From Inside Line Promotions
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (May 9) – Danny Lasoski limped his car into the pits and then hobbled himself into his trailer.
It was a rough finish to what looked like a promising night Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, where the veteran sprint car driver lost what would have been his 95th feature victory by one one-hundredth of a second after the U-joint broke on the final lap.
“It broke when I got the white flag,” said Lasoski, who led the first 19 laps. “I would have shut it down if it wasn’t the last lap.”
Lasoski pedaled the car around the fast ½-mile dirt oval as the driveline was ravaging his left leg.
“I slowed down and nobody was passing me,” he said. “I kept waiting for someone to pass me. I came off turn four and nobody had passed me, so I thought I’m gonna try to pick up the pace. It exploded as I got to the pit gate and I was basically in neutral as I crossed the line.”
Dusty Zomer was able to power by the slowing Lasoski for a photo finish, which will make the winningest driver in Knoxville Raceway history have to wait another week for his next opportunity to claim win No. 95. In the meantime, Lasoski is on the mend with a bruised left leg.
“It’s sore,” he said. “It’s gonna take a couple of days. But the bad part is that it bent every valve in the motor. I’ve got to send it back to Paul Kistler, who is the best in the business.”
Lasoski qualified 15th and then drove from third to claim his heat race. The feature was inverted by 12, which started Lasoski on the outside of the front row. He rocketed to the lead on the first circuit and was never challenged for the lead until the mechanical issue on the final lap.
Earlier in the week, the former World of Outlaws’ champion competed with his former series, finishing 17th at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla.
He started 15th and worked his way into the top 10 before a flat right rear tire soured the night.
Lasoski, who leads the Knoxville Championship Cup Series points, is scheduled to race in Knoxville this Saturday.
QUICK RESULTS –
May 3 – Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla. – Qualifying: 15; Heat race: 5 (5); Feature: 17 (15).
May 7 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 15; Heat race: 1 (3); Feature: 2 (2).
SEASON STATS –
16 races, 15 features, 4 wins, 8 top fives, 10 top 10s, 12 top 15s, 14 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
FAVORITE NUMBER –
8: Top-four finishes in his last 10 races, including events with the World of Outlaws, ASCS National Tour, ASCS Warrior Region, NCRA, MOWA and the Knoxville Championship Cup Series.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: www.dannylasoski.com
ON THE AIR –
Lasoski was a featured guest on the ASCS Show by Racinboys on April 12. Click on the link below to list to Lasoski’s interview, which begins around the 22-minute mark.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=18548
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Creason Pipeline Services
Creason Pipeline Services is owned by Todd Creason, a longtime friend of Lasoski’s. Located in Carrollton, Mo., and Barnsdall, Okla., Creason Pipeline Services offers a variety of options in the pipeline industry. For more information, visit www.creasonpipeline.com.
“Todd Creason is not a sponsor; he’s my friend,” Lasoski said. “Without him, I couldn’t even run a local race. Todd has let me use his engines and his trailer so I can make it from point A to point B. I really appreciate his support and friendship.”
Lasoski would also like to thank the Michael Ross Foundation, Eagle Motorsports, Hoosier, Wertz Designs, Kistler Engines and Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. for their continued support.