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Smith Last Lap ASCOC Victor At Volusia

Barberville, FL – Stevie Smith roared past Craig Dollansky on the last lap to win the third and final All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car race on Thursday at Volusia Speedway Park. The race was part of the 12-night Alltel DIRTcar Nationals on the rapid half-mile dirt oval.

A small but hearty crowd braved Florida’s freezing temperatures to witness the hotly contested race program.

Smith started from the pole and was immediately dogged by Craig Dollansky, who led on twice, only to be passed by the eventual winner on the 30th and final lap.

“Craig (Dollansky) showed me the line and I took one of his corners away, keeping it for myself,” Smith said excitedly in victory lane. “I went into his groove where he was faster. My car was handling really well, and it gave me the opportunity to get back there and race with him.”

The winner drove the Zemco entry.

Dollansky and teammate Joey Saldana, driving a pair of Kasey Kahne owned cars, finished second and third.

“The track got rubbered down in (turns) 1 and 2 and that’s where Stevie was able to eat me up,” Dollansky said. “I was faster than he was in 3 and 4, and I tried to keep my car straight, but I came up one position short.”

Said Saldana, “We just came up a little short.”

Jason Meyers took fourth place with sprint-car superstar Steve Kinser in fifth.

Sixth through tenth were Daryn Pittman, Greg Hodnett, Cody Darrah, Chad Kemenah and Jac Haudenschild.

Of the 44 cars on hand, Smith took qualification honors with a lap of 13.174 seconds.

Heat wins went to Sammy Swindell, Tim Shaffer, Jac Haudenchild and Chad Kemenah. The dash went to Smith and Pittman won the consolation race.

Donnie Schatz’s quest for his third victory in three tries ended during the consolation race when he pulled in while running second.

The World of Outlaw sprint cars open their 2009 season at Volusia Friday evening.

Young Austin Dillon, grandson of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner Richard Childress, won the UMP DIRTcar modified race, passing the veteran Ken Schrader with four laps remaining in the 20-lap event.

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