5/12/2015
Sprint Source
CDR: Learning in First Weekend with Roth Motorsports
Craig Dollansky returned to competition this past weekend with the World of Outlaws as he joined forces with the legendary Roth Motorsports team beginning at the ultra-fast Eldora Speedway on Friday.
Set to go with 39 drivers on hand at the ½-mile, the night began with Dollansky timing in 29th fastest in qualifying. In an early hole, the Roth Enterprises KPC Chassis entry started outside row four in heat competition and gained one spot and was forced to run the B-Main.
With the team still working to gel and understand each other each time on the track, Dollansky gained a few positions in the B-Main but ended up using a provisional to tag the back of the 30-lap feature. Starting deep in the pack of the main event, the Elk River, Minnesota native continued to get more comfortable in the HR Cattle sponsored sprinter improving as the A-Main progressed turning their best lap late in the race and finishing 18th.
“Friday we were just trying to get acclimated with the new team and get comfortable in the car, explained Craig. “I wasn't in the right spot on the track in qualifying and that put us in a hole. We had to use a provisional but got by some pretty decent cars and learned some things. It helped me get comfortable and confident with the car and prepare for Saturday.”
With Mother Nature threatening, the Saturday program got underway after a bit of a delay. Turning what was a strong lap for his draw in qualifying, Dollansky ended up slipping to 18th fastest missing the heat inversion by only a couple of positions. As it was, the Roth Motorsports #83 started inside row three in heat competition and finished 6th just missing a transfer position.
After starting on the pole of the B-Main and leading all 12-laps, the #83 team led by crew chief Sonny Kratzer made final preparations for the main event where ‘The Crowd Pleaser’ started outside row nine. After a caution in the early stages of the 30-lap A-Main, Dollansky gained a few positions on a track that was still very fast from the rain earlier in the day. Running sixteenth as the laps wound down, the Roth Enterprises entry gained a couple positions in the final circuits taking the checkered flag in 14th.
“I felt like we cut a pretty good qualifying lap on Saturday but we dropped out of the inversion,” commented Dollansky. “With all the rain they had it made it fairly difficult to pass, we made some headway but not like we had wanted but we just need to get qualified better which we’re working on.
Dennis and Teresa Roth have a first class operation here and give us the tools necessary so I’m looking forward to continue working with the team and getting stronger as we go.”
The Roth Motorsports #83 team will now travel to Lincoln Speedway as they continue working in the right direction hitting the track next with the World of Outlaws this Wednesday.
Article Credit: Reid VanEck - CDR Public Relations
Submitted By: Craig Dollansky Racing
