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First off, let me say in 1999 I brought the name of a driver to this board for the first time. I asked that you go watch him if you could and go up and meet him. He was from Washington state and I had watched him race and known him since he was 2 years old. I took a lot of "stuff" from everyone here because I was so adamant about his potential as a race car driver. Gradually, you all saw him race and met him and decided I just might know what I was talking about. I've been in racing for 62 years and I have seen a lot of young drivers, but that name I brought you had really something special. His name was/is: Kasey Kahne.
Now, after watching many more young drivers start out, I have finally seen another one with Kasey's potential. Maybe, even more so. So now, read this with all the above in mind, I don't get excited over just anyone, seen too many, but THIS one will be the "real deal", also.
I purposely did not bring this message to the board, nor get involved with the first message on this board about Luke because I wanted to wait till he had a few races in the book. I wanted to be sure of what I was witnessing, I am very sure now, so please read on:
Friday, June 13th 2008, will be a day that will be remembered forever by Craig Dollansky and his son, Lucas "Luke" Dollansky.
World of Outlaw's star, Craig Dollansky was strapping in to run yet another A Main at Husets Speedway in Brandon, SD. While, 1690.45 miles away, at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA, his son Luke, 16 years old, was strapping in for his first ever qualifying laps. Craig went on the that night to win yet again another World of Outlaws A Main. Luke went on to launch, what will be a very successful career that night. A very memorable day to say the least!
Luke had only a few laps in his Dad's sprint car, but not many. Craig wanted Luke to learn the "business" of racing from the ground up, taking apart a car, putting it together, why make changes and what they will do to the car, learn what a car will do and learn to communicate what is going on with the car and help to make the decisions of what the car needs changed with a Crew Chief. So, Luke was sent to the West Coast to work with Rod Fauver and Jimmy Sills. Rod, at one time was Craig's Crew Chief and still goes to Australia as Crew Chief with Craig every year. Jimmy Sills, well, we all know he is the "Proffesor" of racing one of the best!
Luke arrived in Chico on June 11th. The next day June 12th, he was at Marysville Speedway with Rod and Jimmy and they ran the heck out of him on the small dirt track! Almost 100 practice laps. They were amazed at what the young man was doing out on the track. With virtually no previous laps in a sprint car, a 410 no the less, he showed so much poise, car control and instinct to drive a race car they had to step up their "game plan" with him! They had no idea how fast he would advance. He takes direction and goes on the track and does it, it just comes natural to him.
So, his 3rd day here, June 13th, he was at Silver Dollar Speedway qualifying a 410 sprint car! He transferred out of his heat race and qualified to run in the A Main! He started in the back and showed no intimidation with traffic. The leaders, right toward the end of the race, lapped him and he stayed right with them and raced the last five laps with them! Our regular car, with track champ, Sean Becker was running in 3rd and he couldn't drive by Luke and ended in 3rd place still behind Luke at the checkered! As Sean said, Luke was fast running his line, not blocking and he just couldn't catch him to pass!
His next race was at Quincy, CA after about another 80 or so laps in Marysville with Rod and Jimmy. Again, he transferred directly to the A Main out of his heat race. He started on the pole for the A Main. He was running second for 19 laps when something broke in the rear end of the car. He was right there with the leader the whole time until the break. This is documented on UTube in a video clip because it was so unusual for a "rookie" to be racing this way!
Last night was his third race. He had about another 80 laps at Marysville practicing on Thursday night. He was at Petaluma, CA. He qualified 2nd, transferred from his heat race again to the A Main. During the race he had another car cut down on him and across the nose of the car. Not sure what his finish spot was. But, he just continues to get better and better with more laps! No one can believe he is a rookie, Luke has NEVER raced in any form, he usually plays hockey!
This kid is very much worth watching and remembering his name. Growing up around racing seems to embed the right driving instincts in kid's like him, Kasey Kahne and even Dale Jr. It is amazing what they absorb during the years before they start driving.
Luke is a very likable guy, outgoing, smiles all the time, intelligent and the racing instincts he has are incredible. He has dodged accidents he SHOULD have been in, spun the car twice and was able to keep it going! He is the "All American Boy" the kind all Mother's and Father's dream of. He is the total package, there is nothing this kid will not be able to do. He has the goal, the drive, the intelligence and you have to remember he is only going into the 11th grade in Hight School and is 16 years old! I KNOW in my heart and mind Luke will make it big in racing in whatever kind of race car he decides to race.
Is he a chip off the old block of Craig? YOU BET HE IS! When he gets the helmet on and looks at you with the same laser focus, blue eye's piercing "ready to go" look as is on his father's face before a race, you would almost believe it was Craig.
Mark my words, just as I said Kasey would, Luke will have a great career. With all these new "Driver Development" programs out there right now, Luke needs to be watched and picked up for one of them he won't disappoint anyone.
God Speed, Luke Dollansky, you will be a WINNER!
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