7/19/2017
RacinBoys
Andrew Kosiski eager for Silver Dollar Nationals
By Trenton Berry (Greenwood, NE) -- All eyes in Dirt Late Model racing will be squarely focused on I-80 Speedway this weekend for the running of the 7th Annual Imperial Tile Silver Dollar Nationals. Saturday's 80 lap feature will pay a record $53,000 to win. The winners take is the third largest in the country.
Built from simply an idea, the race has steadily seen purse improvements from its $25,000 to win inception. Former winners include Don O'Neal, Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy Owens, Scott Bloomquist (twice) and Jonathan Davenport.
This weekend the Lucas Oil MLRA again teams with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for the final time this season.
Currently, defending series champion Jesse Stovall leads the points, with Terry Phillips 40 markers back in second. Tony Jackson Jr, Rodney Sanders and Randy Timms sit third through fifth respectively. JC Wyman, Brantlee Gotschall, Jeremy Grady, Payton Looney and Raymond Merrill fill out the top ten drivers in points.
One driver who has been on the MLRA tour full time in the past and has a special connection to this weekend is 26 year old Andrew Kosiski, son of Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Joe Kosiski. The family owns and operates I-80 Speedway and founded the Silver Dollar Nationals.
Kosiski has been feeling out a brand new Rocket XR1 this year. He has made the occasional Super Late Model start, even qualifying for two of the four features in Arizona this past January, but the bulk of his work has come on the Malvern Bank Late Model Tour, and weekly starts at both I-80 and Adams County Speedway's.
"We've had our ups and downs this year with this new car," commented Kosiski. "It's kind of hard to tell where we're at because this year the competition has been so much stronger around here, than the past few years. We're averaging 30 cars every night. We're also in the top 10 in all the points chases, but just haven't been able to break through for that first win of the year yet."
The neat thing for Kosiski is he will be able to run Thursday's program, and then remove his Pro Power Engine's restrictor plate and some weight in the front of the car and have his Super Late Model combination ready to hot lap. All told he anticipates a 15 minute turn around.
"This is by far my favorite weekend of the season," he further elaborated. "There is just so much going on, which fans most likely don't realize, to get ready for an event of this magnitude. Our family and staff have been working non-stop to pull this off, and of course we all want it all to be absolutely perfect!"
With the increase in purse, more cars than ever are expected for both the Late Models and Modifieds. One of the things unique to this event is the double heat race Friday format. It is a format brought to dirt racing by the Kosiski's.
"We get a lot of fan feedback that Friday night is their favorite night of the entire event. They love the double heats and the racing it provides. It really brings the best drivers to the forefront. I don't think there is a better format in dirt racing."
Kosiski is honest when he says he would be happy to just make the show. Doing so would be quite a feat, when the Belt Bash Non-Qualifiers race will be chalk full of race winners and various former champions.
"I did get a little spoiled last year," he confessed. "I was in the feature on an SLMR provisional and we knew it going into the event. This year, we're not in the same position. I really loved running the entire distance last year and am hoping we can have a little luck and get back in the show. It definitely raised my own level of expectation."
Most of all Andrew hoped for another huge turnout of fans and a great weekend of racing for everybody.
If you cannot attend in person http://www.DirtOnDirt.com will have it all live on PPV.
Since the event's inception the USMTS has been part of the show as a co-headliner. This season the country's top Dirt Modified series will race the same format as the Late Models, running for an event record $10,000 top prize.
Action begins Thursday with the Prelude to the Silver Dollar Nationals, featuring the Malvern Bank Super Late Models, Nebraska 360 Sprint Cars, B-Mods and practice for the Lucas Oil / MLRA Late Models and USMTS Modifieds. Thursday tickets for adults are $18.
There will also be live music in the pits, Friday, following the races and all fans are welcome to attend. Saturday has pre-race entertainment scheduled as well.
The Lucas Oil MLRA would like to thank the following event partners for their support; Al Belt Custom Homes, Imperial Tile, Strobel Manufacturing, Malvern Bank, Cubby's Convenience Store, Moock Trucking and Wojo Painting.
I-80 Speedway Information July 21-22
Gates: (Friday) 4:30 PM, (Saturday) 4:30 PM
Racing: (Friday) Hot laps 7:00 PM, Racing 7:30 PM, (Saturday) Hot Laps 7:00 PM, Racing 7:30 PM
Admission: (Friday) Adults GA $33, Kids (6-12) GA $10, Kids (5 and under) FREE, (Saturday) Adults $38, Kids (6-12) $10, Kids (5 and under) FREE
Classes: Lucas Oil / MLRA Late Models (53,000 to Win) and USMTS Modifieds ($10,000 to Win)
Website: http://www.I-80Speedway.com
For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at http://www.MLRARacing.com.
Fans may also "like" the Lucas Oil MLRA Facebook page by clicking http://www.Facebook.com/lucasoilmlra or follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MLRA.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
