Camargo, IL (10-7-09) – By Kelly Brown –Public Relations Director – With the 2009 season freshly etched into the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions record book it is time to start reflecting on a season that got a blazing start in the “Sunshine” State. For 2009 series champion Tim Shaffer the 26th edition of Florida Winter Nationals is where his title run began with a victory in Ocala Speedway. It was the first time in All Star Series history that the eventual champion won the first event of the season.

2009 Winter Nationals

After losing the first night of Winter Nationals to rain, the drivers of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions were ready to blister the track at Ocala Speedway. Eventual winner Tim Shaffer had a consistent night and it seemed as if he was lurking from the drop of the Green Flag, waiting for his chance to sneak his way into the top position.  He began the main event on the front row beside Greg Wilson and the two waged quite a battle throughout the evening. On the start Wilson, who started in the pole took the lead and retained the top position until the first caution came out for Danny Lasoski’s 33 car. Lasoski who was the fastest qualifier was quick, but his motor gave out just five laps into the event. Wilson would lead through a couple of restarts, but Shaffer was inching closer and closer to the bumper of Wilson. When Wilson got tight in Turn 4, Shaffer jumped at the opportunity slipping past Wilson into the lead. The duo spent the remaining laps of the race in a tight battle, but once Shaffer got ahead he did not look back.

On the second night of racing action at Ocala from the time the Green Flag fell on the main event, Terry McCarl was a man on a mission. After starting in the top spot, he got past Danny Lasoski in Turn 1 to take the lead and Lance Dewease slid his way into second. Behind McCarl the battle waged on as second, third and fourth position was hot property. Dewease, Danny Lasoski, and quick time setter Greg Hodnett put on quite a show trading positions what seemed almost every lap. The final five laps of the event were chaotic as second through fifth was constantly changing. When the Checkered Flag flew and the dust settled McCarl claimed the victory. Behind him it was a drag race, but Danny Lasoski took second with Smith, Dewease, and Hodnett rounding out the top-five.

The third night of Winter Nationals would see the All Stars make their move to Volusia Speedway. The night would begin as a pair of Yellow Flag flew. The second one was most notable as Steve Kinser and his son Kraig Kinser touched wheels going into Turn 2. Trying to avoid the incident Donny Schatz attempted to take evasive action, but instead made contact with the 3c of Craig Conley. The incident caused Conley to roll end-over-end, and left Schatz at a halt at the exit of Turn 2. After a stop in the work area, Schatz joined the field at the tail end. Some may have thought Schatz’s night was over, but he showed he knows how to overcome adversity. Around the midpoint of the race Schatz began to make his presence known as he moved his way back into the top-ten. Lap-after-lap he began to pick off another position one-by-one, until he got around Cody Darrah to make it into the top-five. Schatz was clearly the fastest car on the track and he kept ascending in the running order moving up to fourth, third, and finally around Swindell to take the runner-up spot. Schatz quickly closed in on leader Stevie Smith, and they ran nose-to-tail for a few laps with Schatz sizing up Smith each lap finding the best way to get around him to take the top spot. With three laps to go Schatz made his move and zoomed around Smith. Smith hung on and tried to battle back, but in the end Schatz proved to be too strong, taking the Checkered Flag.

On night two at Volusia Speedway Schatz was gunning for two wins in a row. On the drop of the Green Flag, Schatz was a man on a mission taking the lead going into the first turn with Joey Saldana on his heels. Behind them a battle for third waged on as Jason Sides, Greg Wilson and Tim Kaeding got three wide at one point for the position. There were a few times where lapped traffic brought Saldana’s 9 car close to the bumper of Schatz’s 15, but Saldana could not get by. This allowed Sides to close on Saldana, but he held Sides’ advances off. The race ended with a green-white-checker finish. When the field saw the Green Flag unfurled for the final time, Schatz once again beat Saldana into the first turn and took off never looking back. When the checkers fell it was Schatz who took them first, followed by: Saldana, Sides, Pittman and Kinser.

On the last night of Winter Nationals Schatz was going for three in a row, but it was not to be. Starting from the pole position, Stevie Smith grabbed the lead going into turn one when the Green Flag was unfurled. In close pursuit were Craig Dollansky and Kraig Kinser. On the final restart with only nine laps to go, Smith and Dollansky stuck to their favored lines. The result was a side-by-side scuffle that saw Dollansky retake the lead on Lap 22. Behind the leaders Meyers was closely following Saldana, but time was running out. When the White Flag soared over the field, Smith knew it was his last chance for victory. In Turn 2 he made his move and slid under Dollansky to recapture the lead. With the Checkered Flag fluttering in the air, Smith was the first to cross the finish line; he was followed by: Dollansky, Saldana, Meyers and Steve Kinser.

Attica in April 

April showers would plague the first night of racing at Attica Raceway Park, but night two would be one of the most exciting nights of racing action in 2009.  On the drop of the green flag pole winner Rob Chaney and Tim Shaffer went into to Turn 1 side-by-side. By the time the duo had reached the back stretch Shaffer had nosed his way into the lead, with Greg Wilson moving into second. The yellow banner would fly for the first time after the opening lap was scored when Craig Conley tangled with Craig Mintz in Turn 4. On the restart Shaffer retained the lead with Wilson, Chaney, Chad Kemenah, and Kasey Kahne in close pursuit. On lap 16 Dale Blaney made his presence known as he made his first appearance in the top-five. As Shaffer encountered lapped traffic the lead the “Steel City Outlaw” had built quickly dwindled. Behind him Blaney was quickly moving up in the running order, taking the fourth position by the time the 20th lap was in the books. It only took Blaney five more laps to take third away from Kemenah. Blaney would take second a few laps later when he put a slide job on Greg Wilson in the second turn. At that point Blaney settled into Shaffer’s tire tracks sizing him up in each turn. With the white flag waving coming out of Turn 4, Blaney finally muscled his way past Shaffer to take the lead. Blaney would capture the win with Shaffer, Wilson, Kemenah and Lee Jacobs rounding out the top-five.

What would happen during May to the All Stars? How would they fare in May against the famous PA Posse? Stay tuned as the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions look back on another fast and furious season of racing action. For the most up to date information on the All Star Circuit of Champions, bookmark www.allstarsprint.com on your computer.