Danny in action earlier this season at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania – Rick Rarer Photo
From early April until the cold start of November, Danny Holtgraver and the entire D4 operation spent their longs days and late nights on the road and at the track. The 2011 season was comprised of more than 50 starts for the Pittsburgh based 410 sprint car program; which included track appearances in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Canada. When the dust settled in early November on the outskirts of Charlotte, North Carolina; Holtgraver had tallied 4 wins, almost 20 top 5’s, and a nearly 30 top 10 place finishes. The season was most definitely a success.
Pictured above representing his ‘Knoxville Nationals’ paint scheme, Danny Holtgraver competed on various occasions at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania during 2011; including the 49th annual National Open – Rick Rarer Photo
After capturing a track championship at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania last season, Holtgraver and his family owned D4 team decided to venture away from the Western Pennsylvania scene, and develop a new taste for racing on the road. His goal in 2011 was to compete regionally with the All-Star Circuit of Champions – and race full time in their newly developed ‘Ohio Region’ program. Their decision proved to be wise, as Holtgraver earned a 4th place finish in the 2011 All-Star Circuit of Champions Ohio Region standings, and a 7th place finish in the overall national points chase.
A third place finish in the overall Ohio Sprint Speedweek points system would help set the tone for most of the summer; which also included a trip to the Knoxville Nationals and the World Finals at Charlotte. Holtgraver’s rookie Knoxville appearance proved to not only be exhilarating, but educating; as he would step up from a disappointing qualifying time to earn a C-main starting spot in the Saturday night, televised finale.
The Kistler powered J&J Chassis also tallied two back-to-back quick time awards with the All-Stars in 2011; which came at Attica (OH) and Butler (MI) in early September.
Danny and crew pictured in victory lane at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania; one of four victories for the team in 2011 – Fully Injected Photo
The Spinneweber Auto Sales primary sponsored machine entered victory lane four times in 2011; claiming winner’s checks at Lernerville Speedway, Dog Hollow Speedway, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, and Mercer Raceway Park. Interestingly enough, perhaps Holtgraver’s biggest win of the season, and maybe of his career, came at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in early November; where he dominated his respective World of Outlaws, ‘World Finals,’ heat race, in front of a live SPEED Channel audience.
“We are very happy with our season…” explained Danny when discussing 2011. “Had a lot of success and had an opportunity to visit a lot of new tracks and learn quite a bit.”
When asking about next season, Danny simply replied: “Really looking forward to next season…nothing for certain yet but anxious to get back in the office!”
Danny Holtgraver and the entire D4 operation would like to give a special thanks to all of their sponsors:
Spinneweber Auto Sales
PPI
Bastin Track Parts
Zero Wraps
West View Motors
Bagleys Auto Service
Frankland Rearends
Dan Taylor Racing
VRP Shocks
Kistler Engines
J&J Chassis
Alternative Power Sources
Kargo Sales and Storage
Fully Injected/www.fullyinjected.com
“We will get it done again next season!”
Stay tuned….
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Keep up with the entire team all winter long – right here at www.fullyinjected.com!