Knoxville Raceway first feature report 2001-07-16

Meyers Wins First Outlaws Feature at Knoxville
By Richard Day

KNOXVILLE, IA (July 16) -- Everybody affiliated with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series knew it was just a matter of time before Jason Meyers visited victory lane. Even "King of the Outlaws" Steve Kinser said the driver of DOCC Motorsports' #20 Eagle Raceway Eagle "is a good, young driver and he's due for some good runs" when Meyers finished close behind him at State Fair Speedway a month ago.

Meyers dominated the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series' final tune-up for the Amoco Ultimate Knoxville Nationals Monday, winning the First O'Reilly Heat Race, the CHANNELLOCK Dash and leading all 30 laps in the "A" Feature at legendary Knoxville Raceway.

The $10,000 victory, Meyers' first in Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series competition, was the first for DOCC Motorsports since 1995 Knoxville Raceway track champion Johnny Herrera won the 2000 season opener. Twelve different drivers have combined to win the series' 35 main events this year.

"Wow! This is great," Meyers said. "This Maxim car, Hoosier tires and Wesmar engine were great tonight. I just can't believe how good this feels. Davey (Whitworth), Tyler (Swank) and all the guys have stuck with me all year long even when we were struggling and I wasn't in a very good mood, but to come here and win my first race at Knoxville, it's just incredible. I just tried to keep the car straight and not make any mistakes, because I know how tough all those guys are at this place."

Danny Lasoski, who has won seven Knoxville Raceway titles, finished in second place, and regained the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series points lead when Mark Kinser crashed early in the 27th lap. "The Dude" and Kinser have exchanged the points lead 10 times this season.

Meyers, the 2000 World of Outlaws Gumout Series Rookie of the Year, burst into the lead as Doug Clark dropped his green flag in the "A" Feature. Lasoski took over second place by driving NASCAR Winston Cup star Tony Stewart's #20L J.D. Byrider Eagle past O'Reilly Heat Race winners Craig Dollansky and Joey Saldana in the low groove between turns one and two during the second and fourth laps.

Jeff Shepard drove former Knoxville Raceway champion Guy Forbrook's #5 Wirtgen America Maxim deep in the fourth corner to pass Randy Hannagan for seventh place late in the sixth lap, only to stop in turn one with a loose fuel line the next time around.

Jac Haudenschild took the high line through the fourth corner to pass Steve Kinser for seventh within a lap after the green flag replaced the yellow. Kinser used a similar move to regain the position five laps later.

Meyers was .7 seconds ahead of "The Dude" when he entered lapped traffic during lap 17. The Kinser cousins -- Mark and Steve -- passed Iowa Classic champion Stevie Smith during the 19th and 20th laps. They continued their run to the front several laps later, passing Saldana for fourth and fifth place, respectively. "The King of the Outlaws, who started inside the sixth row, drove his #11 Quaker State Maxim past Mark and Dollansky to claim third place with 3 ¼ laps remaining.

Mark Kinser, the defending Amoco Ultimate Knoxville Nationals champion, was trying to take over fourth place in turn two the next time around when he collided with Dollansky and spun into the infield.

Meyers controlled the ensuing restart and was .6 seconds ahead of Lasoski when he took the checkered flag.

Dollansky finished in fourth place, ahead of Smith, 21st-starting Tim Shaffer, Haudenschild, Andy Hillenburg, Saldana and "B" Feature winner Danny Wood.

Hillenburg, who crashed with Paul McMahan and Randy Anderson early in the "B" Feature, used a provisional and started outside the 13th row in the main event. He raced past 18 cars to finish eighth.

Lasoski set quick-time for the sixth time this season, pacing the qualifying session with a 117.971-m.p.h. lap around the semi-banked, ½-mile oval.

-WoO