‘The Classic’ Finale

Craig Dollanksy
Craig Dollanksy

From CDR

One of the most prestigious events in Australia, the 39th running of The Standard Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, was on tap Sunday at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium.

As expected, another strong field of cars took to the track with the first round of heat races lined up according to points accrued from Saturday night’s program. Since Dollansky earned the 14th most points he lined up outside the front row in the fourth heat and would cruise to the victory. The second round of heats were inverted as the D&B Goodyer Development USA #7 started ninth and methodically worked his way through the field and up to 2nd at the finish.

Points were again accumulated after the sixteen heat races to determine the starting grid for ‘The Classic’ main event. Earning the fifth most points meant the driver out of Elk River, Minnesota would start from inside the third row. In the feature Dollansky would hang in the fifth position nearly all race long but started to run out of fuel with 5 laps to go. Luckily there was enough in the tank to make it to the checkered flag as Dollansky crossed the finish line fifth but after Cody Darrah was disqualified the USA #7 would officially finish 4th.

With racing on Sunday marking the end of Dollansky’s New Zealand & Australia tour, ‘The Crowd Pleaser’ finished with 2 victories, 3 runner-ups, 9 top fives, and finished in the top ten in all 12 events.

Craig and wife Julie will now travel back to the frozen state of Minnesota for a couple weeks before heading to Florida to kick off the 2011 World of Outlaws season.