From CDRThe sprint cars are assembled and wrapped with stunning new graphics, the new-look hauler is stocked, and soon the team will depart for ‘The Sunshine State’ to kick off the grueling 89-race World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series season. With action beginning on Wednesday for the first of two nights of action under the UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions banner, ‘The Crowd Pleaser’ Craig Dollansky shared some thoughts prior to departing for Florida.
RV: How was your offseason?
CD: The offseason has been good. After the World Finals we went straight to deer camp where my Dad and my son Garrett along with a few others set up camp opening weekend. Camp consists of a 24 man army tent in the middle of the woods in northern Minnesota which has been tradition in my family for over 50 years. Paul Johnson from Aggressive Hydraulics, DJ, Troy, and my other son Luke made the trip up for a weekend of hunting which was great to get them up to camp.
RV: You went to Australia once again this offseason and teamed up with Flex Motorsport, how was that experience?
CD: We were able to spend time with family and friends over Thanksgiving and were off to Australia not long after that to race for a few weeks for Flex Motorsport. The entire Brady family are great people and we enjoyed our time with them. Sean Michael and I felt like we were just starting to get a handle on things and it was time to leave. Third place was the best finish we had out of the three races so we weren’t very happy with that but were very appreciative of the opportunity to race for Flex Motorsport who have a first class operation.
CD: Having the team based out of Windom with Big Game as the owner is a big benefit that we all have embraced. For myself, rather than spending 70 percent of my time worrying about keeping the team afloat to get to the end of the year, I can now focus much more on racing and working with my crew to make our team stronger. Big Game is a first class operation with a race shop as nice as they get.
RV: 2013 will be your fourth full season carrying the Big Game brand and each year has proven better than the year prior, what has been the key to this progression?
CD: To be able to build on what we have built the last three years is great for our entire team. Tod Quiring and I have over 20 World of Outlaws wins in our three years together and I feel like we are just getting started. We know we left quite a few wins on the table last year and came close to winning our first championship together. We’re not looking back and know close isn’t good enough, everyone involved with this Eyecon Trail Cameras #7 team is working hard to win our first championship in 2013.
RV: The #7 team has a strong nucleus with many great supporters, what’s it like to have that stability in racing?
CD: The structure of this team has me more excited about going racing than I’ve been in a while. To carry the Eyecon Trail Cameras brand the next few years is something I’m very proud of and our entire team appreciates the support from Tod and everyone at Big Game. We also have the continued support from Aggressive Hydraulics, MobileStar, and Aeroquip which is a big help in keeping our team strong. Brian Morrison does a great job with our motor program and is also a key part of our team. Having Brian handle our motor program along with all the manufacturers we work with will be key to keeping our team prepared and winning races.
This will also be the third full year with DJ Lindsey since working together in the past. We both are seeking our first championship and are hungry as ever. DJ is not only a great crew chief for me but also a great friend.
RV: Sean Michael joined the team midway through last season and is on the crew again this year, what does he bring to the table?
CD: Sean has been a great addition to our team adding depth and experience. The time that we have raced together I have enjoyed and look forward to now having him onboard with us full time. Sean and DJ have worked very hard this offseason to prepare our team for the long season ahead. Those two along with Luke and Pete Stephens working with the team again have me very confident that our team will be strong and prepared.
RV: The 2013 World of Outlaws schedule has grown even more compared to last season, do you think the schedule is back to where it needs to be?
CD: The schedule is going to be a long grueling schedule but our team and myself are working hard to be ready for it!
RV: What are you looking forward to most this season?
CD: I am looking forward to seeing our fans and meeting new ones as we race throughout the US and Canada and go to some tracks that we have never been to before.