Holtgraver Looks To Win ‘All-Star’ Event Close To Home!
By Tracy Fry
www.fullyinjected.com
After a full weekend on the road with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at Eldora Speedway, Danny Holtgraver is set to race close to home this Friday and Saturday, and looks to secure his first win with the All-Star Circuit of Champions. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native spent May 4th and 5th in Rossburg, Ohio competing with the World of Outlaws at the world famous Eldora Speedway. The former Lernerville Speedway Track Champion qualified for the main event on both nights; earning the right to race with the ‘Greatest Show on Dirt’ at one of the world’s fastest half miles. While Holtgraver’s results did not reflect what the 22-year-old had hoped for, the Western Pennsylvania hotshoe did earn a starting spot in each A-main without having to race in a Last Chance Showdown.
“Eldora is a really great place to race and a lot of fun, too” explained Holtgraver about his weekend in Ohio with the World of Outlaws, “We had some issues with our motor on Friday during the feature and some problems during the last restart on Saturday night…but as a whole, it was a great weekend and we learned alot.”
On Friday evening, Holtgraver timed 24th quick out of the 33 entries. The Kargo Quality Cars and Trucks ‘D4’ would race it’s way into a transfer spot during heat race no. 4, and cross the start/finish line 5th. The 5th place finish would secure an A-main starting spot on Friday night, but engine cooling problems during the 30 lap/$10,000-to-win A-main would force Holtgraver to settle for a 22nd place finish. The recent runner-up at the Weikert Memorial pulled off the track before the event was completed. Chad Kemenah took home the $10,000 pay day.
Saturday evening’s results with the World of Outlaws would give Holtgraver a larger sense of satisfaction. The ‘D4’ qualified 10th out of the 36 cars that were signed in. The 10th fastest time of night allowed Holtgraver to make the heat race inversion. A 5th place finish in the heat race would secure a World of Outlaws A-main start for the second consecutive evening at Eldora Speedway. Holtgraver would finish 20th in the 30 lap/$10,000-to-win A-main. Sammy Swindell would earn the victory, as he continues to chase his fourth World of Outlaws championship.
“We were running close to the top 12 on Saturday night until that last restart” said Holtgraver about Saturday night’s feature performance, “I just couldn’t get the car going and we lost a bunch of spots…we are still learning…anytime you get a chance to race with those guys, you are going to learn something…it was a great experience”
This Friday and Saturday, May 11th and 12th, the Kargo Quality Cars/Alternative Power Sources ‘D4’ operation will stay close to home while trying to secure their first All-Star Circuit of Champions victory in front of some familiar faces and fans. Holtgraver will race at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania this Friday night, May 11th. The regular ‘Fab Four’ program is something that Holtgraver is very familiar with; as he would claim a track championship at the Sarver oval back in 2010. Holtgraver earned a runner-up finish at the facility during their ‘opening night’ a few weeks back.
The All-Star Circuit of Champions will be making a scheduled stop at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 12th. Holtgraver is a full-time competitor with the ‘Ohio Region’ portion of the All-Star national schedule, and with Mercer being sanctioned as an ‘Ohio Region’ event, it gives the ‘D4’ pilot an even larger sense of anticipation. With years of experience at the Mercer 3/8’s mile oval, and victory lane appearances to his credit, Holtgraver definitely has an edge over the competition. Holtgraver currently sits 5th in the All-Star Circuit of Champions ‘Ohio Region’ standings; less than seventy (70) markers from the top spot.
Check out www.lernerville.com/ or www.mercerracewaypark.com for more information on these two upcoming events!
Danny Holtgraver would like to thank all of his marketing partners including: Kargo Sales and Storage, Alternative Power Source, DKW Transport, PPI, Spinneweber Auto Sales, Bastin Truck Parts, West View Motors, Bagleys Auto Service, Frankland Rearends, Dan Taylor Racing, VRP Shocks, Kistler Engines, J&J Chassis, Butlerbuilt Seats, Zerowraps, www.fullyinjected.com.
Stay tuned during the entire season – right here at www.fullyinjected.com / or check out Danny Holtgraver’s online home at www.dannyholtgraver.com!