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– KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 28) – Danny Lasoski didn’t win a race this weekend, but he claimed something much more important.
The veteran picked up his record ninth track championship at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.
“That’s a pretty huge deal,” he said. “We’re really proud of that. There’s no possible way without Todd Creason and Tony Ross that I’d be able to even go to the races, let alone win the championship.
“When I say we had zero budget, I mean zero budget. I had no full-time crew guys. It was all volunteer help and I just appreciate each and every one of those guys.”
Despite a “disastrous” night on Saturday at the ½ mile, Lasoski wrapped up the title with one race remaining.
The Dover, Mo., native qualified 11th and finished fifth in his heat race to claim the final automatic bid to the feature. Lasoski started eighth and finished ninth – his 36th top 10 in 44 features this year.
“It seems like since the Knoxville Nationals nothing can go right there,” he said. “To put it in a nutshell, we couldn’t keep up with the pace truck.”
Lasoski will return to Knoxville this Saturday for the season finale in an effort to turn around his struggles of the past month.
“I am no quitter and we’re going to keep fighting until the checkered flag falls,” he said.
The weekend started off on Friday at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., for an ASCS Midwest Region vs. Warrior Region showdown.
Lasoski started second in his heat race, but won by a straightaway to earn a spot in the redraw. However, he pulled the No. 5, which started him on the inside of the third row at the high-banked track.
Lasoski picked off three cars in front of him to take the runner-up position midway through the race. He then chased down polesitter Jack Dover in lapped traffic before a late caution allowed one more opportunity for Lasoski.
“Dover and I were probably as equal as we could get,” he said. “He did what he had to do. It was our job to get around him.”
Lasoski pulled to next to Dover on the bottom in turn four with three laps remaining, but Dover had the momentum and maintained the lead.
“I thought if I could let him see me, he’d change his line,” Lasoski said. “But he’s a good race car driver and good drivers don’t get rattled.”
Lasoski finished second to record his 29th top-five result of the season.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 26 – U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. – Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 2 (5).
Aug. 27 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 11; Heat race: 5 (3); Feature: 9 (8).
SEASON STATS –
47 races, 44 features, 9 wins, 29 top fives, 36 top 10s, 39 top 15s, 41 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
FAVORITE NUMBER –
9: Knoxville Raceway track championships for Lasoski, which is the most of any driver at the famed track.
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 listen to Lasoski’s interview, which begins around the 22-minute mark.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=18548
Here is video of Lasoski’s 96th career feature victory at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, on July 16:
Here are a couple of highlight videos of Lasoski’s win at the inaugural event for the Midwest Open Wheel Association – on April 23 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa.
Check out this video of Lasoski’s victory at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., on Aug. 19, when he charged from 16th:
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc.
Established in 1960, Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. is a trucking company based in Sedalia, Mo. Owner Ron Ditzfeld has been instrumental in helping Lasoski and numerous other racers for years. For more information, visit www.ditzfeldtransfer.com.
“Ron has kinda been the behind-the-scenes guy that helps a lot of racers,” Lasoski said. “He makes sure we have a truck to get from point A to point B. And if we need engines or anything picked up across the United States, he’s there. We appreciate all his help.”
Lasoski would also like to thank Creason Pipeline Services, the Michael Ross Foundation, Eagle Motorsports, Hoosier, Wertz Designs and Kistler Engines for their continued support.
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