February 10, 2000 (Barberville, FL) - Danny Lasoski of Dover, MO passed Paul McMahan on lap 16 and held on from there Thursday to win the opening night All Star Sprint Car event of Speedweeks 2000 at Volusia Speedway Park. Lasoski's Maxim chassis carried the colors of its new sponsor Home Depot to victory lane where Lasoski posed with NASCAR star Tony Stewart after the race. In the support race, Scott Orr from Columbia City, IN captured the UMP Modified feature.

Volusia Speedway Park (VSP) laid down a clay surface on the low banked, half mile track during the off season. Thursday night, the surface appeared to bein excellent shape. Lasoski set fast time in All Star time trials, clocking in at 13.633 seconds, 132 MPH. Twelve of thirty-six cars broke into the 13 second bracket. The All Stars helped to create a well defined top groove, ararity at VSP, which provided for two groove racing during the entire 15 race event.

Brian Ellenberger, Frankie Kerr, Kenny Jacobs, and Terry McCarl won All Star heat races. Greg Hodnett won the B-Main which helped to set up the 24 car field for the 20 lap A Main.

Lasoski started sixth in the feature. At the drop of the green flag, Lasoski worked up to third place behind front row starters Craig Dollansky and Paul McMahan. The only caution of the night flew when race leader Dollansky lost his left rear wheel in turn four. Dollansky rolled the car,but ended right side up. He was not injured in the crash.

On the restart, McMahan and Lasoski pulled away from the pack. McMahan stuck to the high groove while Lasoski worked the bottom groove. McMahan held back several attempts, but Lasoski powered under McMahan in turn 2 onthe 16th lap. Danny Lasoski help on from there to win $4,000 for first place. McMahan, James Chesson, Billy Pauch, and Joey Saldana rounded out the top five. The entire feature took 9 minutes and 20 seconds to complete, including the caution. After the race in victory lane, Lasoski's car started steaming. He probably had only a couple more laps left. Tony Stewart joined Lasoski in victory lane for photos.

Six heat races and two consolation races whittled almost 60 Modifieds down to the twenty-four car field for the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Modified 25 lap feature. Scott Orr jumped from his outside pole starting spot and ran away from the field. Three late race cautions allowed the competition to close, but Orr held back all attacks. Mike Smith, Dan Hamstra, Steve Eisenberg, and Chad Ogle rounded out the top five. The entire 25 lap feature had intense side by side racing action. The UMP Modifieds put on as good a show as the All Star Sprints.

Volusia Speedway Park will next be in action through next Saturday night, February 19 as Speedweeks 2000 continues. Last year, all the races at Speedweeks yielded only one repeat winner. Can either Lasoski or Orr accomplish that feat this year? This Friday night's show starts at 7:30w ith more UMP Modified and All Star Sprint action.

Volusia Speedway Park is located on State Road 40 in Barberville, FL, 15miles west of I-95. Call (904) 985-4402 or visit their web site at www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com for race information.

I would like to extend a special thanks to the All Star officials and the entire VSP staff for a great night of racing. I don't honestly believe you can say you have seen racing until you witness sprints on a fast half mile such as Volusia Speedway Park. It is truly unbelievable!

For Florida Stock Car Racing Online, I'm John Matthews

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