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 ROSSBURG,
OH (July 19-20) -- The Hoosier brand flexed its muscle over the
weekend as the Pennzoil World of Outlaws contested the 19th annual
Kings Royal event at Eldora Speedway. After two nights of racing were
completed, Joey Saldana captured his first career Kings Royal crown
and even more impressive, Team-Hoosier finished first in every race
contested and posted fast time during both nights of competition.
Daryn Pittman won the 30-lap feature on Friday night, while Joey
Saldana won the 40-lap Kings Royal on Saturday as the first 17 drivers
to cross the stripe were riding on Hoosier tires.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE KINGS ROYAL
ROSSBURG, OH (July 19) -- Forty-one cars were entered in
qualifying with 35 of them opting to race on Hoosier tires. Craig
Dollansky set fast time around the famous Eldora 1/2-mile with a time
of 13.176 seconds.
In the four 8-lap heat races, Paul McMahan, Shane
Stewart, Sammy Swindell and Randy Hannagan were each winners.
Shane Stewart and Daryn Pittman each won their
respective dash race placing them on the front row for the 30-lap
feature.
In the 30-lap feature in which 20 of the 24 race
starters rode on Hoosier tires, Daryn Pittman took over the race lead
from Shane Stewart on lap 17 and led the remainder of the way to
capture the win. Pittman used a pair of Hoosier D12's en route to the
$10,000 win.
Amazingly, 16 of the first 17 drivers to cross the
finish line used the Hoosier brand. Finishing third through
seventeenth were: Joey Saldana, Craig Dollansky, Sammy Swindell, Greg
Hodnett, Donny Schatz, Paul McMahan, Chad Kemenah, Tim Shaffer, Brad
Furr, Phil Gressman, Mark Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Randy Hannagan, Jeff
Shepard and Shane Stewart.
THE KINGS ROYAL
ROSSBURG, OH (July 20) -- On the final night of competition, 37
sprint cars posted times in qualifying--32 of them on Hoosiers. Joey
Saldana set fast time with a lap of 13.043 seconds followed by Greg
Hodnett at 13.146 seconds.
In heat race action, Brad Furr, Kenny Jacobs, Donny
Schatz and Sammy Swindell each won their respective 8-lap heat race.
Kasey Kahne and Danny Lasoski extended Team-Hoosier's
perfect weekend when they each captured the checkered flag in their
respective dash race.
With 22 of the 25 race starters riding on the Hoosier
brand in the 40-lap feature, Danny Lasoski took the early race lead on
a pair of Hoosier D12's. Lasoski led until lap 20, when ninth starting
Joey Saldana took over the race lead. Saldana took advantage of a
smooth track surface just inches from the Eldora wall during his
charge to the front. Saldana even touched the retaining wall once, but
the quiet spectacled driver would not be denied the $50,000 win and
led until the checkered flag dropped after 40 circuits.
Finishing in second place was Danny Lasoski who
collected $12,000 for his runner-up finish. Craig Dollansky finished
third and rounded out the 39th podium sweep of the season for
Team-Hoosier. The top three finishers all used the same compound
combination--a pair of D12's.
Hoosier-shod drivers were rewarded handsomely as they
captured the first 17 finishing positions. Finishing fourth through
seventeenth were: Donny Schatz, Kasey Kahne, Daryn Pittman, Steve
Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Chad Kemenah, Tim Shaffer, P.J. Chesson, Randy
Hannagan, Kraig Kinser, Brad Furr, Jeff Swindell, Danny Wood and Shane
Stewart.
Hoosier Open Wheel Dirt Product Manager Neil Cowman
was in Ohio to observe both nights of racing commented, "It was a
great weekend for the Hoosier brand." Cowman continued,
"Team Hoosier has really been on a roll this season, not only in
the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series where we are now have a
phenomenal 52-4 record, but we are heading to Pennsylvania where we
have been even better, compiling a flawless 57-0 record."
Danny Lasoski regained the series point lead with 6401
points over Steve Kinser who now has 6390 points. Craig Dollansky,
Joey Saldana, Mark Kinser, Donny Schatz and Tim Shaffer round out the
top seven in the standings. All seven drivers compete on Hoosier
tires.
The series resumes racing Tuesday, July 23rd, at
Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA for a one-night show before moving
onto Williams Grove for three nights of action starting on Thursday
night..
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