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 FORT
WORTH, TX (September 12) -- Tim Shaffer moved into sole possession of
fifth place in Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series standings after
capturing the Texas Showdown opener at Texas Motor Speedway. Shaffer
had been tied with two-time series champion Mark Kinser prior to
Thursday's night race. Shaffer took the lead from Craig Dollansky on lap
9, and led the remainder of the way to take the $5,000 win and extend
Team-Hoosier's win streak to 46 races in a row. Hoosier-shod drivers
captured the top five, and nine of the top ten spots, in the 30-lap
feature.
The opening night of the 3rd annual Texas Showdown
attracted 31 entrants for qualifying around Texas Motor Speedway's
4/10-mile clay oval. Of the 31 competitors in qualifying, 25 of them
opted to trust the Hoosier tire brand. Tyler Walker, winner of the
last two Gumout races, posted fast time of the night with his
qualifying lap of 13.023 seconds. Danny Lasoski was second and Joey
Saldana third, as Hoosier-shod cars captured the three fastest times
along with seven of the top eight times in qualifying.
All four heat races were won by cars using Hoosier
tires. Jason Sides, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser, and Daryn Pittman each
won their respective 8-lap heat race.
Both dash races were also won by cars riding on
Hoosiers. Tim Shaffer, after qualifying eighth, won the first dash,
while Craig Dollansky won the second dash. As a result, the two earned
the right to start the feature on the front row.
In the 30-lap feature, Craig Dollansky took the early
race lead from the outside pole using a pair of Hoosier RD12's. But
after eight laps, Tim Shaffer moved into the race lead using a Hoosier
D10/RD12 combination. Shaffer led the next 22 laps to capture the
win--his second preliminary win of the year and third overall. Shaffer
also collected $5,000 for the victory.
Finishing in second place was Brad Furr. The runner-up
driver pocketed $3,000 and used a Hoosier RD12/D12 set-up for his rear
drive tire combination. Craig Dollansky rounded out the top three and
earned $2,500.
All told, Hoosier-shod collected the top five with
Danny Lasoski finishing fourth and Steve Kinser fifth.
Joey Saldana, Danny Wood, Randy Hannagan and Donny
Schatz finished seventh through tenth, respectively, giving
Team-Hoosier claim to nine of the top ten finishing positions in the
30-lap feature.
Shaffer's win extended Team-Hoosier's current win
streak to 46 races in a row in the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series,
while the podium sweep by Hoosier-shod teams was the 58th of the
season in 81 races.
Steve Kinser remains solidly in first place in the
Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series standings as Team-Hoosier claims the
top eight positions in the points chase.
The Outlaws will take Friday night off before
returning to action on Saturday to complete the 3rd annual Texas
Showdown.
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