Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

There was quite a bit of banter by many after Craig left the Big Game ride, then struggled with the Roth and Destiny deals that he was a finished driver. Funny how "knowing" sprint car fans can write somebody off in such a short period of time. Like "yep he's forgotten how to drive a sprint car". Not hardly! He hasn't come full circle yet, but I do believe he's getting close. The new ride that he climbed in to last year had some growing pains which is normal....but towards the end of the season last year it was plain to see they were starting to figure it out and getting up to speed. Last night At Jackson Motorplex for the NSL show they may have shown their hand. Coming out late to set quick time....then getting past Lasoski in his heat race with a tight wheel to wheel pass....and a flag to flag win in the A Feature against a rather stiff field of cars should be a big confidence booster. The Crowd Pleaser has not forgotten how to drive a sprint car! I hope he has continued success this year in his second season in the 2KS. I think the NSL is in for a very competitive season.

 I can't imagine anyone thought he had lost driving skills.  He definitely felt the crunch of the lack of quality rides though. 

Craig revealed last year that he was fighting a case of lyme disease and was fighting exhaustion and not feeling well until they found the problem.  He said something to the effect that it took a while to get the diagnosis so they could treat it which is often the case with that illness.  In addition to that they're a new team and it takes a while for things to come together.  Craig is still young enough that his skills aren't going to drop off anytime soon. 

When drivers lose their well funded high profile rides and go back to running locally they're usally not working with the same budget so in addition to the team having to gell they've got that to deal with.  Drivers who made a living with the Outlaws for years don't forget how to drive over the winter (even over our long Minnesota winters) but face other challenges that can affect their success.  Fans are quick to jump on the driver's skills but Sprint Car racing is a team sport so there is more involved than meets the eye.  Unfortuately the driver is always the first person who meets the eye.  ;)

Stan Meissner

I hate to hear that he is/was going through that.   I'm glad he has apparently recovered well from it.   Lyme disease can be far more serious.   One of my co-workers came down with it and it messed up his nervous system.   He was a very talented fiddle player and played gigs on the weekends in a country band.   He did recover well enough to be able to return to work, but lost the dexterity in his hands needed to play the fiddle.   It also affected his speech a little bit too.    Hope Dollansky is back to 100% now.   I'd like to see him back at the front.