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 MECHANICSBURG,
PA (October 1-2) -- Local drivers known as the Pennsylvania Posse and
World of Outlaws Series regulars each claimed a win over the weekend
with Mark Smith and Donny Schatz ending the night in the winner's
circle at Williams Grove Speedway. Smith won the 25-lap preliminary
race on Friday, while Schatz took the lead from Smith on lap four of
the 40-lap A-main race en route to the win on Saturday. Smith's
victory was worth $5,000, while Schatz collected a hefty $30,000
payout for capturing the win in the finale. The two victories for Team
Hoosier brings their season-long win total to 80 wins in 81 races in
the World of Outlaws Series (including the three non-points races in
Australia to start the 2004 season). The series is now down to its
final 10 races of the season with a one-night program this Friday next
on the schedule at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN.
FRIDAY'S PRELIMINARY
MECHANICSBURG, PA (October 1) -- A huge field of 49 sprint cars jammed
the pits of Williams Grove Speedway Friday night for the opener on the
famous 1/2-mile speed plant. Joining the Outlaws regulars were the
talented local drivers known as the Pennsylvania Posse. Of the 49 cars
on hand, fully 47 opted to run on Hoosier tires.
Posse driver Todd Hestor set fast time among the group
with a lap of 16.432 seconds using a Hoosier RD12. Sammy Swindell was
second (16.544) followed by Greg Hodnett, Steve Kinser and Don Kreitz,
Jr. as the local drivers claimed six of the top ten times. The Hoosier
tire brand was used by the 34 fastest cars in qualifying.
The World of Outlaws regulars got their revenge in the
heat races when Danny Lasoski, Jason Meyers, Paul McMahan and Craig
Dollansky each won their respective heats. In Dash competition, Mark
Smith won the first race with Donny Schatz claiming the final Dash to
even the score between the Outlaws and the Posse.
In the 25-lap feature race, all 24 starters rode on Tires
Designed for Champions made by Hoosier Racing Tire. When the green
flag dropped, Fred Rahmer rocketed from fourth to first before the
first lap was complete. Rahmer, using a 96" RD12/RD15 (LR/RR)
combination, maintained the lead until pole sitter Mark Smith moved
into the lead on lap 11. Smith, using a 94" RD15/RD15 set-up, led
the remainder of the distance to claim the opening night win. Smith
earned $5,000 for the top finish.
Following Smith to the line was Fred Rahmer in second
place. Donny Schatz finished in third (94" RD12/D12) followed by
Steve Kinser (94" D12/RD15) and Greg Hodnett (96" RD15/RD15)
as the Posse claimed three of the top five spots in the night's
feature race. Rounding out the top ten was Danny Lasoski in sixth
followed by Lance Dewease, Sammy Swindell, Jason Meyers and Don
Kreitz, Jr. as the Outlaws and Posse members each had five drivers
among the top ten finishers.
SATURDAY'S FINALE
MECHANICSBURG, PA (October 2) -- With the top four (Hoosier-shod)
finishers from Friday locked into the Dash, that left 43 cars in qualifying
for Saturday's 40-lap finale. With less than half the field completing
their qualifying laps, rain showers began to fall and the event suspended
some three hours before the track could be properly prepared for
racing again. Racing resumed at approximately 11:30 pm with qualifying
starting all over.
For the second night in a row, Posse driver Todd
Hestor claimed fast qualifier honors with a lap of 16.740 seconds.
Hestor was followed by Danny Lasoski, Kraig Kinser, 17-year-old Lucas
Wolfe and Don Kreitz, Jr. as members of Team Hoosier claimed the 36
fastest times in qualifying.
After not winning a heat race on Friday, Posse drivers
claimed three of the four heat races with Keith Kauffman, Greg Hodnett
and Kenny Jacobs winning the first three heats, while Joey Saldana
captured the final heat for the Outlaws regulars.
The night's only Dash race was up for grabs with half
the entrants members of the Posse and the remainder Outlaws regulars.
When the 5-lap race was over, Mark Smith was the winner followed by
Steve Kinser, Fred Rahmer, Donny Schatz, Danny Lasoski, Kraig Kinser,
Todd Hestor and young Lucas Wolfe.
Although now well into the wee hours of Sunday
morning, it was finally time for the 40-lap feature race. With all 24
starters again on Hoosier tires, another Hoosier-shod winner was a
guarantee. The race began with pole sitter Mark Smith taking the early
lead using a pair of RD15's. Smith led for three circuits before
fourth starting Donny Schatz moved into the lead exiting turn two.
Schatz, using a 96" D12/D15 combination, led the remainder of the
race winning by almost a half lap over second place finisher Steve
Kinser. It was Schatz's seventh win in the last 13 races in the
series.
Schatz won $30,000 for the top finish while Steve
Kinser pocketed $12,000 for the runner-up spot. Fred Rahmer claimed
the final podium spot for the Posse winning $7,500. Rahmer opted to
run the 40-lapper using a 96" RD12/RD15. Mark Smith settled for
fourth place and another $5,000 pay check, while Danny Lasoski took
fifth place using a 94" RD12/RD15.
Greg Hodnett finished in sixth place followed by Brian
Paulus, Don Kreitz, Jr., Kraig Kinser and Jeff Shepard in seventh
through tenth, respectively. Overall, the locals more than held their
own in the two-day event against the invading World of Outlaws Series
drivers.
In World of Outlaws races contested in the United
States this season, Team Hoosier has amassed a sparkling 77-1 record
in the series. Last season, Team Hoosier finished the season with a
best ever record of 88-4.
Currently, Steve Kinser remains atop the driver
standings followed by Danny Lasoski (-166), Donny Schatz (451), Craig
Dollansky (-621) and Jason Meyers (-626).
The next event on the World of Outlaws Series schedule
is this Friday, October 8th, at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt,
IN.
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