Friday wasn't Cody Darrah's first time competing against drivers from the World of Outlaws, or NASCAR's Kasey Kahne for that matter.

The 18-year-old Red Lion senior was on the track in his 410 sprint car at Williams Grove when both the Outlaws and Kahne raced at the Grove in 2007, but this year's third-place finish was definitely his best against several of the sport's national drivers.

"I like running against them when they come to town," Darrah said. "It is great competition, and they really seem to step it up a notch. I feel like the pressure is not on me as much, but on them. (Doing well) is expected of them."

World of Outlaws sprint car series points leader Craig Dollansky took top honors at the Grove with fellow Outlaw Joey Saldana placing second. Darrah started the race fourth, and his third-place finish was tops among locals with his finish.

Darrah credited several factors for his recent success, including his own experience, but at the top of his list is crew chief Lee Stauffer.

"I can't say enough what (Stauffer) has done," he said. "(Stauffer is) not only getting the car better, but he has been around long enough to know how to handle drivers. Lee helps me get into the mindset to look ahead and figure out what cars are doing.

"I am really getting comfortable in my car. This was one of the first races where I felt in control and knew what I could do with my car."

Things didn't go quite as well for Darrah the next night

at Lincoln Speedway, where he finished 15th after starting eighth, but the nephew of famed late model driver Rick Eckert still made the feature event.

"The team expectations are to win," Darrah said. "Realistically, I haven't won that first race, so I just want to stay moving forward."

Darrah is currently third in points at the Grove and ninth at Lincoln.

Kahne, one of the more popular drivers in NASCAR, placed 14th on Friday but did not make Saturday's feature. That race was strong for the Pennsylvania Posse and won by local driver Greg Hodnett.

* * *

Open practices at Susquehanna: The last of the local tracks to open its season, Susquehanna Speedway Park kicks off on April 12, but the speedway will have open practice sessions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. the next two Saturdays.

The practices are open to any type of dirt-track car, and sessions will rotate for each class.

Pits will open at 3:30 p.m. for practice. Pit passes will cost $12 each for ages 14 and older. Children 13 and under are not allowed in the pits, but the grandstand will be open and is free for practice nights.

Susquehanna's season-opening racing includes late models, street stocks, Xtreme stock cars and ARDC midgets in what promoters are calling the first of five "Fab 4" features.

The late models and stocks will run 25-lap main events, while the midgets will remain at 20 laps.

General admission adult tickets for the "Fab 4" events will cost $14, youth from 11-17 and seniors 60 and up will be $12. Children under 10 are free.

This weekend's track action: Super late models will join the 410 sprint cars at Williams Grove on Friday. The racing action begins at 7:30 p.m. The Grove will also be open Saturday, featuring super sportsman, 358 late models, 4 cylinders and enduro stocks beginning at 7 p.m. ... Saturday's 6 p.m. show at Lincoln will have the 410 sprints, along with thundercars and street stocks.

World of Outlaws news: Whether shown live or on tape-delay, the World of Outlaw racing schedule will be televised on the Speed Channel, according to World Racing Group, the governing body for the circuit.

Five multi-hour Outlaw events will be broadcast by the network, three of which will be live, including the season finale.
snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060