World of Outlaws @ Belleville High Banks 6-29-2012

After several days well into the hundred degree range, having it stay "only" in the 90s was a bit of a relief. The pits looked pretty full when I got to the track which was great to see. There were 24 cars for the Outlaw field and 16 for the URSS gang. Rick Salem told me two teams had turned around after having problems on the road. The weather probably kept a few more from coming as well. 

There was no real rush, but things still got moving about on time. The 305s ran their hot laps followed by the Outlaws who turned right around and ran qualifying. Craig Dollansky set quick time, and most of the WOO regulars were under the 15 second mark. 

Outlaw heat winners were Steve Kinser, Chad Kemenah, and Kerry Madsen and Sammy Swindell won the dash. The 305 heat winners were Brian Herbert and Luke Cranston.

After the dash, the decision was made to work the track, so the crowd had plenty of time to visit the concessions.

In the 305 feature, Luke Cranston pulled out to an early lead, but Brian Herbert started slowly reeling him in. Just as it looked like Herbert might be able to catch Cranston, a yellow came out. After the caution, Cranston pulled away again and cruised to the win.

Swindell started on pole for the feature with Dollansky on the outside. Sammy led the first 15 laps, but after starting before the cone a couple of times, he was moved back a row handing the lead to Kerry Madsen. After the last caution, Madsen was able to hold on for the win, his 2nd in three visits to the High Banks.

All in all, considering the extreme heat all week, this was a much better show than I thought it might be. And yes, it was FAST.

You can get full results (not to mention a better report) at the WOO website....

Complete Results

OK, I'll shut up and get to the pics.

It's kind of scary when the YOUNG guns are getting this gray. Joey Saldana.

I couldn't remember who was in this car so I asked the "crewman" in the red shirt who stood up & took off his shades. It was Wolfie.;)

Sammy

Kinser

When the drivers were asked to sign this poster for the High Banks Hall of Fame, Steve Kinser was one of the first to step up.

Shots from qualifying. Jordan Whitehead.

Craig Dollansky set quick time at 14.407

Robby Wolfgang

Cody Darrah

Lucas Wolfe

Bill Rose

Kraig Kinser

Tim Kaeding

Jeremy Campbell

Patrick Stasa

Steve Kinser

Mark Dobmeier

Donny Schatz

Schatz was one of several drivers who missed the exit. He turned around in the grass.

Zach Blurton

Jon Freeman

Brian Herbert

Sammy Swindell

Josh Hodges

Jason Schroeder

Joey Saldana

Ryan Bunton

Kerry Madsen

Chad Kemenah

Jeff Stasa

Melton Motors' sweet looking Vette pulls off at the start of the first 305 heat.

JD Johnson (99) and Lance Davis.

Ray Seemann (72) and John Webster.

Kinser; he's probably smiling at the camera under there.

Ryan Bunton (6) and Josh Hodges.

Tim Kaeding slowed while leading his heat.

Lucas Wolfe (5) and Cody Darrah.

Darrah & Wolfe.

Sammy and Darrah in the dash.

Joey Saldana (9) and Kraig Kinser.

The grader never did get this herd of 4 wheelers moved off the track.

Three wide to start the 305 feature. Luke Cranston (20), Tom Belsky (28), and Mike Saathoff.

Two seconds later they were FOUR wide! JD Johnson (99), Ray Seemann (72), Keefe Hemel (11), and Jeff Radcliffe.

Saathoff & Belsky

Tommy Lee Williams (29), Reed Bernbeck (74), and Mike Spear.

Cranston cruising. The plastic mud shield off that video camera was streaming out behind the car later.

Radcliffe & Belsky.

John Webster (9), Howard Van Dyke, and Tommy Williams (29).

Webster & Williams.

Seemann & Johnson.

Luke Cranston & his crew...........doing something!

Luke is no stranger to victory lane at Belleville.

While it looks like they're lining up for the parade lap, Kinser was actually flying by Kaeding & Dollansky here.

Now they ARE lining up.

Not the way Chad Kemenah wanted to start the A.

The salute to the fans.

Dollansky, K. Kinser, & Saldana.

Kinser & Madsen

Bunton & Kaeding

Early leader Swindell putting Josh Hodges a lap down.

Dollansky, Saldana, & Steve Kinser.

Bunton & Hodges

Kraig Kinser looks like he's running a non-wing car here.

A restart that got waved off when Swindell was called for jumping early.

The re-restart after the penalty.

Bunton & Hodges again.

Donny Schatz ran 6th.

Kerry Madsen wades through the confetti blizzard in victory lane.

Madsen shows off his trophy after winning the WOO feature.

WHAT?????? No trophy girl?

        

I just wanted to say thanks to Larry Hillerud for his help and a big thanks to the ladies at the pit shack for letting me take my car in so I didn't have to lug all my gear around!