Camargo, IL (2-20-06) by Bryan Autullo – In a continuing effort to increase the number of events on the 2006 racing schedule, the All Star Circuit of Champions have added three more co-sanctioned dates with the World of Outlaws series.  This new relationship with the Outlaws is a combined effort to provide an even better show for the fans with increased car counts and even more big name talent being provided by the All Stars.  At the same time it allows the All Stars the opportunity to increase the number of higher paying events on the schedule and will help the All Star drivers to gain television exposure through the Outdoor Channel broadcasts.  Never before has there been a concerted effort to bring these two series together for one ticket price to do battle head to head and provide added entertainment for the ticket buying public.  These events are full points shows for All Star members and could shake things up in the point standings as the season progresses. 

The first event to be added is Wednesday June 14^th at The Raceway at PowerCom Park in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Powercom Park is a high-banked, 1/3-mile oval. Daryn Pittman established the track record of 11.275 seconds on July 10, 2001. From there, the All Stars travel West to a two day show at Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND on June 16^th and 17th. Red River Valley Speedway is a high-banked half-mile oval. Craig Dollansky set the single lap record of 14.786 seconds on July 4, 2002.

Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL) – 2-12-06  On an unseasonably cold night at Volusia Speedway Park, the All Star Circuit of Champions WinterNationals saw 6 cars locked into the A-main for the $10,000 finale.  Chad Kemenah, Jason Solwold, Danny Lasoski, Terry McCarl, Joey Saldana, and Craig Dollansky were the Top 6 in WinterNationals points after two nights of racing on February 7 and 8.  The February 11^th show was cancelled due to heavy rains that fell over most of Northern Florida.  Danny Lasoski took the checkers in the first night of All Star action in 2006.  Donny Schatz picked up his first All Star win on night #2.

On the final night of Florida action, only 29 cars were signed into the pits as some teams had to head out to make their way back home after a long week of racing.  The heat races were won by Greg Hodnett, Jeff Shepard, and Shane Stewart with the Top 4 from each heat transferring to the A-main.

     On night #2 of the 35^th Annual WinterNationals at Volusia Speedway Park, 37 cars signed into the pits with the All Star Circuit of Champions. With Jac Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, and Brooke Tatnell joining the talent already present at the Volusia County Speedway, making the 24 car starting field would again prove to be a tall order. Greg Hodnett would get the night started by setting quick time in qualifying, and backed that up with a run to the front to win the first heat race. The other three heats were won by Bob Felmlee, Donny Schatz, and Jeff Shepard. The Al Hamilton owned #77 again showed they would be the team to beat as Hodnett took the All Star dash. For the second straight night Brock Mayes led the B feature to the checkers.

     New track record holder Chad Kemenah and night one’s hard charger Joey Saldana would lead the 24 car starting field to the green. The duo would battle side by side for the first five laps with Kemenah running the bottom line and Saldana running the same top groove that proved so effective the night before. A lap 6 spin by Lance Dewease would bring Donny Schatz into the fold. When the green fell for the restart, Schatz was too much for Saldana to hold off. A caution for Daryn Pittman’s motor expiring on a lap 11 would set up an exciting duel to the finish between early race leader Kemenah and the hard charging Schatz. With the two encountering lapped traffic, Kemenah was forced to move the #15K off the bottom groove where he had been so fast, and as Schatz searched the track for a faster line the gap between them quickly closed. As the laps wound down Schatz was able to work the higher line around Kemenah and hang on for his first career All Star Circuit of Champions victory.

It was an unseasonably cold evening in Volusia County, but the track was extremely fast.  In qualifying, four time ASCoC champion Chad Kemenah lowered the Volusia County Speedway track record previously held by Danny Lasoski. Heat races were won by Bob Felmlee, Danny Smith, Joey Saldana, and Becca Anderson. The All Star dash was won by Greg Wilson, who held off a late charge by Greg Hodnett at the line. Brock Mayes picked up the B feature victory.

In the A-main, Greg Hodnett and Danny Lasoski led the 24 car starting field to the green. An early race duel between the two was negated when Hodnett’s front wing supports gave way less the half way through the 25 lap feature. From there Lasoski pulled away from the rest of the field until a hard charging Craig Dollansky was able to track down “The Dude” as the leaders reached lap traffic. A late race caution for Shane Stewart put Dollansky nose to tail with Lasoski in a 2 lap shoot-out for the checkers. Using all his experience Lasoski got a great restart at the green, which proved to be too much for “The Crowd Pleaser” to overcome. Doing some crowd pleasing of his own, Joey Saldana completed an amazing run from the 13^th starting spot with a turn 4 pass of Lance Dewease to finish 3rd. Rounding out the top 5 was Jason Solwold.

CAMARGO, IL – After much anticipation, the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car series has released the schedule for the 2006 racing season. Many exciting events will be introduced as a part of the 2006 campaign.  The goal for 2006 has been to maintain stability in the All Star series and in 410 sprint car racing in general.  For the past 3 decades, there have two premier touring 410 sprint cars series.  The addition of a third touring series in 2006 has not affected the operations of the All Stars in any way.  In fact, the All Stars will have more $10,000 to win races than ever before and will once again pay a points fund of nearly $175,000 with an additional $60,000 in contingency awards.  Only one 410 sprint car organization pays more in cash and prizes than the All Stars.  

Newly formed relationships with the XPLEX Extreme Competition Park and the Westwood Development Group have revitalized the All Stars organization and will bring new concepts in racing entertainment into the 2006 season and beyond.  Events are being planned to give the ticket buying fans more than just a race.  The All Stars plan to bring entertainment value to the forefront with special events and promotional exhibitions for one ticket price.  Other exciting events and promotions are being planned that will be implemented into the racing program itself that will make things more interesting for the fans and drivers alike.

The All Stars would like to welcome as their new announcer, long time sprint car media member, Dana Blair, of Wooster, Ohio.  Dana comes to the series with nine years experience as an on track and booth announcer.  In addition to his broadcast background, he is also a member of the print and internet media with his long standing coverage of sprint cars and the All Star series.  Blair has also hosted his own racing radio show and has been involved in many other aspects of the sport.

Long time series announcer, Rob Klepper, has left to pursue a television broadcast opportunity with another organization.  The All Stars would like to thank Rob for his efforts and wish him the best in his new endeavor.

CAMARGO, IL –  (by Bryan Autullo) In preparation for the 2006 racing season, All Star Competition Director, Randy Fink, has announced several rule changes that will not only help to improve the racing program, but are also intended to promote a more fan-friendly event.

Some of the minor rule changes are related to body panels, nose wing positions, and ignition box location.  The changes can be found on the All Star web site at www.allstarsprint.com or in the 2006 printed rule books, which will be available at the first race at Volusia. Two of the biggest changes are in regards to provisional starting positions and red flag fuel stops.

by Bryan Autullo

CAMARGO, IL – The All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars will invade Florida in February with four events at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville (Daytona), FL.  This will be the 35th Annual WinterNationals, an event that always kicks off the new season in the Sunshine State while the snow is still falling in other areas of the U.S.

The All Star portion of the WinterNationals at Volusia Speedway Park will run on Tuesday February 7, Wednesday February 8, Saturday February 11, and Sunday February 12.  The World of Outlaws series will also be racing at Volusia on Thursday February 9 and Friday February 10.  Also on the racing card will be the USCS 360 sprints on February 7th and the UMP open-wheel modified series on February 7th through February 12th.

A full program of time trials, heat races, consolation, and feature events will be held each night. Each of the first three All Star events pay $5,000 to win and the final night will pay $10,000 to the feature winner.  For information regarding schedule, tickets, and directions for Volusia Speedway Park, visit their web site at www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com .  Call 386-985-4402 for reserved tickets.

By Bryan Autullo

Chad Kemenah, winner of 8 All Star features in 2005 and recipient of the Huggins Cams Fast Time award for setting the most top qualifying times throughout the season, was crowned Champion of the All Star Circuit of Champions for the 4^th consecutive year.  Chad made the announcement that he will return to the All Stars in 2006 and make a run at his 5^th points title.  “I’d like to thank Guy Webb for everything he’s done since he’s been here,” said Kemenah.  “I’m looking forward to bigger and better things, as Guy would put it.”  He continued, “I’d also like to thank all the other competitors, my brother, and Kevin & Scott for giving me a great race car.  I want to thank my wife, Tracy – she has a lot do deal with sometimes.”  He continued, “I want to thank Jim Harble for this opportunity and John Bores and UUI – without them this wouldn’t be possible”.

Guy Webb started off the evening with the announcement that the All Stars will start off the 2006 season at Volusia County Speedway in Barberville, FL (Daytona) on Feb. 7^th.  The All Stars will have four dates at Volusia sandwiched around two World of Outlaw dates.  The All Stars will race Feb. 7, 8, 11, and 12.  For more information, visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com .  Dean Miracle has taken over as promoter at Volusia and many improvements have been made to the facility.  “This will hopefully start building back our presence in Florida,” said Webb.  “We’ll also have family packs of tickets available, and another neat thing will be a $10,000 to win 360 race on Feb. 7^th with the USCS series.”