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

Anyone know anything for 2017? I see TKS and Craig decided to part ways... anyone know of any rumblings? 

The Crowd Pleaser IS THE BEST ever!

Pure speculation here but I'm going with Dollansky to reunite with Big Game/Muddy and Zomer to the 2KS. Like I said, just a guess with no knowledge to either side. :-)

I found the press release to be really odd.  It talks about racing Knoxville weekly, but not having other plans because "schedules" are not out?  What does that even mean?  Everyone knows the Outlaws won't have a schedule out until PRI, and Badlands has already put out a tentative schedule, which has a 100,000 purse race (Which pays about 25k to win) and a 250000 race which pays $50,000 to win and won't have any World of Outlaws drivers at it.  Other than Jackson on Friday's, what else are the wondering about?  Even if the NSL goes away as is rumored, Jackson will still have the Jackson Nationals, they will still have a 6-8 410 shows, plus IRA plus shows when the Outlaws are in the area.

In fact, the only track that normally has a schedule ready by this time is Knoxville, who appears to be really dragging its feat this year.

I think what that means is they plan to do something similiar to last year. It's stated in the article that the reason for the

split is Craig needs to race more and they as a team are not prepared to do that. I wouldnt count out the NSL yet and

don't be suprised if Knoxville/Jackson/Badlands work closer together for bigger shows this year.

I wouldnt say Knoxville is "dragging its feet this year." They didn't release a schedule last year until October 12th.

-Austin Rankin

My hope is that Motter is able to get back on the Outlaws tour.  It would be really great to see Craig in that car!  Love Dave Blaney, but would rather see a full time commitment for that car.

I would put Sheldon in that car before Craig. 

Dollansky is one of the best guys not on tour right now. His record on the WoO tour is pretty excellent and he can run well at Knoxville for sure.

To be honest, I think it makes a lot more sense for Motter to bring his team home.  If Craig could get Polydome and another sponsor onboard, they can make more money at home less expenses than with a 6-10th place team with the Outlaws.  Assuming Knoxville keeps their payout close to the NSL/Badlands payout, they would be consistently be a top 3 team.  Add in the bigger shows like the Silver Shootout, the Gold Cup, Richert Memorial, Jackson Nationals, and the various Outlaw shows, and it would be foolish to not stay around MN.

If you want to win a lot of races and have a good sized budget I'd agree. If your budget is a little tighter Sheldon is probably the riskier choice of the two as you don't see Craig tear stuff up often at all!

I don't disagree. I think the only reason the Motter team was based out of NC with Blaney was the fact that Dave brought a good portion of the sponsors and funding for the team himself. Pull that back to MN area and there is a better chance of winning more high dollar races but it will come at a cost of losing some sponsors. Time will tell on that idea.

Pilgrims and Aversive along with Mother and Craig are all out of Minnesota.  A home team makes sense to me but I'm also a Blaney fan so I want to see this M all with rides.

Stan Meissner

Dollansky/Renfro, Ya really have to read the whole story:  Most stories say as IBracn said, that Dollansky and TKS Motorsports agreed to part ways, automatically we often think the driver and owner didn't see eye to eye but click on the website address (given by IBracn) for the entire story and you see how happy owner Troy Renfro was with Craig:

       "The improvement from our first year in 2015 to this year has been incredible,” he(Renfro) says.  “A lot of that credit goes to Craig.  He’s one of the top drivers out there.  His involvement with our team made us better.  His talent, his knowledge, his focus, everything.  He’s definitely raised the bar for our team.”
     " It’s hard to gauge what the race calendar will look like next year in the Midwest.  Troy knows that leaves uncertainty for a full-time racer like Craig.  “Beyond Knoxville, we don’t know exactly what next year holds until we see the schedules,” he says.  “We’re not a team that can travel very far.  Because of that, we can’t give Craig what he deserves, which is a schedule with a lot of races on it with a higher financed team.”
      "The team and Craig jelled quickly.  “Our relationship has been great,” says Troy.  “We wish the best for Craig and will do everything we can to help him get a ride that can give him more races.  We’re 100% behind him.  I’ve enjoyed working with Craig.  I think I’ve said it before, but I wish we had worked together back when we were both on the Outlaw tour.  He just did a great job for us.”

 Lawlessness and liberalism equals Hell.  NY City, 
Detroit, Seattle, Chicago, Minnepolis, etc. We saw it. 
Burning hundreds of buildings, a thousand assaults and 
dozens of murders. Getting worser and worser.

I wonder if they are just putting out the release now so owners know Dollansky is available and perhaps he gets some calls to get back to a full time ride with the Woo, All Stars, or in the midwest. To me it sounds like there is still a possibility if Craig doesn't find anything he could be back with TKS and their limited schedule. It is easier to search for a ride if people think you are unemployed. Just my thoughts.

I don't think Craig is the only one switching rides over the offseason.  I've heard rumors of multiple driver/team changes in the midwest plus you have a driver named Kerry Madsen still searching for a ride (midwest or Outlaw tour).

I would also imagine there will be a few changes on the Outlaw tour as well in 2017.  I'd say odds are that Roth will change drivers, will McMahon stay in the 7?  Will Blaney stay in the 71M?  Will Sammy end up full time in the BWW 82 and another good driver in the midwest looking for a ride in Zomer? 

Lots of dominoes to fall over the winter.  And probably a surprise or two along the way as well.

Madsen #83 next year is my guess.  Not sure what will happen with McMahan, but I bet whatever it is, it's already been decided by one party or another. Again my guess. 

If you compare winnings to what Sheldon has torn up this year, as a car owner you would be very pleased. He is only getting better by the lap as well as smarter. He doesnt tear stuff up like he used to. 

Any chance that Heffner could put Craig in a secnd 27 I know he did a few years back,it would give him a second contrnder for his first National Open ? Maybe even Port and the Finals.

Wasn't meant to be a knock on Sheldon. He certainly has had alot more success this year with a lot fewer DNFs. A true up and coming driver who deserves a top notch high dollar ride. It was more of a testament to how little Dollansky tears stuff up. I would be really curious to have numbers between the two with winnings to dollars spent on torn up equipment. It might be closer than I think but I would dare say Dollansky would have the edge. I am not even really a fan of Dollansky but hes a proven winner with consistency being one of his best traits. Typically you spend more in sprints than you make so even if Sheldon wins more I just think a smaller team still lose less money with Dollansky.

Damn I hate posting from my phone.  Meant Polydome and Aggressive not pilgrims and whatever else it came up with.  

Stan Meissner