From Tony Veneziano
Mechanicsburg, PA-September 29, 2010- Prior to heading to the famed Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania for the Morgan Hughes National Open on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2, each of the 15 full-time World of Outlaws drivers shared their thoughts on the famed event which will again pay $50,000 to-win, with the cameras from SPEED capturing all the action of the finale for future broadcast. Donny Schatz was the last World of Outlaws driver to win the National Open, with that triumph coming in 2007. His victory in the finale of the Summer Nationals in 2008 marked the last time a World of Outlaws driver has won at Williams Grove. He and his teammate 20-time series champion Steve Kinser are tied with four wins each in the National Open.
Craig Dollansky, Driver of the No. 7 Big Game Treestands Maxim:
“I always enjoy going to the Grove in the fall and they usually have the race track in pretty good shape. There is always a great fan turnout as well. It’s a very competitive arena that we go into there and the National Open is one of the biggest races we have all year. There are a lot of strong teams up there and strong cars. They have been on a pretty good roll here lately and hopefully we can go in there and try to break that streak. It’s one of the biggest races we have and to win any big race is great. We’ve been close to winning the National Open and haven’t gotten it done, so hopefully we can go in there and have a little luck on our side and do what we need to do and get up there and have a shot at winning it.”
Ben Gregg, Driver of the No. 2B Kronik Energy Maxim:
“I’m looking forward to going back up there. We have raced there a couple of times now and have had an opportunity to work on the car a little bit. We have a brand new Gaerte Engine to debut out there, so we are expecting some good things and hopefully it will work out. We are certainly way behind on the lap count compared to the guys that run their every week and know that is a disadvantage, but the more laps we get the better we’ll get, so hopefully we’ll have something this go around. Without a doubt that is the toughest competition we face. They have raced up their weekly for years and have the same great equipment and great cars and crews and are certainly tough to beat.”
Sam Hafertepe Jr., Driver of the No. 15H Lone Star Speedway Maxim:
“We can’t wait to get to the Grove. We’ve been pretty fast there this year and were good last year at the end of the year there and had some bad luck. I feel like going back there that we have one of the strongest cars there. You definitely have to qualify in the right spot and have things go your way, get on the front row of a heat race and get in the dash and see how it goes from there. Having led there earlier this year I am very confident going back.”
Jac Haudenschild, Driver of the No. R19 Owens-Corning Fiberglass XXX
“It is a big event and it pays $50,000 so it’s one of the Top-Five races of the year. We’re looking forward to getting to the Grove and running there. We’ve been there enough times and the track really doesn’t change so you always kind of remember what it’s like. The PA guys are always tough and run there a lot. It’s hard to get in the Top-10 there, but the R19 has been good all year, so I think we can get up front there.”
Chad Kemenah: Driver of the No. 63 Golden Flavor Sesame Sticks Maxim:
“It’s certainly a big event at a neat track with a lot of history and prestige. It’s probably the toughest place we race at as well, so hopefully we can go in there and keep our head above water. Those guys race there so much and are mighty good there. Hopefully we can go in there as a group this time and one of us can come out with a win. First and foremost we need to make the shows there. We have struggled there, even when things go well something seems to break. If we can make both races and come out with two Top-10’s that would be great.”
Kraig Kinser, Driver of the No. 11K Quaker State Maxim:
“I always enjoy racing at the Grove and have usually run pretty well when we have gone up there. Everyone has had all year to figure their cars out and hopefully when we get there we have figured ours out better than everyone else. When you have success there it always helps, but I’d rather have some momentum now rolling in there. It defiantly does boost the confidence knowing we led their earlier this year and were in contention. You have competition everywhere, but when you go to Pennsylvania you know you are getting the cream of the crop. We race against a lot of good young talent there and a lot of veterans that have many more laps than we do there. You definitely know you are racing against the best when you go there.”
Steve Kinser, Driver of the No. 11 Bass Pro Shops Maxim:
“I always enjoy going up there and it’s a big race. I wish we would have run a little better the last few times we have been up there. It’s a place I like racing at and always look forward to going to. It will be a big weekend and hopefully we have a good weekend. They have a good handle on that race track and some good competition weekly. All of those guys make each other better. We need to get a few guys to step up and stand our ground I guess you could say. We’re looking forward to going out there and racing.”
Danny Lasoski, Driver of the No. 6 Casey’s General Store JEI:
“We’ve been close to winning that thing a couple of times and are really looking forward to going out there. There is nothing we would like more than to go into Barry Jackson’s (Crew Chief) backyard and win a National Open. Those guys have been tough this year, but I’m confident the World of Outlaws guys can get back on top. It helps to go back there anytime. Those guys run their week in and week out and definitely have an advantage, but we learned some things there earlier this year and are excited to head back.”
Toni Lutar, Driver of the No. 4X Northwest Used Auto Parts KPC:
“I’m looking forward to going back there. It’s a fun place to go and a fun place to race. They have a great crowd there and they really get into it. We have a new car to try there so I am looking forward to it. It’s pretty stiff competition there and those guys are on the gas. It definitely helps having some laps at a track like that.”
Paul McMahan, Driver of the No. 91 Great Clips Maxim:
“Williams Grove and I have a love/hate relationship. Some days I love it and some days I hate it. After our last run there, I am really looking forward to going back there this time. Hopefully I don’t make the mistake I made last time in the feature. With the history of the National Open to go in there and win it would be pretty special. To finally get the World of Outlaws back to Victory Lane at Williams Grove would mean the most. You are in their house when you go up there. They race there every Friday night. We come there a few times a year and they race there 25 or 30 times a year. It’s tough, but we have done it before and have some strong cars running with us this year.”
Jason Meyers, Driver of the No. 14 GLR Investments KPC
“We’re absolutely looking forward to going up there. We are still looking for our first win at the Grove for our engine builder Charlie Garrett and for this team. We are running good right now and we’ll keep digging. A lot of it has to do with starting position. The cars are so even anymore that the guys that start up front have an advantage as far as winning the race. Things can happen and we’ve seen races won from further back this year. You definitely have to get yourself in a good position to win there. The Gold Cup for me was really special and the National Open is right up there as well. Those are two peas in a pod and it would be special to win the National Open, especially for Charlie Garrett. That’s a race he has never won and it’s a special race to him. It would be great for us to win and even better to see the smile on his face if we won it.”
Joey Saldana, Driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Maxim:
“It could be the deciding factor in the points. Donny Schatz has excelled there and it’s usually who does well at the Grove wins the points. I don’t see this year being any different. The first four races for us there this year have not been too bad. They could definitely have been better and you want to win races, especially at the Grove. Hopefully we can go in there and run strong like we have in the past. It would be huge for me to win there. I have only won one race at the Grove. You don’t hear about the guys that have run second on back and we have run second there a lot of times, but you don’t get recognition for second. We definitely would definitely like to go in there and win a race, especially for Kasey Kahne Racing. I know they have been trying a long time to win a race there and it would be huge for the whole team to do it.”
Donny Schatz, Driver of the No. 15 Armor All/STP J&J:
“I love going there and can’t wait to get up there. It might be one of those races where I can get myself a little bit ahead on. I’m looking forward to it and it’s a fun place to go. It’s been very good to me in my career. To be tied with Steve Kinser with four wins is pretty special and hopefully I can get one more to be the first guy to get five. We’ve been working on that the last eight races and have been descent there, we just haven’t had that extra edge and that’s something you have to work on. Their local racers are great racers and they are very capable of winning Outlaws shows and they have proved that. We have to get out there and get our game on and try to put ourselves in a good position to win that $50,000. I’m chomping at the bit. Justin (Loh) has put up a lot of money there the last few years and we have missed out on it. I’m ready to get there and get my share of it this time.”
Jason Sides, Driver of the No. 7S Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim:
“It’s the biggest race of the year in that area for sure and one of the Top-Five that we run. It’s a good weekend for everyone. Hopefully they have a lot of cars and the crowds there are always great. This year in the National Open, I believe it will be one of the World of Outlaws guys that win it. I think everyone has gotten their senses about these tires and kind of know what to expect and that should help. It will be great competition all weekend, that’s for sure.”
Lucas Wolfe, Driver of the No. 5W Allebach Racing Maxim:
“It’s a race I always circle on the calendar and I’ve been racing for quite a while. It’s the biggest race in the area and it’s the last real big paying race of the year. They always have a great crowd there and a big field of cars. It’s always one you look forward to. I’m excited to get back home and race. We had a little bit of success there earlier this year racing in some local shows and hopefully we’ll have some good results this time. They are all good cars and a lot of the guys that race there have spent time out here on the road and are great drivers. It’s definitely a challenge to win there and hopefully I can be the guy that breaks that streak.”
On Friday, October 1 at Williams Grove Speedway, adult general admission tickets will be $28 with general admission tickets for those ages 13-20 $15 and children ages 12-under free of charge. For tickets call the track at 717-679-5000.
On Saturday, October 2 at Williams Grove Speedway, adult general admission tickets will be $35 with general admission tickets for those ages 13-20 $18 and children ages 12-under admitted free of charge. For tickets call the track at 717-679-5000.