by Jeremy Troiano
CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 13, 2002) – It may not have been his dream season, and it was sure full of many ups and downs, but Danny “The Dude” Lasoski and the #20 J.D. Byrider/Tony Stewart Motorsports made it one nobody will ever forget. Lasoski finished this season last weekend in Las Vegas by securing second place in the final Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series standings, but the biggest news didn’t happen on the track.
Rather, it was the announcement that Lasoski and team owner Tony Stewart will switch to Mopar engines for the 2003 WoO season and that Home Depot will join J.D. Byrider as a primary sponsor with the team.
“I think it is a match made in heaven,” said Lasoski, the 2001 WoO Champion. “What better way to go for that second championship than by using Mopar engines. They are really stepping up their program with the World of Outlaws and I am really happy to be a part of it. We are already getting some engines and getting them ready for the season opener, which is only a few months away. I think it is the right move, and I am pumped already for next year to get here.”
The engines will still be built by Kistler Engines, who has supplied Danny with his power plants for the last several seasons. The engines are reportedly turning 10 more horsepower than his current powerplants.
Lasoski and Stewart also announced that they will team up with Home Depot, which is the primary sponsor on Stewart’s NASCAR Winston Cup car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Home Depot will join J.D. Byrider as the lead sponsors on the #20 sprinter and will join Massey Motorsports, Eagle Chassis, Kistler and Hoosier Tires to help Lasoski to the 2003 championship.
“Tony has really helped get Home Depot more involved with this team and I think they are going to be very surprised,” said Lasoski. “Tony has already done so much for me and now he brings Home Depot over to this team. I think the great folks at Home Depot will enjoy being involved with the Outlaws because these are the people they are looking to attract to their stores. It will also be awesome saying how great the J.D. Byrider/Home Depot/Tony Stewart Motorsports car was running on the way to the 2003 championship.”
Lasoski wrapped up the 2002 season with two tough nights in Las Vegas. He finished 6th during the preliminary event and 12th in the season’s last “A” feature. It was enough for Lasoski to clinch second in the season point’s battle, 334 points behind champion Steve Kinser. Lasoski missed four races due to an injury suffered earlier in the year at Williams Grove Speedway (PA).
Lasoski finished the season with a career high in “A” feature victories (13), top-fives (42), laps led (382), fast-qualifying times (13) and O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash wins (18). He finished the season with 52 top-10 finishes, four preliminary night feature wins and $395,805 in prize money. All those top his stats of the 2001 championship year.
Thanks to the substitute driving of Johnny Herrera while Lasoski was injured, the team finished second in the Car Owner standings, less than 150 points behind Kinser.
Fans can always see the most up-to-date information on “The Dude” at www.dannylasoski.com.
CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 13, 2002) – It may not have been his dream season, and it was sure full of many ups and downs, but Danny “The Dude” Lasoski and the #20 J.D. Byrider/Tony Stewart Motorsports made it one nobody will ever forget. Lasoski finished this season last weekend in Las Vegas by securing second place in the final Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series standings, but the biggest news didn’t happen on the track.
Rather, it was the announcement that Lasoski and team owner Tony Stewart will switch to Mopar engines for the 2003 WoO season and that Home Depot will join J.D. Byrider as a primary sponsor with the team.
“I think it is a match made in heaven,” said Lasoski, the 2001 WoO Champion. “What better way to go for that second championship than by using Mopar engines. They are really stepping up their program with the World of Outlaws and I am really happy to be a part of it. We are already getting some engines and getting them ready for the season opener, which is only a few months away. I think it is the right move, and I am pumped already for next year to get here.”
The engines will still be built by Kistler Engines, who has supplied Danny with his power plants for the last several seasons. The engines are reportedly turning 10 more horsepower than his current powerplants.
Lasoski and Stewart also announced that they will team up with Home Depot, which is the primary sponsor on Stewart’s NASCAR Winston Cup car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Home Depot will join J.D. Byrider as the lead sponsors on the #20 sprinter and will join Massey Motorsports, Eagle Chassis, Kistler and Hoosier Tires to help Lasoski to the 2003 championship.
“Tony has really helped get Home Depot more involved with this team and I think they are going to be very surprised,” said Lasoski. “Tony has already done so much for me and now he brings Home Depot over to this team. I think the great folks at Home Depot will enjoy being involved with the Outlaws because these are the people they are looking to attract to their stores. It will also be awesome saying how great the J.D. Byrider/Home Depot/Tony Stewart Motorsports car was running on the way to the 2003 championship.”
Lasoski wrapped up the 2002 season with two tough nights in Las Vegas. He finished 6th during the preliminary event and 12th in the season’s last “A” feature. It was enough for Lasoski to clinch second in the season point’s battle, 334 points behind champion Steve Kinser. Lasoski missed four races due to an injury suffered earlier in the year at Williams Grove Speedway (PA).
Lasoski finished the season with a career high in “A” feature victories (13), top-fives (42), laps led (382), fast-qualifying times (13) and O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash wins (18). He finished the season with 52 top-10 finishes, four preliminary night feature wins and $395,805 in prize money. All those top his stats of the 2001 championship year.
Thanks to the substitute driving of Johnny Herrera while Lasoski was injured, the team finished second in the Car Owner standings, less than 150 points behind Kinser.
Fans can always see the most up-to-date information on “The Dude” at www.dannylasoski.com.
WOW! That is some pretty cool news for the "Dude."