst[13] [$700]
23) 11C-Roger Crockett[9] [$700]
24) 2F-Brad Furr[15] [$700]
25) 1XX-Brett Miller[23] [$700]
Notes: Steve Kinser started 24th in the A-Feature after having to utilize a back-up car after an accident in the Crane Cams Dash.
Jason Sides used a World of Outlaws provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-25, Joey Saldana 26-40
Joey Saldana made it 5 for 5 for the million dollar operations (KKR & TSR) after winning Friday nights race from the 3rd row. That race included something like 12 cautions and 2 red flags for the 40 lap race and it took over an hour to complete. Sounded like the track was pretty tacky with some ruts, but from what I saw there was some great racing action when the green flag was out. Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser avoided all of the trouble and ended up making mega-runs from the back of the pack to finish in the top five to save a lot of points.
Onto Saturday night with the track taking some rubber in the dash, as reported, but the heat races were pretty interesting on a slicker surface with those runs being made by Meyers and McCarl. Lots of passing going on throughout, but the feature wasn't as good even though Lasoski did challenge for the lead from Meyers on the backstretch of the last lap, but did come a little short as Meyers held on to win for the first time year. Great weekend for the DDNI #14 as they finished 2nd with a 1st. Saturday's win came after timing in at 31st on the night and going 8th to 2nd in his heat to make the dash. He definitely earned the win after a dismal qualifying effort.
Horrible weekend for the 3 time defending champion as his struggles continued at Chico with a fuel-line issue that sent him to the back on Friday (still finished 10th) and then struggling again on Saturday by coming home 13th. The points really shrank after these two races with The King and Meyers making up massive ground in that ground. The struggles could continue for Schatz as the WoO stays in Cali and head to Tulare, another short track he's struggled at in the past, for a double header starting Friday. I'll hopefully get a blog up a little quicker by this time next week recapping those races at the Thunderbowl!
Saturday Results
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 14-Jason Meyers[1] [$10,000]
2) 6-Danny Lasoski[10] [$5,000]
3) 20-Kraig Kinser[2] [$3,000]
4) 19-Craig Dollansky[6] [$2,700]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[4] [$2,500]
6) 7S-Jason Sides[7] [$2,200]
7) 55-Kerry Madsen[8] [$2,000]
8) R19-Jac Haudenschild[12] [$1,800]
9) 2-Jesse Hockett[9] [$1,600]
10) O-Jonathan Allard[13] [$1,450]
11) 35A-Wayne Johnson[15] [$1,300]
12) 24T-Tyler Walker[14] [$1,200]
13) 15-Donny Schatz[20] [$1,100]
14) 83-Tim Kaeding[16] [$1,000]
15) 6X-Kyle Hirst[19] [$950]
16) 1X-Randy Hannagan[11] [$900]
17) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[17] [$850]
18) 24-Terry McCarl[24] [$750]
19) 9-Joey Saldana[5] [$725]
20) 2SB-Sean Becker[23] [$700]
21) 8K-Chad Kemenah[18] [$700]
22) 26B-Bobby McMahan[21] [$700]
23) 11C-Roger Crockett[22] [$700]
24) 10-Sammy Swindell[3] [$700]
Lap leaders: Jason Meyers 1-40
Friday Results:
A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 9-Joey Saldana[5] [$10,000]
2) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$5,000]
3) 24-Terry McCarl[1] [$3,000]
4) 6-Danny Lasoski[21] [$2,700]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[24] [$2,500]
6) 8K-Chad Kemenah[14] [$2,200]
7) 10-Sammy Swindell[10] [$2,000]
8) 1X-Randy Hannagan[6] [$1,800]
9) 55-Kerry Madsen[17] [$1,600]
10) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$1,450]
11) 19-Craig Dollansky[2] [$1,300]
12) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[18] [$1,200]
13) 20-Kraig Kinser[22] [$1,100]
14) 22-Brian Ellenberger[20] [$1,000]
15) 33E-Evan Suggs[19] [$950]
16) 83-Tim Kaeding[11] [$900]
17) O-Jonathan Allard[4] [$850]
18) 24T-Tyler Walker[12] [$750]
19) R19-Jac Haudenschild[8] [$725]
20) 7S-Jason Sides[25] [$0]
21) 92-Andy Forsburg[16] [$700]
22) 6X-Kyle Hurst[13] [$700]
23) 11C-Roger Crockett[9] [$700]
24) 2F-Brad Furr[15] [$700]
25) 1XX-Brett Miller[23] [$700]
Notes: Steve Kinser started 24th in the A-Feature after having to utilize a back-up car after an accident in the Crane Cams Dash.
Jason Sides used a World of Outlaws provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-25, Joey Saldana 26-40
Friday, February 27, 2009
WoO Vegas 2/26
Actually woke up from a brief nap just in time to listen to the race last night and it actually had some excitement to it as well. Craig Dollansky jumped out to the lead in his DirecTV KKR #19 from his pole position and usually when he does that, you can write out the check to him, but that was not the case as legendary Sammy Swindell chased him down in the Rolfe Trucking #10 on lap 8. A caution a few laps later bunched the field together and it seemed like Sammy was gone until he got into lapped traffic.
Right after the restart, Donny Schatz blew by Dollansky to move into 2nd, but a distant 2nd at the time. Schatz waited for a long run and traffic to decide the race as he usually does and he blew by Swindell on lap 16 when he was caught up in the middle of the track from a lapper. The race was all but over at this point, but cautions late kept coming out for drivers who were blowing right rears or running out of fuel. Those having problems were Steve Kinser, Jac Haudenschild, Joey Saldana, Chad Kemenah, Tyler Walker and Tim Kaeding (coasted to the finish while in 5th).
All in all, it was a good race by WoO standards as there were 3 leaders and 2 lead changes throughout. But it was the 3 time champ coming out on top for the 3rd time in 4 races. The only thing that is going to keep him from winning the championship will be injury. I hate to say it but everybody else is running for 2nd and it looks like Schatz might actually get to 30 wins this year which is unfathomable. Points are updated in the sidebar to the right with the next race coming in 2 weeks at Chico for 2 nights of the Mini Gold Cup.
Race Rundown:
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$10,000]
2) 10-Sammy Swindell[2] [$5,500]
3) 19-Craig Dollansky[1] [$3,200]
4) 7S-Jason Sides[4] [$2,800]
5) 6-Danny Lasoski[11] [$2,500]
6) 55-Kerry Madsen[5] [$2,300]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[10] [$2,200]
8) 11-Steve Kinser[13] [$2,100]
9) 83JR-Daryn Pittman[14] [$2,050]
10) 20-Kraig Kinser[12] [$2,000]
11) 9-Joey Saldana[7] [$1500]
12) R19-Jac Haudenschild[18] [$1,200]
13) 83-Tim Kaeding[8] [$1,100]
14) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[15] [$1,050]
15) 14-Jason Meyers[24] [$1,000]
16) 1X-Randy Hannagan[9] [$900]
17) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[19] [$800]
18) 22B-Ben Gregg[21] [$800]
19) 9K-Brent Kronfuss[25] [$800]
20) 33-Bobby McMahan[20] [$800]
21) 8K-Chad Kemenah[6] [$800]
22) 24T-Tyler Walker[16] [$800]
23) 13-Jesse Hockett[17] [$800]
24) 4X-Toni Lutar[23] [$800]
25)DNS 45X-Johnny Herrera[22] [$200]
Notes- Jason Meyers had to use a back-up car for the A-Feature after an accident in the dash and thus was required to start 24th World of Outlaws rules. Brent Kronfuss started the A-Feature as the alternate after Johnny Herrera scratched prior to the cars pushing off.
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-7; Sammy Swindell 8-15, Donny Schatz 16-30
Right after the restart, Donny Schatz blew by Dollansky to move into 2nd, but a distant 2nd at the time. Schatz waited for a long run and traffic to decide the race as he usually does and he blew by Swindell on lap 16 when he was caught up in the middle of the track from a lapper. The race was all but over at this point, but cautions late kept coming out for drivers who were blowing right rears or running out of fuel. Those having problems were Steve Kinser, Jac Haudenschild, Joey Saldana, Chad Kemenah, Tyler Walker and Tim Kaeding (coasted to the finish while in 5th).
All in all, it was a good race by WoO standards as there were 3 leaders and 2 lead changes throughout. But it was the 3 time champ coming out on top for the 3rd time in 4 races. The only thing that is going to keep him from winning the championship will be injury. I hate to say it but everybody else is running for 2nd and it looks like Schatz might actually get to 30 wins this year which is unfathomable. Points are updated in the sidebar to the right with the next race coming in 2 weeks at Chico for 2 nights of the Mini Gold Cup.
Race Rundown:
A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$10,000]
2) 10-Sammy Swindell[2] [$5,500]
3) 19-Craig Dollansky[1] [$3,200]
4) 7S-Jason Sides[4] [$2,800]
5) 6-Danny Lasoski[11] [$2,500]
6) 55-Kerry Madsen[5] [$2,300]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[10] [$2,200]
8) 11-Steve Kinser[13] [$2,100]
9) 83JR-Daryn Pittman[14] [$2,050]
10) 20-Kraig Kinser[12] [$2,000]
11) 9-Joey Saldana[7] [$1500]
12) R19-Jac Haudenschild[18] [$1,200]
13) 83-Tim Kaeding[8] [$1,100]
14) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[15] [$1,050]
15) 14-Jason Meyers[24] [$1,000]
16) 1X-Randy Hannagan[9] [$900]
17) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[19] [$800]
18) 22B-Ben Gregg[21] [$800]
19) 9K-Brent Kronfuss[25] [$800]
20) 33-Bobby McMahan[20] [$800]
21) 8K-Chad Kemenah[6] [$800]
22) 24T-Tyler Walker[16] [$800]
23) 13-Jesse Hockett[17] [$800]
24) 4X-Toni Lutar[23] [$800]
25)DNS 45X-Johnny Herrera[22] [$200]
Notes- Jason Meyers had to use a back-up car for the A-Feature after an accident in the dash and thus was required to start 24th World of Outlaws rules. Brent Kronfuss started the A-Feature as the alternate after Johnny Herrera scratched prior to the cars pushing off.
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-7; Sammy Swindell 8-15, Donny Schatz 16-30
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sin City Double Dip
Tonight is the opener of the USAC/WoO Doubleheader for Las Vegas. The USAC shows of the past have been phenominal at the Dirt Track while the WoO shows haven't been anywhere as close to the USAC shows. I definitely would love to be out there for these two shows, but that is going to have to wait for another year as finances as a college student are starting to dwindle in a hurry. Any amount of guys can win tonight, and it should be interesting to see what Mr. McCarl does in his 5th career non-wing start!
The WoO returns to Vegas for the first time since the season finale in 2006 when Donny Schatz wrapped up his first WoO title in the family owned #15 at the time. I'm guessing there will be about 30-35 cars, way down from what it used to be back in the day for the 2 or 3 day Vegas shows. My guess is that Mr. Schatz picks up win #3 on the year at a track he was dominating before the WoO stopped heading to Sin City.
Check back for details on both nights of racing.
Tidbits: Roth Motorsports has hired the one and only Guy Forbrook to be crew chief for the DTR Transport #83JR. Don't know how long this will last, but one things for sure, TK will continue to be balls-to-the-wall with the hammer down.
The next WoO show following Vegas at Ocean Speedway has been postponed to the monsoon that has started to hit the West Coast. Hopefully this show can be put back into the schedule somewhere, and hopefully the Mini Gold Cup as well as the Tulare double-dip get don't see the R word along the way.
The WoO returns to Vegas for the first time since the season finale in 2006 when Donny Schatz wrapped up his first WoO title in the family owned #15 at the time. I'm guessing there will be about 30-35 cars, way down from what it used to be back in the day for the 2 or 3 day Vegas shows. My guess is that Mr. Schatz picks up win #3 on the year at a track he was dominating before the WoO stopped heading to Sin City.
Check back for details on both nights of racing.
Tidbits: Roth Motorsports has hired the one and only Guy Forbrook to be crew chief for the DTR Transport #83JR. Don't know how long this will last, but one things for sure, TK will continue to be balls-to-the-wall with the hammer down.
The next WoO show following Vegas at Ocean Speedway has been postponed to the monsoon that has started to hit the West Coast. Hopefully this show can be put back into the schedule somewhere, and hopefully the Mini Gold Cup as well as the Tulare double-dip get don't see the R word along the way.
Monday, February 9, 2009
WoO Night #3 - 2/8
It was the Donny Schatz show yet again, as he took the lead down the backstretch on the first lap from his 4th starting spot by splitting Cale Conley and Fred Rahmer. He was not challenged the length of the race, which only had an early caution for The Dude, and he led all 30 laps. Typically, one would think this was a boring race, but there was plenty of passing going on in the back..
Kerry Madsen went 25th to 11th in the first 6 laps, but unfortunately didn't do much after that. Steve Kinser was scheduled to start 10th, but elected to start at the back as he was having major engine problems after the heats. I'm guessing he was thinking the car wouldn't take off and he would just pull in with his points and starting money, but that wasn't the case as he was blistering fast coming from the rear! He was coming in a hurry and finished up in the 5th position to save some major points early in the season. It would have been great to see where he would have finished had he started in his slotted spot.
Its looking like Schatz might exceed my expectations of 21 WoO wins as he all ready won 4 of the 6 races he's signed in for (2 with the All-Stars). Schatz's picture is going to be at the top as the banner a lot this season with all this winning going on. Its going to take something drastic for him not to win the championship, but its looking like his competition by The King as he's sitting in 2nd 21 points (can be found to the right) behind after Volusia. Stevie Smith was named the driver of the week for the event as he was the most consistent out of all the competitors not named Schatz. That team has some decisions to make on whether or not to pursue the All-Star title with their massive point lead with that series. Daryn Pittman was a sneaky quick all week long as well, good to see him fast in that #25. The same can be said for Kraig Kinser in the TSR #20. The only news you hear about him is how slow he has been, but he had a very solid week and is sitting 6th (4th out of guys running the full-tour). Tough weeks for Danny Lasoski, Tim Kaeding, Lucas Wolfe, Fred Rahmer, Doug Esh, and Craig Dollansky as they sit further back in points and/or didn't have the success they were looking for. Next blog - who knows when as the Outlaws are off for a couple weeks, but I'll try to write about something some time during the week if any news comes up!
Race Rundown:
1) 15-Donny Schatz[4] [$10,000]
2) 1-Stevie Smith[7] [$5,500]
3) 8K-Chad Kemenah[3] [$3,200]
4) 25-Daryn Pittman[11] [$2,800]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[10] [$2,500]
6) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$2,300]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[5] [$2,200]
8) 14-Jason Meyers[17] [$2,100]
9) 3C-Cale Conley[1] [$2,050]
10) 19-Craig Dollansky[14] [$2,000]
11) 55M-Kerry Madsen[25] [$700]
12) 9-Joey Saldana[21] [$1,200]
13) 51-Fred Rahmer[2] [$1,100]
14) 7S-Jason Sides[16] [$1,050]
15) 89-Cody Darrah[12] [$1,000]
16) 10-Sammy Swindell[13] [$900]
17) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[24] [$800]
18) 22H-Greg Hodnett[23] [$800]
19) 30C-Lance Dewease[18] [$800]
20) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[20] [$800]
21) 55-Chad Layton[19] [$800]
22) 7M-Mark Smith[15] [$800]
23) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[22] [$800]
24) 11E-Mike Erdley[9] [$800]
25) R19-Jac Haudenschild[26] [$0]
26) 6-Danny Lasoski[6] [$800]
27)DNS 96 Bronson Maeschen [$180]
Note: Jac Haudenschild and Kerry Madsen used World of Outlaws Provisionals to start the A-Feature, while Tim Kaeding started the race as the alternate, when Bronson Maeschen’s car would not fire.
Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30
Kerry Madsen went 25th to 11th in the first 6 laps, but unfortunately didn't do much after that. Steve Kinser was scheduled to start 10th, but elected to start at the back as he was having major engine problems after the heats. I'm guessing he was thinking the car wouldn't take off and he would just pull in with his points and starting money, but that wasn't the case as he was blistering fast coming from the rear! He was coming in a hurry and finished up in the 5th position to save some major points early in the season. It would have been great to see where he would have finished had he started in his slotted spot.
Its looking like Schatz might exceed my expectations of 21 WoO wins as he all ready won 4 of the 6 races he's signed in for (2 with the All-Stars). Schatz's picture is going to be at the top as the banner a lot this season with all this winning going on. Its going to take something drastic for him not to win the championship, but its looking like his competition by The King as he's sitting in 2nd 21 points (can be found to the right) behind after Volusia. Stevie Smith was named the driver of the week for the event as he was the most consistent out of all the competitors not named Schatz. That team has some decisions to make on whether or not to pursue the All-Star title with their massive point lead with that series. Daryn Pittman was a sneaky quick all week long as well, good to see him fast in that #25. The same can be said for Kraig Kinser in the TSR #20. The only news you hear about him is how slow he has been, but he had a very solid week and is sitting 6th (4th out of guys running the full-tour). Tough weeks for Danny Lasoski, Tim Kaeding, Lucas Wolfe, Fred Rahmer, Doug Esh, and Craig Dollansky as they sit further back in points and/or didn't have the success they were looking for. Next blog - who knows when as the Outlaws are off for a couple weeks, but I'll try to write about something some time during the week if any news comes up!
Race Rundown:
1) 15-Donny Schatz[4] [$10,000]
2) 1-Stevie Smith[7] [$5,500]
3) 8K-Chad Kemenah[3] [$3,200]
4) 25-Daryn Pittman[11] [$2,800]
5) 11-Steve Kinser[10] [$2,500]
6) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$2,300]
7) 24-Terry McCarl[5] [$2,200]
8) 14-Jason Meyers[17] [$2,100]
9) 3C-Cale Conley[1] [$2,050]
10) 19-Craig Dollansky[14] [$2,000]
11) 55M-Kerry Madsen[25] [$700]
12) 9-Joey Saldana[21] [$1,200]
13) 51-Fred Rahmer[2] [$1,100]
14) 7S-Jason Sides[16] [$1,050]
15) 89-Cody Darrah[12] [$1,000]
16) 10-Sammy Swindell[13] [$900]
17) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[24] [$800]
18) 22H-Greg Hodnett[23] [$800]
19) 30C-Lance Dewease[18] [$800]
20) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[20] [$800]
21) 55-Chad Layton[19] [$800]
22) 7M-Mark Smith[15] [$800]
23) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[22] [$800]
24) 11E-Mike Erdley[9] [$800]
25) R19-Jac Haudenschild[26] [$0]
26) 6-Danny Lasoski[6] [$800]
27)DNS 96 Bronson Maeschen [$180]
Note: Jac Haudenschild and Kerry Madsen used World of Outlaws Provisionals to start the A-Feature, while Tim Kaeding started the race as the alternate, when Bronson Maeschen’s car would not fire.
Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30
Sunday, February 8, 2009
WoO Night 2 2/7
The 2nd night of the WoO season probably has all ready produced the best race of their season. There were three different leaders between Joey Saldana, Cody Darrah, and Jason Sides that produced 7 different lead changes over the course of the 30 lap event. Saldana shot out to the early lead from his pole position starting spot, but Darrah was able to run him down on lap 3 to take over his first career WoO lead. He continued to lead until lap 18 when Saldana took back the point. A couple laps after that, Darrah would come to a stop with engine woes, ending his best ever run with the Outlaws. At this time it was Sides who was up to 2nd from his 8th starting position. He would take over the lead for good on lap 23 after a quick battle with Saldana and it looked like he was off to victory lane until a late caution bunched the field back together. Saldana would pass him coming to the checker flags off of turn 4 to win the race by the slight margin of .138 seconds! Its great to see Sides off to such a great start with the consecutive 2nd place finishes to start the year, but it would have been great to see the ponytail smiling in victory lane! The points tightened up (look to the right sidebar) with Schat'z 8th place finish; Schatz and Sides are now tied atop of the points after the 2nd night. Greg Hodnett has been impressive these 2 nights as well by finishing 3rd and 4th; good to see that team running fast as they have been slow the last couple years. There will be more to come following Sunday's finale at Volusia.
The Rundown (Courtesy of WoO website):
1) 9-Joey Saldana[1] [$10,000]
2) 7S-Jason Sides[8] [$5,500]
3) R19-Jac Haudenschild[4] [$3,200]
4) 22H-Greg Hodnett[7] [$2,800]
5) 1-Stevie Smith[5] [$2,500]
6) 11-Steve Kinser[12] [$2,300]
7) 25-Daryn Pittman[6] [$2,200]
8) 15-Donny Schatz[11] [$2,100]
9) 10-Sammy Swindell[10] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[18] [$2,000]
11) 20-Kraig Kinser[14] [$1,500]
12) 55-Chad Layton[3] [$1,200]
13) 6-Danny Lasoski[23] [$1,100]
14) 8K-Chad Kemenah[17] [$1,050]
15) 19-Craig Dollansky[13] [$1,000]
16) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[15] [$900]
17) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[24] [$800]
18) 7M-Mark Smith[9] [$800]
19) 55M-Kerry Madsen[21] [$800]
20) 24-Terry McCarl[16] [$800]
21) 3C-Cale Conley[19] [$800]
22) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[22] [$800]
23) 11E-Mike Erdley[20] [$800]
24) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[25] [$0]
25) 89-Cody Darrah[2] [$800]
Note: Sam Hafertepe Jr. used a World of Outlaws Provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap leaders: Joey Saldana 1-2, 18-20, 22, 30; Cody Darrah 3-17; Jason Sides 21, 23-29
The Rundown (Courtesy of WoO website):
1) 9-Joey Saldana[1] [$10,000]
2) 7S-Jason Sides[8] [$5,500]
3) R19-Jac Haudenschild[4] [$3,200]
4) 22H-Greg Hodnett[7] [$2,800]
5) 1-Stevie Smith[5] [$2,500]
6) 11-Steve Kinser[12] [$2,300]
7) 25-Daryn Pittman[6] [$2,200]
8) 15-Donny Schatz[11] [$2,100]
9) 10-Sammy Swindell[10] [$2,050]
10) 14-Jason Meyers[18] [$2,000]
11) 20-Kraig Kinser[14] [$1,500]
12) 55-Chad Layton[3] [$1,200]
13) 6-Danny Lasoski[23] [$1,100]
14) 8K-Chad Kemenah[17] [$1,050]
15) 19-Craig Dollansky[13] [$1,000]
16) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[15] [$900]
17) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[24] [$800]
18) 7M-Mark Smith[9] [$800]
19) 55M-Kerry Madsen[21] [$800]
20) 24-Terry McCarl[16] [$800]
21) 3C-Cale Conley[19] [$800]
22) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[22] [$800]
23) 11E-Mike Erdley[20] [$800]
24) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[25] [$0]
25) 89-Cody Darrah[2] [$800]
Note: Sam Hafertepe Jr. used a World of Outlaws Provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap leaders: Joey Saldana 1-2, 18-20, 22, 30; Cody Darrah 3-17; Jason Sides 21, 23-29
Saturday, February 7, 2009
WoO Night 1 - 2/6
Just looking at the starting positions, one would think that this was a snoozer as Donny Schatz won from the pole, but it was hardly the case as he had to earn it. Jason Sides started outside front row and gave Schatz a slider into turn 3 on the opening lap to take the lead on the nonstop 30 lapper. Schatz was able to run him down on lap 11 and took the lead for good as he went on to win the WoO opener. The track was mostly a one-laner on the high side, leaving it open for slidejob-city, as there were a few of those. The race would have been that much better had there been a bottom, but atleast it wasn't rubber-downed and it went nonstop giving the fans lap traffic.
The Rundown (Courtesy of WoO website):
1) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$10,000]
2) 7S-Jason Sides[2] [$5,500]
3) 22H-Greg Hodnett[4] [$3,200]
4) 20-Kraig Kinser[3] [$2,800]
5) 10-Sammy Swindell[6] [$2,500]
6) 11-Steve Kinser[12] [$2,300]
7) 89-Cody Darrah[11] [$2,200]
8) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$2,100]
9) R19-Jac Haudenschild[5] [$2,050]
10) 24-Terry McCarl[9] [$2,000]
11) 25-Daryn Pittman[8] [$1,500]
12) 55M-Kerry Madsen[21] [$1,200]
13) 9-Joey Saldana[19] [$1,100]
14) 19-Craig Dollansky[14] [$1,050]
15) 1-Stevie Smith[13] [$1,000]
16) 96-Bronson Maeschen[10] [$900]
17) 8K-Chad Kemenah[24] [$800]
18) 55-Chad Layton[16] [$800]
19) 6-Danny Lasoski[15] [$800]
20) 7M-Mark Smith[23] [$800]
21) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[20] [$800]
22) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[22] [$800]
23) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[25] [$0]
24) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[17] [$800]
25) 30C-Lance Dewease[18] [$800]
Note: Tony Bruce Jr. used a World of Outlaws Provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-10, Donny Schatz 11-30
The Rundown (Courtesy of WoO website):
1) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$10,000]
2) 7S-Jason Sides[2] [$5,500]
3) 22H-Greg Hodnett[4] [$3,200]
4) 20-Kraig Kinser[3] [$2,800]
5) 10-Sammy Swindell[6] [$2,500]
6) 11-Steve Kinser[12] [$2,300]
7) 89-Cody Darrah[11] [$2,200]
8) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$2,100]
9) R19-Jac Haudenschild[5] [$2,050]
10) 24-Terry McCarl[9] [$2,000]
11) 25-Daryn Pittman[8] [$1,500]
12) 55M-Kerry Madsen[21] [$1,200]
13) 9-Joey Saldana[19] [$1,100]
14) 19-Craig Dollansky[14] [$1,050]
15) 1-Stevie Smith[13] [$1,000]
16) 96-Bronson Maeschen[10] [$900]
17) 8K-Chad Kemenah[24] [$800]
18) 55-Chad Layton[16] [$800]
19) 6-Danny Lasoski[15] [$800]
20) 7M-Mark Smith[23] [$800]
21) 83JR-Tim Kaeding[20] [$800]
22) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[22] [$800]
23) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[25] [$0]
24) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[17] [$800]
25) 30C-Lance Dewease[18] [$800]
Note: Tony Bruce Jr. used a World of Outlaws Provisional to start the A-Feature.
Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-10, Donny Schatz 11-30
Friday, February 6, 2009
2009 WoO Predictions
The day has finally come to make some predictions for the WoO season as their racing season kicks off tonight following three nights of racing at Volusia.
I really think Donny Schatz is going to have a banner year this year, even for himself. I think he's going to win 20+ times on tour this year, even though this is the most 'heavy hitter-oriented' tour that I can think of. He is really going to frustrate the competition because they are spending a shitload of money as well, but he's gonna continue to beat them to the finish line on a nightly basis. I could be wrong, and we could see him DNF more times this year then in year's past that could cause a point battle, but I don't see it happening one bit. He's going to repeat at Knoxville (as much as I want to see a new winner), and he's gonna go out and win most of the big paying races just like he did in 2007.
The real points battle for the year is going to be for 2nd place between Jason Meyers, Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana, Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Jac Haudenschild, and Sammy Swindell (if he stays on tour). This is the real battle and its going to result in a driver(s) losing their ride after this year because they could finish as low as 8th in points possibly! Anyways, the start of the year always provides optimism and a sense that anything can happen, but everything usually comes screeching back to reality about a month into the season. Can't wait to see how it plays out!
Point Standing Predictions (Wins in Parenthesis)
1. Donny Schatz (21)
2. Craig Dollansky (7)
3. Steve Kinser (7)
4. Joey Saldana (5)
5. Jason Meyers (6)
6. Danny Lasoski (6)
7. Sammy Swindell (if he runs full tour) (6)
8. Jac Haudenschild (3)
9. Tim Kaeding (if he runs full tour) (2)
10. Kerry Madsen (1)
11. Kraig Kinser (2)
12. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (0)
13. Chad Kemenah (0)
14. Jason Sides (1)
15. Lucas Wolfe (1)
16. Tony Bruce, Jr. (if he runs full tour) (0)
17. Brian Ellenberger (0)
18. Terry McCarl (partial tour) (2)
19. Brooke Tatnell (partial tour) (1)
20. Wayne Johnson (0)
I really think Donny Schatz is going to have a banner year this year, even for himself. I think he's going to win 20+ times on tour this year, even though this is the most 'heavy hitter-oriented' tour that I can think of. He is really going to frustrate the competition because they are spending a shitload of money as well, but he's gonna continue to beat them to the finish line on a nightly basis. I could be wrong, and we could see him DNF more times this year then in year's past that could cause a point battle, but I don't see it happening one bit. He's going to repeat at Knoxville (as much as I want to see a new winner), and he's gonna go out and win most of the big paying races just like he did in 2007.
The real points battle for the year is going to be for 2nd place between Jason Meyers, Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana, Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Jac Haudenschild, and Sammy Swindell (if he stays on tour). This is the real battle and its going to result in a driver(s) losing their ride after this year because they could finish as low as 8th in points possibly! Anyways, the start of the year always provides optimism and a sense that anything can happen, but everything usually comes screeching back to reality about a month into the season. Can't wait to see how it plays out!
Point Standing Predictions (Wins in Parenthesis)
1. Donny Schatz (21)
2. Craig Dollansky (7)
3. Steve Kinser (7)
4. Joey Saldana (5)
5. Jason Meyers (6)
6. Danny Lasoski (6)
7. Sammy Swindell (if he runs full tour) (6)
8. Jac Haudenschild (3)
9. Tim Kaeding (if he runs full tour) (2)
10. Kerry Madsen (1)
11. Kraig Kinser (2)
12. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (0)
13. Chad Kemenah (0)
14. Jason Sides (1)
15. Lucas Wolfe (1)
16. Tony Bruce, Jr. (if he runs full tour) (0)
17. Brian Ellenberger (0)
18. Terry McCarl (partial tour) (2)
19. Brooke Tatnell (partial tour) (1)
20. Wayne Johnson (0)
Night 3 from Volusia- 2/5
Just got to see the last laps after the last restart and wow.. what a friggin race! Stevie Smith and Dollansky kept passing each other coming out of the corners until Dollansky finally took the point on the high side. It looked like he was gone to the checkers with about a 20 car-length lead, but Smith really came charging hard on the bottom in the last 2 laps. The track was beautiful with a place to hug the inside wall, while the gassers were up top on the berm hugging the outside wall! Meanwhile, Smith really came on strong with 2 to go, and made the winning pass coming off the bottom of turn 2 on the final lap. He went high to block Dollansky's line into 3 and 4 and held on for the $7,000 victory!
Smith has been Mr. Consistent so far down in Florida with his worse finish coming on the rubber-down track last night, and that was still a 6th place finish! He keeps hammering down great time trial laps and that is the key to the night as we all know! Great to see the Black Bandit getting these great finishes in the Zemco #1 as he hasn't been this fast since he was on tour at the turn of the century. Even though he won in a Posse car, its still great to see him dominating yet again. Should be interesting to see if he can get another one under the WoO banner before the week is over. FYI Schatz DNF'd in the B Feature after starting on the pole for it, and after finishing 1 spot short of the transfer in the heat.
The Rundown:
1. Stevie Smith (1)
2. Craig Dollansky (4)
3. Joey Saldana (5)
4. Jason Meyers (8)
5. Steve Kinser (7)
6. Daryn Pittman (11)
7. Greg Hodnett (9)
8. Cody Darrah (12)
9. Chad Kemenah (22)
10. Jac Haudenschild (17)
11. Randy Hannagan (23)
12. Danny Lasoski (6)
13. Kraig Kinser (3)
14. Wayne Johnson (14)
15. Tim Shaffer (16)
16. Sammy Swindell (19)
17. Lucas Wolfe (21)
18. Bronson Maeschen (10)
19. Mark Smith (15)
20. Greg Wilson (18)
21. Brian Ellenberger (20)
22. Tim Kaeding (24)
23. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (2)
24. Mike Erdley (13)
I'll post my predictions for the WoO season some time tomorrow! Thanks for checking in...
Smith has been Mr. Consistent so far down in Florida with his worse finish coming on the rubber-down track last night, and that was still a 6th place finish! He keeps hammering down great time trial laps and that is the key to the night as we all know! Great to see the Black Bandit getting these great finishes in the Zemco #1 as he hasn't been this fast since he was on tour at the turn of the century. Even though he won in a Posse car, its still great to see him dominating yet again. Should be interesting to see if he can get another one under the WoO banner before the week is over. FYI Schatz DNF'd in the B Feature after starting on the pole for it, and after finishing 1 spot short of the transfer in the heat.
The Rundown:
1. Stevie Smith (1)
2. Craig Dollansky (4)
3. Joey Saldana (5)
4. Jason Meyers (8)
5. Steve Kinser (7)
6. Daryn Pittman (11)
7. Greg Hodnett (9)
8. Cody Darrah (12)
9. Chad Kemenah (22)
10. Jac Haudenschild (17)
11. Randy Hannagan (23)
12. Danny Lasoski (6)
13. Kraig Kinser (3)
14. Wayne Johnson (14)
15. Tim Shaffer (16)
16. Sammy Swindell (19)
17. Lucas Wolfe (21)
18. Bronson Maeschen (10)
19. Mark Smith (15)
20. Greg Wilson (18)
21. Brian Ellenberger (20)
22. Tim Kaeding (24)
23. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (2)
24. Mike Erdley (13)
I'll post my predictions for the WoO season some time tomorrow! Thanks for checking in...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Volusia Night 2 2/4
After an amazingly fast and wide track the night before, of course the track turns to crap and was rubber-down huggy-pole conditions. Damn near everyone started where they finished and Schatz had the luck of the draw to start on the pole. He went on to lead all 30 laps to win for the 2nd night in a row but without the dramatics of the night before. It sounded like Saldana had taken the lead at one point, but the caution came out to save Schatz and he took it home from there.
Top 10 looked like: Schatz, Saldana, Sides, Pittman, S. Kinser, S. Smith, Kaeding, Layton, Meyers, and Lasoski.
Hopefully the track and weather conditions improve for tonight, but it looks like Schatz will be the man to beat until he gets beaten.
Top 10 looked like: Schatz, Saldana, Sides, Pittman, S. Kinser, S. Smith, Kaeding, Layton, Meyers, and Lasoski.
Hopefully the track and weather conditions improve for tonight, but it looks like Schatz will be the man to beat until he gets beaten.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Volusia Night 1 Goes to Schatz but...
.. He had to earn this one! He got caught up in a lap 1 mishap and had to make repairs to start at the back of the field. He slowly was making his way forward as a battle upfront between Sammy and Stevie Smith ensued for the lead. About halfway through he had made his way up to 6th with no cautions! He kept using the bottom and kept making his way foward and finally took the lead with like 5 laps to go and cruised to the win! Total insanity that he drove the TSR #15 from last to first with NO cautions in 25 laps! I had complete goosebumps listening to the broadcast.. that was a driving exhibition and I'm jealous I didn't witness it in person!
Donny Schatz had this to say to the rest of the WoO field for 2009 following the race, "Hope you boys enjoy fighting for 2nd place in the standings for the 4th year in a row!" Well, he didn't actually say that, but I'll say it for him!
It was a hell of a race upfront going on even before Schatz came charging foward. Dewease ended up leading a little bit before Sammy went flying by him which was followed by S. Smith in the Zemco #1 going by him at about the halfway point. Big battles between Lasoski, Saldana, Darrah, and Dewease for top 5 positions going on as well... but that was just the subplot to the real show coming through the field!
The rundown:
1. Schatz (16)
2. S. Smith (5)
3. Sammy (4)
4. Lasoski (2)
5. Saldana (6)
6. W. Johnson (3)
7. Darrah (9)
8. Dewease (1)
9. S. Kinser (10)
10. Dollansky (18)
11. Pittman (13)
12. K. Kinser (12)
13. Blaney (15)
14. Meyers (24)
15. Hodnett (22)
16. Shaffer (17)
17. D. Smith (23)
18. Kemenah (7)
19. Rahmer (8)
20. Hannagan (20)
21. M. Smith (19)
22. Haudenschild (21)
23. Esh (14)
24. Conley (11)
Sorry about the lack of predictions today, but it was a busy day for me, hopefully get something posted before the races start on Wednesday night. My, oh my, what a night!
Donny Schatz had this to say to the rest of the WoO field for 2009 following the race, "Hope you boys enjoy fighting for 2nd place in the standings for the 4th year in a row!" Well, he didn't actually say that, but I'll say it for him!
It was a hell of a race upfront going on even before Schatz came charging foward. Dewease ended up leading a little bit before Sammy went flying by him which was followed by S. Smith in the Zemco #1 going by him at about the halfway point. Big battles between Lasoski, Saldana, Darrah, and Dewease for top 5 positions going on as well... but that was just the subplot to the real show coming through the field!
The rundown:
1. Schatz (16)
2. S. Smith (5)
3. Sammy (4)
4. Lasoski (2)
5. Saldana (6)
6. W. Johnson (3)
7. Darrah (9)
8. Dewease (1)
9. S. Kinser (10)
10. Dollansky (18)
11. Pittman (13)
12. K. Kinser (12)
13. Blaney (15)
14. Meyers (24)
15. Hodnett (22)
16. Shaffer (17)
17. D. Smith (23)
18. Kemenah (7)
19. Rahmer (8)
20. Hannagan (20)
21. M. Smith (19)
22. Haudenschild (21)
23. Esh (14)
24. Conley (11)
Sorry about the lack of predictions today, but it was a busy day for me, hopefully get something posted before the races start on Wednesday night. My, oh my, what a night!
Monday, February 2, 2009
All Stars at Ocala
So its taking awhile to put up a quick blog about the results of the last weekend at Ocala as the bottle and bars were hit pretty hard this last weekend and the liver needed some time to recover.
Anyways, Tim Shaffer took the CH Motorsports #83 into victory lane on Friday after Thursday's rain out. Sounded like The Dude was going to challenge up front until the engine let go on the #33. After looking through the numbers, there wasn't much passing going on either. Congrats to the "Steel City Posse" member on the win, and he's my favorite to win the All-Star title as long as Guy Webb don't screw him over this year.
Friday night, it was the black and orange #24 finding victory lane after setting a legit qualifying time. McCarl led the entire race and won pretty handidly, as The Dude came home 2nd after making a late charge and was followed by Stevie Smith in the Zemco #1 for his 2nd straight 3rd place run at Ocala. T-Mac is still waiting to pass those kidney stones that detoured him to a LA hospital earlier in the week and makes the win that much more impressive. I watched the video on the website doing the live updates and it looked like a crappy track, but there were definitely 2 lanes to be run and it was all about throttle control and getting through lapped traffic.
This was McCarl's first win on the year, and will be the first of many, many to come with his 'true outlaw' schedule in 2009. It would be great to see him pick up at least one more win in Florida and pick up a couple more while followin the Outlaws out to Cali. I'm predicting a good 15+ wins on the year for the Big Game Treestand team.
I'll be doing an in-depth preview of Volusia's 6 nights of racing sometime on Tuesday, so continue to check on back for predictions and results!
Anyways, Tim Shaffer took the CH Motorsports #83 into victory lane on Friday after Thursday's rain out. Sounded like The Dude was going to challenge up front until the engine let go on the #33. After looking through the numbers, there wasn't much passing going on either. Congrats to the "Steel City Posse" member on the win, and he's my favorite to win the All-Star title as long as Guy Webb don't screw him over this year.
Friday night, it was the black and orange #24 finding victory lane after setting a legit qualifying time. McCarl led the entire race and won pretty handidly, as The Dude came home 2nd after making a late charge and was followed by Stevie Smith in the Zemco #1 for his 2nd straight 3rd place run at Ocala. T-Mac is still waiting to pass those kidney stones that detoured him to a LA hospital earlier in the week and makes the win that much more impressive. I watched the video on the website doing the live updates and it looked like a crappy track, but there were definitely 2 lanes to be run and it was all about throttle control and getting through lapped traffic.
This was McCarl's first win on the year, and will be the first of many, many to come with his 'true outlaw' schedule in 2009. It would be great to see him pick up at least one more win in Florida and pick up a couple more while followin the Outlaws out to Cali. I'm predicting a good 15+ wins on the year for the Big Game Treestand team.
I'll be doing an in-depth preview of Volusia's 6 nights of racing sometime on Tuesday, so continue to check on back for predictions and results!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sammy's back on tour
Well, I awaken this morning to a text saying that Sammy's back out on tour, and I didn't believe it until I seen it on the WoO site. It will be great to see Sammy out there for one last hoorah, but I don't see him contending for the title at all. A good year for him will probably to finish in the top 5 in points. I'm even having doubts of the Rolfe #10 making it the whole year, especially after the theft at the shop a month ago.
But with that being said, the tour is full of heavy hitters, and has gotten rid of most of the field fillers who had no shot in hell of winning (ie Justin Henderson). There are 8 guys now on tour that can go out and win 5+ times this year! It is just stacked at the top, and whoever wins on a given night will definitely have earned it!
I'll get into it even more in-depth about the WoO season right before the season opener next Friday night with predictions on the year. Spread the word if you like this, there will be plenty of more to come.
But with that being said, the tour is full of heavy hitters, and has gotten rid of most of the field fillers who had no shot in hell of winning (ie Justin Henderson). There are 8 guys now on tour that can go out and win 5+ times this year! It is just stacked at the top, and whoever wins on a given night will definitely have earned it!
I'll get into it even more in-depth about the WoO season right before the season opener next Friday night with predictions on the year. Spread the word if you like this, there will be plenty of more to come.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Day 2
So continuing to dick around with all of the settings and gadgets that can be added and it is pretty addicing I may say.
Anyways, should be pretty interesting to see who shows up this weekend for the 3 day All-Star show at Ocala. The King is rumored to be showing, as well as a ton of other big named guys from WoO and PA. T-Mac and Wayne are flying in from Australia as well (hopefully no deer killed this time around). Should be a good show for the lucky fucks that get down to Florida for early racing.
But most everyone will be competing at Volusia in at least one of the three All Star shows there, if not all 3 nights as well. I'll break that down some more when it gets closer. Thanks for stopping by to read a quick blog, I hope to do this daily, so continue to stop on in and spread the word of the new blog!
Anyways, should be pretty interesting to see who shows up this weekend for the 3 day All-Star show at Ocala. The King is rumored to be showing, as well as a ton of other big named guys from WoO and PA. T-Mac and Wayne are flying in from Australia as well (hopefully no deer killed this time around). Should be a good show for the lucky fucks that get down to Florida for early racing.
But most everyone will be competing at Volusia in at least one of the three All Star shows there, if not all 3 nights as well. I'll break that down some more when it gets closer. Thanks for stopping by to read a quick blog, I hope to do this daily, so continue to stop on in and spread the word of the new blog!
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Blog
I was really bored today, and seen that one of my buddies just started his own blog, so I figured I would do the same. I hope to talk about a lot of topics, regarding anything from movies to sports to the racing season. Mainly on racing, especially when the season gets here.
A little about me- I'm still in school down at USD in Vermillion double majoring in Elementary & Special Education. I got a couple years left, but I'm slowly getting closer to the goal of graduation.
Anyways, its time to mess around with all the settings some more, so hopefully I'll get that figured out soon enough to drop in with a 2nd blog.
A little about me- I'm still in school down at USD in Vermillion double majoring in Elementary & Special Education. I got a couple years left, but I'm slowly getting closer to the goal of graduation.
Anyways, its time to mess around with all the settings some more, so hopefully I'll get that figured out soon enough to drop in with a 2nd blog.
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