From Craig Dollansky RacingMuch better weather in ‘The Sunshine State’ presented itself on Friday just outside of Barberville as 40 sprinters signed in for battle at the 42nd Annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals. An early draw for qualifying saw ‘The Crowd Pleaser’ rocket around the fast half-mile in 13.078 seconds, a lap that would stand as quick-time for much of the program until falling to 4th late in the session. In the 8-lap heat race the Aggressive Hydraulics Maxim started outside row two and used the lowside of the track to narrow the gap on Jac Haudenschild for 2nd. As the circuits wound down, Dollansky battled the narrow racing surface but just missed out on the runner-up spot and a position in the dash.
Following final preparations by the crew of DJ Lindsey, Sean Michael, Pete Stephens, and Luke Dollansky, the MobileStar #7 lined up inside row six for the 30-lap A-Main. When the green flag waved on the main event Dollansky worked the highside in turns 1 & 2 to advance four spots before the first yellow on lap 10. Positioned on the outside for the double-file restart, the Eaton’s Aeroquip Performance Products backed sprinter used a great restart to blow by two more cars before the field raced into turn 3. After a pair of cautions on lap 21 & 26, the Elk River, Minnesota native again had another outstanding restart motoring into 3rd by turn 2 but a red flag negated the power move. The ensuing single-file restart saw Dollansky maintain 6th in the final four circuits before the checkered flag, marking his 13th top-ten finish at Volusia Speedway Park dating back to 2005.
The second of three programs awaits the Eyecon Trail Cameras #7 team tonight as the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals continues.