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 Craig Dollansky Wires Field in Des Moines for First FVP National Sprint League Win!
by Bill Wright

Des Moines, IA, July 22, 2015 – Craig Dollansky won his first career feature with the FVP National Sprint League Wednesday night at the Iowa State Fair Speedway.  The driver known as “The Crowd Pleaser” had a massive crowd to please.  Ticket lines were backed up several blocks and required additional workers to accommodate the large throng of race fans.  The win was worth a total of $4,000 for the Elk River, Minnesota driver.  The night honored the late Danny Young, who lost his life twenty years ago.  The Young family put up a $1,000 bonus for the night’s winner.

Dollansky started on the pole of the 20-lap feature in the TKS Motorsports #2KS by virtue of his win in the Fuel Safe Dash.  He would gain an early advantage, while Brian Brown moved into second from his fourth starting spot.  Brooke Tatnell avoided disaster when the green flag fell and there was contact from another car.  He would settle into third.

Four laps were run, when Ian Madsen spun in turn four.  At the same time, Dakota Hendrickson came to a stop in turn two and retired from the event.  Hendrickson had earlier turned over in his heat race. The slowdown did not affect Dollansky, as he pulled away.  Late in the going, Brown closed the distance on the leader, but could do no better than second at the stripe.  In an event supported strongly by Casey’s General Stores, the lead pair would fly those colors.  Tatnell, Danny Lasoski and Tim Kaeding completed the top five.  Bryan Clauson, Bill Balog, Terry McCarl, Lynton Jeffrey and Matt Juhl rounded out the top ten.

Jeffrey set quick time on the event, while Brown, Terry McCarl and Lasoski won heat races.  The event marked the first time in sixteen years that 410 sprint cars had visited the big half-mile in Des Moines.  Jason Martin won the companion $1,500 305 sprint car feature.

“This is an awesome win for TKS Motorsports,” said Dollansky in Victory Lane.  “It’s been a trying year for myself, my family, our fans and supporters.  You just need to keep digging and battling. Tonight, we were fortunate enough to get track position, but at the same time, we capitalized on it. We’ve got a good team here, we’ve just got to keep working on it.  Thank you to the NSL.  Tod Quiring started a great series here.”

“We haven’t won one of these, so anytime you can see the front, you sit up in the seat a little higher,” said Brown.  “Congratulations to Craig.  He’s a world class sprint car driver.  To start eighth in the Dash, and get to fourth…then to finish second was like a win for us.  What a great crowd!  Thanks for everyone for coming out.”

“We knew how important the start was,” said Tatnell.  “We’re a little disappointed with third to be honest.  We struggled a bit since we had our problems at Knoxville.  Hopefully, this can get us back to where we were about three weeks ago.  Congratulations to Craig and TKS Motorsports.”

FVP National Sprint League “Fair Speedweek” moves on to the Jackson Speedway in Minnesota on Thursday, July 23.  The NSL will finish this weekend at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota on Sunday, July 26.  For more information on the FVP National Sprint League, visitwww.NationalSprintLeague.com!

Results from Iowa State Fair Speedway

FVP A main (started), 20 Laps: 1. 2KS, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN [1]; 2. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO [4]; 3. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust. [2]; 4. 2, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO [7]; 5. 3, Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA [5]; 6. 17w, Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN [6]; 7. 17B, Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI [3]; 8. 24, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA [11]; 9. 12, Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA [8]; 10. 09, Matt Juhl, Tea, SD [10]; 11. 17A, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA [12]; 12. 13, Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND [14]; 13. 18, Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust. [9]; 14. 81, Austin Johnson, Pleasant Hill, IA [13]; 15. 7TAZ, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA [16]; 16. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA [18]; 17. 69, Michael Moore, Des Moines, IA [17]; 18. 5H, Dakota Hendrickson, Omaha, NE [15]. Lap Leader: Dollansky 1-20. KSE Hard-charger: Lasoski.

Fuel Safe Dash (started), 6 Laps: 1. Craig Dollansky [2]; 2. Brooke Tatnell [1]; 3. Bill Balog [4]; 4. Brian Brown [8]; 5. Tim Kaeding [7]; 6. Bryan Clauson [3]; 7. Danny Lasoski [5]; 8. Lynton Jeffrey [6]

DMI Heat one (started), 8 Laps: 1. Brian Brown [2]; 2. Austin McCarl [1]; 3. Tim Kaeding [3]; 4. Brooke Tatnell [4]; 5. Dakota Hendrickson [5]; 6. Chris Martin [6]

Kaeding Performance Heat two (started), 8 Laps: 1. Terry McCarl [1]; 2. Ian Madsen [2]; 3. Bill Balog [3]; 4. Mark Dobmeier [5]; 5. Bryan Clauson [4]; 6. Michael Moore [6]

Maxim Racing Heat three (started), 8 Laps: 1. Danny Lasoski [2]; 2. Matt Juhl [1]; 3. Craig Dollansky [3]; 4. Lynton Jeffrey [4]; 5. Austin Johnson [5]; 6. Tasker Phillips [6]

The Minnesota Mafia Time Trials: 1. Lynton Jeffrey, 17.921 [6]; 2. Bryan Clauson, 17.973 [2]; 3. Brooke Tatnell, 18.093 [7]; 4. Craig Dollansky, 18.097 [9]; 5. Bill Balog, 18.103 [4]; 6. Tim Kaeding, 18.127 [10]; 7. Danny Lasoski, 18.155 [17]; 8. Ian Madsen, 18.213 [12]; 9. Brian Brown, 18.236 [14]; 10. Matt Juhl, 18.309 [13]; 11. Terry McCarl, 18.331 [3]; 12. Austin McCarl, 18.556 [16]; 13. Austin Johnson, 18.581 [18]; 14. Mark Dobmeier, 18.616 [1]; 15. Dakota Hendrickson, 18.650 [5]; 16. Tasker Phillips, 18.939 [11]; 17. Michael Moore, 18.971 [8]; 18. Chris Martin, 19.207 [15]

Contingencies

Minnesota Mafia Quick Time – Lynton Jeffrey

Fuel Safe Dash – Craig Dollansky

DMI Heat – Brian Brown

Kaeding Performance Heat – Terry McCarl

Maxim Racing Heat – Danny Lasoski

Speedway Graphics “From the Tail Award” – Chris Martin

KSE Hard-charger Award – Danny Lasoski

Bell Helmets “Hard Luck Award” – Dakota Hendrickson

Photo: Craig Dollansky picked up the FVP National Sprint League win over Brian Brown (R) and Brooke Tatnell (L) (Dave Hill Photo)

Bill Wright

FVP National Sprint League PR Director

[email protected]

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

What a shame to have such a great crowd last night and one of the worst ran shows I have ever witnessed.

The ticket line had to grow to a half mile before they figured out that 1-2 windows were not going to be enough to get everyone in by hot laps.

The track prep.... or lack there of was absolutely pitiful. When the track is shoot by hot laps you missed the boat. It was 83 and cloudy yesterday and a guy with sprint car knowledge runs the track so I assumed the track would be decent.

The drivers couldnt have enjoyed the night cause no one could pass other than on the restart. The crowd (extremely full with probably some potential new fans) had to go away last night thinking sprintcars are more one-laned than nascar. And last night that was definately true.

Once the track prep missed the boat they decided to try and tear up the high side of 1-2. 2 grooves ABOVE the rubbered down surface. I swear sparks were coming off the cultivator that ground was so dry and tough. Watered the rubber without tilling it up.... did nothing. Then worst of all they packed in the small cushion we did have in 3-4 forcing everyone to the bottom on that side. Also, packing the track before time trials to widen the racing surface? Seriously?

I'm spoiled by Knoxville and Saturday can't come soon enough. Its gonna be hard to draw that many fans next year including myself to the State Fari Speedway and thats a shame.

Three great guys in that photo, kinda hard to tell the middle guy won tho' and he is always smiling, hmmm.....

Couldn't agree more on all points... great opportunity to make an amazing impression on a HUGE crowd... that was totally wasted.  

Packing in the dust on the high side of 1 & 2 before time trials didn't help the track... but it was already FUBAR'd when someone stole the keys to the water truck earlier in the afternoon. 

I liked when they put the trucks out during opening ceremonies. As if they needed any help moving the cushion up. Also,

the purse for the 305's was MASSIVE! Spread that out to the back end of the 410's and you just might raise your car count

by 5 or so.

-Austin Rankin

Nice report. Like you, I have been wondering about car counts. I was at the show at Park Jefferson where they had 23 cars and it was on a Friday night. They had a pretty good crowd there, as well although it did not look good during hot laps and time trials. Back to the car count..................I know it was only a single show that weekend but I thought there would be more cars, should have been 30 at least but it seems that, other than their basic core of racers, the NSL is not really getting a lot of support from the racers and I can't figure out why. I could name off four or more cars from the Sioux Falls area that should have been at the Park but did not show.

Racers have complained in the past about not being enough decent paying shows around to run at. They can't say that as much anymore but they do have to support them when they are run.

And, why do so many tracks think they have to have a dustbowl anymore? Has watering a track become a thing of the past? Dust in hotlaps, I think, is totally unacceptable. I don't mind a dry track for features but that can go too far, as well.

I drove 120 miles one way for this race and the track was a disappointment. It's a shame because of the amazing crowd that so many problems plagued the race (track prep, ticket lines, and concession lines mainly). One of the positives was that I did get out of the fairgrounds by 10:05, so it wasn't a terribly late night getting home. I really hope they have this event next year, because there's a lot of potential to build something out of this race. The crowd and atmosphere gave it the feel of a big event, I just hope the crowd of non-sprint car fans in attendance are not turned off by this one race.

Let's do it again next year and fix the problems, I'll definitely be willing to give it a second chance.

Ask Frank

One of the biggest mess ups of a racetrack I have ever seen. Maybe next time the Dunkins could help out and get it right because it was evident these guys had not the slighted idea 

Just 60 miles for me but I still felt cheated so I feel for you and would be impressed if you came back next year and risk it again. I am a huge fan but Im sitting at 50/50 for next year. If something comes up I wouldnt be afraid to plan something else during this night next year.

Also we were cheated of 5 laps. That should have been a 25 lap race I believe but they cut it to 20 due to tire wear concerns. So not only did good racing get throw out by track prep but also by strategy. Its the only thing we had left for excitement. Who saved their tires? Who didnt? ..... Didnt matter

They didn't learn from the Sprint invaders a few weeks ago.....took rubber then.

Here's something else that kind of grinded my gears, although not related to the on track action. I stopped at the Casey's on the north side of Indianola in order to patronize one of the sport's great sponsors. Grabbed a bag of cherry sours, a Coke and went to grab a slice of Casey's pizza (which I was severely craving) and found out that there was no pizza.... Got back on the road and then stopped at the Casey's on the south side of Indianola. Once again, no pizza....

Come on, man!

Ask Frank

Sounds like the whole World was off its axis just a little bit yesterday! 

Were you there muddy?  I was, and thought the track was decent that night.  It slicked off a little bit at the end and was kinda of one-lane around the top... but didn't lay rubber to my recollection... certainly NOTHING like it was last night (rubber in the heats).  The comments exchanged amongst the group I was sitting with after the races were over were that we hoped the track would be like this for the NSL show in a few weeks (probably the kiss of death, dammit).  They OVER-watered the track for the sprint invader show in July of 2014, and there were some pretty big holes (especially entering turn 1) -- it was alright though -- made it interesting.  I'd take either one of those tracks ANY day over the abomination that was last night!  

Share many of the same thoughts as above, but would add a couple things.

1). There were a lot of kids there last night, and it was great to see the track and sponsors supporting that.

2). I think they need to come up with a way to better close off the track entrance for the cars.  I cant see something like if the track ever gets right, and with a full field of competitive 410s, WOO or otherwise.  Its a launch pad, or a dead stop right now.

3). Would really like to see a Lucas Oil late model race here.

This reminds me of the time my good friend brought his future wife to her first sprint car show. The track prep was absolute GARBAGE and dust was blowing in hot laps as cars skated around on hard pan dusty dirt. The racing was awful single file nonsense. That was the first and last time for her to want to attend the races. She said flat out she has no interest in going ever again. I swear if I had came across that low life promoter after the races I would've wanted to punch him in his face. Promoters like that RUIN our sport. There is no excuse for shitty track prep. No excuse at all.

Cheers!

SOOO glad I staid home. Would be pissed to make a 120 mile drive one way for that. Tony Moro should know more about how to prep a racetrack for sprint cars. Hope him & Matt never bitch about track prep anywhere because they lost their right to do that last night when Tony proved he can not do it right himself. What did it cost to get in to watch such a crappy show?

The Dude was the hard charger for going from 7th to 4th?????

I bet a lot of those fans will not go back untill they here they missed a good show on a good track. if that ever happens.

How dare all you bad mouth the great Hall of Famer, Tony Moro.  He's done so much to make sprint car racing what it is today.  He is the greatest thing since sliced cheese, just listen to the announcer on a regular friday night at Des Moines races.  If you had to take a swig of beer for everytime they said moro during the races, you would be hammered by the end of the night.  Thank god they had open headers last night so we didn't have to hear it.  This week he lost the keys to the water truck, and last week he forgot to call the ambulance service for the Sprint Invaders show. I was told that the only reason the 2014 Sprint Invaders at Des Moines was any good, was because the Invaders prepped the track.  It was a good track that night. 

I have been going to the races in Des Moines since the early 90's.  Quit going when the Sprint cars were replaced by the Hog Haulers of Karl Moyer, and the famous Moro's in 2001.  Not only was he helpfull in killing Sprint car racing in Des Moines once,  he has managed to do it again. Moro has been riding the coat tails of Trostle, Casey's, and Karl Chevrolet way to long.  Joke Joke Joke.

Strike 3 for Me.