Danny Lasoski Weekly update 2002-07-10

Open wheel superstar Lasoski set for third IROC Race in Chicago; busy week ahead for the defending World of Outlaw Champion.

CONCORD, NC (July 10, 2002) -- For the third time this year, defending Pennzoil World of Outlaw Champion Danny "The Dude" Lasoski will be turning more miles around the country than he will on the racetrack, as the open wheel superstar will compete in the third round of the International Race of Champions at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Mix that in with four WoO races at four different racetracks in four different states, including three shows this weekend, and "The Dude's" championship caliber driving style and team will be tested this week.

"This will be a real test on this team," said Lasoski, making his way to Beaver Dam, WI and Wednesday's show at Powercom Park Raceway. "We have a very busy week of racing with the Outlaws, and add to that the IROC race and practice; we will be tested as a team. If we can keep things heading in the right direction and the guys with this J.D. Byrider/Tony Stewart Motorsports team keep a decent car under me, we will consider this a major victory. I have the utmost faith in my guys to have everything ready and top notch. I just hope I won't let them down, because it will be a tough weekend."

Lasoski and the rest of the WoO series had three nights of action over the weekend in North Dakota at the annual "Duel in the Dakotas." Despite a disappointing night on Friday when a tire went down while leading in the feature with just one lap to go, the Tony Stewart Motorsports team remained alive and well in the championship hunt, trailing Steve Kinser by 15 points. During the weekend events, Lasoski managed to record two heat race wins and an O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash win, his series-leading 12th of the year.

"Jimmy Carr (Crew Chief) and the entire J.D. Byrider / Tony Stewart Motorsports team has been preparing me great cars all year long and the points show that," Lasoski said. "We had a car that could have won this weekend, but we got bit by some bad luck. That happens in big league motorsports. I just feel really bad for Massey Motorsports, American Compressed Steel, Eagle Chassis, Hoosier Tires and Kistler Engines. They are the people that support this team and we want to take them to victory lane every time possible."

The series raced at Cedar Lake Speedway in Somerset, WI last evening, with Lasoski coming home ninth in the "A" feature despite qualifying second. It was Lasoski's 31st top-10 finish in 36 races.

Lasoski will be tested this week, as he and the rest of the WoO Series hits it hard in the Midwest. In addition to the Wednesday show in Wisconsin, the series will run at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL on Friday before moving to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO on Saturday. The series will then move to the Hoosier State, for action at the Terre Haute Action Track in Terre Haute, IN on Sunday.

Saturday's IROC race in Chicago is set to start at 12:45 pm (CT).

-www.dannylasoski.com-