Craig Dollansky forms new team

Craig Dollansky Forms Racing Team By Richard Day ELK RIVER, MN (February 2) - When Jim Wahlie retired from the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series to spread the word of God in early January, Craig Dollansky's future looked rather dim. Since then, however, Dollansky has been on a mission of his own and has put together his own team for the 1998 season. "I turned down a couple of rides because I thought I'd be racing with Jim," said Dollansky, who drove Wahlie's #1W Conn West Maxim during the second half of last season. "Things are coming together really well." Dollansky and crew chief Mike Botzek, a former sprint car owner in the Midwest, are putting together red and yellow Gambler cars powered by Kriner Engines. Craig's #1x sprinter will be sponsored by Polydome, a worldwide distributor of calf huts. Dollansky, the 1997 King of the Hill Series champion, will be racing with Dale Blaney, Garry Brazier and Tyler Walker for World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year honors this season. "We intend to run the whole season," Craig said. "I have good people working with me, and I'm really looking forward to it." Dollansky was selected Knoxville Raceway's Most Improved Driver in 1994 when he finished fifth in the track's weekly racing program. He finished third in the Knoxville point standings the next year. Dollansky was the All-Stars Circuit of Champions' Rookie of the Year in 1996 when he finished seventh in the points race. He finished third in the Amoco Knoxville Nationals later that year. Last year, Craig finished second in the Second Preliminary Feature at the Amoco Knoxville Nationals and seventh in the championship feature. He also finished fifth in the Inaugural Iowa Ethanol Classic at Knoxville Raceway in July. Dollansky earned the first Channellock Fast-Time Award of his career in the World of Outlaws' season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in November. WoO