By Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director
Jason Meyers came close to winning on the first night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park and again on the third night, battling with Donny Schatz in both of those contests. The pair found themselves dueling yet again on Saturday night, and this time Meyers was not about to be outdone, as held off Schatz to earn his first A-Feature win of the 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season.
The $10,000-win marked the first for the team in their brand new self-designed and self-built chassis. Countless hours were spent developing the mount during the off-season and Meyers had been fast all week during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals leading into the second of three events for the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.
“We had a goal to come down here and start off well,” said Meyers, driver of the GLR Investments KPC. “We have been working hard for this all winter. To come out and win on the second night is definitely achieving that goal. Everybody has been working hard. We’re looking forward to a great season.”
The 30-lap event began with Tim Kaeding who started on the pole leading the first seven laps. After a caution, Meyers used a strong restart on the eighth circuit to take the lead from Kaeding on the low side of the second turn. Kaeding fought back on the next lap as two-time defending series champion Donny Schatz also began to close in.
While Meyers led, Schatz continued to shadow him, looking for the right opportunity to take a shot at the lead. That chance came on the13th lap, as he dove low exiting the second turn to take the lead from Meyers. After a couple of laps in traffic, Meyers tracked Schatz back down and made the pass for the lead and ultimately the win on the 16th circuit in turn one. Schatz closed in a couple of time late in the race in traffic, but Meyers worked the lapped cars to perfection in earning his 19th career A-Feature win.
“It wasn’t exciting when he passed me, but it was exciting when I passed him back,” said the native of Clovis, California. “Donny has been great the last couple of years and he will strong again this year and to be up here on the podium with him and Joey Saldana is an honor for us, especially being on the top of the podium.”
Meyers has finished in the Top-Five in four out of five starts this week during the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals. While there is well over 80 races still remaining on the 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule, Meyers has been focused on starting off strong this week to build a solid foundation for the rest of the season.
“It’s important for a lot reasons,” he noted of running well early in the year. “It is important to get off on the right note as far as season points and also for the morale of the team. We don’t race a lot at this time of the year and to go out and win, that makes those weeks go by a lot quicker for everyone. It’s a tough live out here on the road for everybody, and these wins put some money in the bank and smiles on faces and keep everyone working hard at what they are doing.”
Schatz earned his fifth Top-Five of the season in as many starts for Tony Stewart Racing, as was the runner-up on Saturday night. After lining up fourth for the 30-lap event, he powered his way past Craig Dollansky on the first lap, before staging a very entertaining battle with Saldana for the third position. After passing Saldana, it took him just one lap to get around Kaeding, as he set his sights on Meyers.
“We’re probably playing a little bit too much and getting away from home base,” said Schatz, driver of the Chevrolet powered Armor All J&J “We’ll just keep working on this thing and get better for tomorrow. We know a few things we can do to make it better and we’ll do them.”
Joey Saldana started fifth in the second of three nights of action for the World of Outlaws at Volusia Speedway Park, and shadowed Friday night’s winner Craig Dollansky during the early stages of Saturday’s race. He would pass Tim Kaeding to move into third at the halfway point of the race and had several battles with Schatz as the laps wound down and the pair tried to track down Meyers.
“It was a good run for us,” said Saldana, driver of the Mopar powered Budweiser JEI. “We had been struggling since we got here. We had a second-place finish with the All Stars, and then last night (Friday) we had a solid third and slipped back to seventh late. We definitely have to work on our car and tonight we worked on it and got better.”
Meyers, after his win on Saturday night, would like nothing better than to close out the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series portion of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals with another victory on Saturday night, though he is quick to point out that it will be no easy task.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work,” explained Meyers from Alltel Victory Lane. “We beat 25 of the greatest sprint car drivers in the country tonight and they are not going to come back tomorrow and just lay down for us. We’ll have to be even a little better tomorrow night and hopefully go to the front again.”
Schatz began Saturday night by turning the seventh fastest lap in time trials and followed that up with a second-place finish in the third heat to earn a spot in the Crane Cams Dash. For most of the evening, the half-mile was blazing fast, especially in the early going.
“They prepared the track a little different than they did the last couple of days and it did not lay rubber tonight,” explained Schatz. “That’s a good thing. You have to make it to where it is slick and everyone is spinning their tires. It was fast around the top and we have to figure out how we can get around up there and make the car stick a little better.”
While he was pleased with his podium finish, Saldana pondered what may have happened if there would not have been a couple of cautions that bunched the field back up.
“I think with lapped traffic it would have been a different race, but that’s the way it goes,” the native of Brownsburg, Indiana said. “When you are up front it pays off sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t. My hat is off to Jason Meyers, he did a great job tonight.”
Jeff Shepard, who won at Volusia with the World of Outlaws in 2005 continued to show his prowess in the Sunshine State, by earning a fourth-place finish on Saturday aboard the Zemco Speed Equipment Maxim.
Craig Dollansky, who was Friday night’s winner, finished fifth on Friday night in the Auto Value Maxim and leads the championship standings after two events.
Jac Haudenschild came from 14th to finish sixth in the Owens-Corning Fiberglass Maxim, with Kaeding in the Tom Rolfe Trucking Maxim one spot behind him in seventh.
Lance Dewease was eighth in the Advance Development Services J&J, with Daryn Pittman ninth in the Titan Garages Maxim and Chad Kemenah 10th in the Kantor Oil Company Maxim.
The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will wrap up their three-night portion of the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals on Sunday night with another $10,000-to win event. The first 500 fans to enter the gates on Sunday, will receive a complimentary Advance Auto Parts hat.
ALLTEL DIRTCAR NATIONALS NIGHT #2 NOTEBOOK
•PAYING TRIBUTE: As part of the opening ceremonies on Saturday night, at Volusia Speedway Park, Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series drivers, team and officials gathered on the front straightaway for a moment of silence to honor Bobby Jackson. The longtime series Competition Director passed away on January 28.
• FAST QUALIFIER: Cody Darrah paced the 44 cars that took time with an AMB i.t. timed lap around the semi-banked half-mile oval at 13.503 seconds at 133.304 mph. For his qualifying effort, Darrah earned five bonus points. The next four fastest qualifiers also earned bonus points, including: Craig Dollansky (4), Jeff Shepard (3), Kraig Kinser (2), and Sam Hafertepe Jr. (1).
• QUALIFYING WINNERS: Chad Layton, Craig Dollansky, Jason Meyers and Lance Dewease won heat races… Greg Wilson won the C-Main… T.J. Stutts won the B-Main… Tim Kaeding won the Crane Cams Dash.
undefined
undefined
• FEATURE WINNERS: There have been two Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events held in 2008. The winners include Craig Dollansky (Volusia Speedway Park) and Jason Meyers (Volusia Speedway Park).
• 1/2-MILE WINNERS: Volusia Speedway Park is a 1/2-mile semi-banked oval. The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series have raced twice this season on a track that size. The winners include: Craig Dollansky (Volusia Speedway Park) and Jason Meyers (Volusia Speedway Park).
•ALLTEL ALL STARS: The 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals runs through Feb. 16 and features the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series™, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series™, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series™, UMP DIRTcar Racing™ Late Models and Open Wheel Modifieds, and the All Star Circuit of Champions over 12 consecutive nights. Each night includes two feature races with winners eligible to become Alltel All-Stars. To cast a vote for any of the winners so far during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, anybody can go to AlltelAllStar.com and select their favorite DIRTcar Nationals winner or send a text message with their driver’s letter code to 52191. The winning Alltel All-Star receives a $12,000 cash prize.
The Official Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Web site is at http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint. Among the features are updated driver biographies with individual statistics and pictures, race-by-race statistics, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases. Also, links to the 2008 Official Rulebook can be found at the bottom of the home page.
• UPCOMING EVENTS: The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series heads to Pike County Speedway on Saturday, February 16, followed by a trip to the West Coast for a pair of events at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California on February 22 and 23.
Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park Night # 2; February 9, 2008
Qualifying
1) 89-Cody Darrah 13.503
2) 2-Craig Dollansky 13.506
3) 1-Jeff Shepard 13.582
4) 20-Kraig Kinser 13.585
5) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13.599
6) 18-Tony Bruce Jr. 13.607
7) 15-Donny Schatz 13.633
8) 21-Daryn Pittman 13.647
9) 10-Tim Kaeding 13.654
10) 11-Steve Kinser 13.659
11) R19-Jac Haudenschild 13.660
12) 9-Joey Saldana 13.664
13) 25-Chad Layton 13.687
14) 8K-Chad Kemenah 13.696
15) 14-Jason Meyers 13.705
16) 30C-Lance Dewease 13.707
17) 7S-Jason Sides 13.715
18) D1-Justin Henderson 13.736
19) 5W-Lucas Wolfe 13.758
20) 7MX-Mark Smith 13.767
21) 51-Fred Rahmer 13.783
22) 55-Kerry Madsen 13.786
23) 39-T J Stutts 13.799
24) 24-Terry McCarl 13.799
25) 1X-Randy Hannagan 13.838
26) 5-Danny Lasoski 13.849
27) 9P-Rager Phillips 13.850
28) 6-Tim Shaffer 13.860
29) 5C-Chad Hillier 13.884
30) 19-Stevie Smith 13.886
31) 4-Danny Smith 13.896
32) 22B-Ben Gregg 13.908
33) 28-Brian Paulus 13.911
34) 29A-Jason Botsford 13.930
35) B4-Eric Baldaccini 13.955
36) 94-Wayne Johnson 13.959
37) 83-Shane Stewart 13.963
38) 22-Greg Hodnett 13.975
39) W20-Greg Wilson 14.131
40) 80-Spud Gustin 14.142
41) 8H-Dustin Morgan 14.151
42) 71J-Bob Schaeffer 14.212
43) 94S-Natalie Sather 14.226
44) 16-Lee Stark 14.647
45) 44-Jason Johnson -.—
Heat 1 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 25-Chad Layton
2) 10-Tim Kaeding
3) 89-Cody Darrah
4) 7S-Jason Sides
5) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.
6) 51-Fred Rahmer
7) 83-Shane Stewart
8) 28-Brian Paulus
9) 5C-Chad Hillier
10) 1X-Randy Hannagan
11) 8H-Dustin Morgan
12) 44-Jason Johnson
Heat 2 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 2-Craig Dollansky
2) 11-Steve Kinser
3) 55-Kerry Madsen
4) 8K-Chad Kemenah
5) D1-Justin Henderson
6) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.
7) 5-Danny Lasoski
8) 19-Stevie Smith
9) 22-Greg Hodnett
10) 29A-Jason Botsford
11) 71J-Bob Schaeffer
Heat 3 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 14-Jason Meyers
2) 15-Donny Schatz
3) R19-Jac Haudenschild
4) 1-Jeff Shepard
5) 5W-Lucas Wolfe
6) 39-T J Stutts
7) 9P-Rager Phillips
8) W20-Greg Wilson
9) B4-Eric Baldaccini
10) 94S-Natalie Sather
11) 4-Danny Smith
Heat 4 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 30C-Lance Dewease
2) 9-Joey Saldana
3) 20-Kraig Kinser
4) 21-Daryn Pittman
5) 6-Tim Shaffer
6) 24-Terry McCarl
7) 22B-Ben Gregg
8) 80-Spud Gustin
9) 7MX-Mark Smith
10) 16-Lee Stark
11) 94-Wayne Johnson
Crane Cams Dash (6 laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature)
1) 10-Tim Kaeding
2) 14-Jason Meyers
3) 15-Donny Schatz
4) 2-Craig Dollansky
5) 9-Joey Saldana
6) 11-Steve Kinser
7) 25-Chad Layton
8) 30C-Lance Dewease
9) 1-Jeff Shepard
10) 89-Cody Darrah
C-main (8 laps, top 2 finishers transferred to B-main)
1) W20-Greg Wilson
2) 22-Greg Hodnett
3) 83-Shane Stewart [$125]
4) B4-Eric Baldaccini [$125]
5) 80-Spud Gustin [$125]
6) 94S-Natalie Sather [$100]
7) 71J-Bob Schaeffer [$100]
8) 16-Lee Stark [$100]
9) 44-Jason Johnson [$100]
10) 94-Wayne Johnson [$100]
11) 8H-Dustin Morgan [$100]
B-main (12 laps, top 4 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 39-T J Stutts
2) 5-Danny Lasoski
3) 51-Fred Rahmer
4) 28-Brian Paulus
5) 9P-Rager Phillips [$200]
6) 24-Terry McCarl [$180]
7) 1X-Randy Hannagan [$175]
8) 4-Danny Smith [$160]
9) 22-Greg Hodnett [$150]
10) 5C-Chad Hillier [$150]
11) 22B-Ben Gregg [$150]
12) 29A-Jason Botsford [$150]
13) W20-Greg Wilson [$150]
14) 18-Tony Bruce Jr. [$150]
15) 19-Stevie Smith [$150]
16) 7MX-Mark Smith [$150]
A-main (30 laps) – Starting Position [#]
1) 14-Jason Meyers[2] [$10,000]
2) 15-Donny Schatz[3] [$5,000]
3) 9-Joey Saldana[5] [$3,000]
4) 1-Jeff Shepard[9] [$2,700]
5) 2-Craig Dollansky[4] [$2,500]
6) R19-Jac Haudenschild[14] [$2,200]
7) 10-Tim Kaeding[1] [$2,000]
8) 30C-Lance Dewease[8] [$1,800]
9) 21-Daryn Pittman[13] [$1,600]
10) 8K-Chad Kemenah[15] [$1,450]
11) 55-Kerry Madsen[20] [$1,300]
12) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[12] [$1,200]
13) 7S-Jason Sides[16] [$1,100]
14) 25-Chad Layton[7] [$1,000]
15) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[18] [$950]
16) 24-Terry McCarl[25] [$200]
17) D1-Justin Henderson[17] [$850]
18) 28-Brian Paulus[24] [$750]
19) 11-Steve Kinser[6] [$725]
20) 6-Tim Shaffer[23] [$700]
21) 1X-Randy Hannagan[26] [$0]
22) 39-T J Stutts[21] [$700]
23) 89-Cody Darrah[10] [$700]
24) 5-Danny Lasoski[22] [$700]
25) 20-Kraig Kinser[11] [$700]
26) 51-Fred Rahmer[19] [$700]
Lap Leaders: Tim Kaeding 1-7; Donny Schatz 13-15; Jason Meyers 8-12, 16-30
Note: Terry McCarl and Randy Hannagan used Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series provisionals to start the A-Feature.
Chicken Hawk Hot Lap Award: Tim Kaeding
Penske Power Position Award: Joey Saldana
KSE Hard Charger Award: Kerry Madsen
2008 STAT ATTACK
There have been two Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events this season.
A-Feature winners (2 Different Drivers) Driver, Hometown – Wins
1- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 1
Jason Meyers, Clovis, California- 1
Lap leaders, including A-features and preliminary features Car, driver, hometown – Total laps led (4 Drivers have led laps)
1- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 30 laps
2- Jason Meyers, Clovis, California- 20 laps
3- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 7 laps
4- Donny Schatz, Fargo, North Dakota- 3 laps
Time trial leaders (2 different drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Quick times
1- Cody Darrah, Red Lion, Pennsylvania- 1
Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minnesota- 1
Dash Winners (2different winners) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Dash Wins
1- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 1
Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Oklahoma- 1
Pole Positions (2 different drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, California- 1
Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Oklahoma- 1
B-main Winners (2 different winners) Rank – Driver, Hometown – B-Main Wins
1- Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio- 1
T.J. Stutts, Liverpool, Pennsylvania- 1
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award
1- Lance Dewease, Fayetteville, Pennsylvania- 1
Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NWS-1
Crane Cams Engine Builder Challenge
Shaver Specialties 10
Don Ott Engines 8 / -2
Speedway Engines 7 / -3
Kistler Engines 4 / -6
Chassis Builder Challenge
Maxim / 10
J&J / 8 / -2
Top-10 in Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Points
1. Craig Dollansky- 299
2. Jason Meyers- 294
3. Donny Schatz– 292
4. Joey Saldana- 280
5. Lance Dewease- 276
6. Jeff Shepard- 272
7. Tim Kaeding- 266
8. Chad Kemenah- 264
9. Daryn Pittman- 264
10. Terry McCarl- 262
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.
