The driver scored his seventh World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series win of the season and 180th career win
ROSSBURG, Ohio - May 8, 2015 - Through the years Eldora Speedway has not always been kind to Donny Schatz. In fact, it had been almost exactly six years since the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver had stood as a winner in victory lane. Schatz changed that on Friday night though after he battled past Kerry Madsen and held off Shane Stewart to score his seventh World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
"Every place we've struggled at this year and in the past, (my team has) picked up their game and come and gotten us good qualifying positions and wins," Schatz said. "This place was on that list. These guys just kept working at it. They beat their head against the wall just like I did… Feels good to get a victory here at Eldora. It's been a long time."
Early on in the night, Madsen was the one to beat. The Aussie started on the pole and held on to the lead for the first half of the feature.
On lap 12, as Madsen caught lapped traffic, Schatz quickly closed the gap. In turn four, Schatz looked low and pulled even with Madsen but wasn't able to get around. Down the front straight in to turns one and two, Schatz battled to the lead. Out of turn two, Madsen raced back and briefly freed himself of Schatz. The battle was not over. The six-time champion again got around Madsen as they exited turn four. Schatz firmly took hold of the lead this time.
"Typically that's not our deal up on top but they've got an awesome racecar underneath me," Schatz said. "To be able to race up there, Kerry must have faded there at the end but he's normally pretty good here too."
Through lapped traffic and a late race caution, Schatz held off a challenge from Shane Stewart to win the feature.
"We came in to tonight just trying to get ourselves qualified well," Schatz said of his Bad Boy Buggies team. "We did that. Get ourselves through the heat - we did that. Get forward in the dash - we did that. And try to get that win and we did that. Tomorrow is a new day. We've got to go back and try to learn from the mistakes we made tonight and try to make things a little bit better. These guys are trying to win a championship and I'm doing everything I can to help them."
Schatz's win was the 180th World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory of his career. He's the third winningest driver in series history. Following his victory, Schatz also slightly extended his championship points lead over second place Shane Stewart to 33.
Stewart, who also finished the night in second place, slipped back to fourth on the start. He rode there through much of the first half of the night before closing on third place Rico Abreu. Stewart battled around Abreu and then, on lap 19, got around second place Madsen as the two exited off of turn four.
In the waning laps, Stewart tried to close on Schatz but was forced to fend off Abreu who tried to take over the second spot as Madsen faded back. Neither driver was successful.
Stewart scored his 12th top-five finish of the season.
"We unloaded fast tonight and (crew members Scotty Martin and Andrew Seamans), as always, did a great job for me," Stewart said. "We're staying close to Donny - we just can't get too far away from him. That team is just so darn good. It's a testament to them and how hard they work and it's a testament to my guys at how hard they're working to try to keep up with that guy. It's always a pleasure driving that number 2 car. It's always a pleasure coming here to race at Eldora. The fans are excellent. We'll try again tomorrow."
Abreu, who already has two Outlaws wins this season, closed out the night with a third place finish.
"We've had a lot of momentum," Abreu said. "We just haven't had the finishes. Either I crash or we've had a few mechanical failures. It's just the way it goes."
Abreu said having the opportunity to race with experienced drivers like Schatz and Stewart has helped his development this season.
"I just keep getting better and better each race. I'm thankful to be here. Thank you Tony (Stewart), Earl (Baltes) for building such a great race track - it's definitely one of my favorites."
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series wraps up the 'Mother of all Sprint Car Weekends' tomorrow night at Eldora Speedway. The series joins the USAC National Sprint Car Series for the second night of a double header at the historic track. Tickets are still available. Find out more information about the event and how to buy tickets at http://woosprint.com/eldora-speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz's win tonight was his seventh of the 2015 season. At this point last season Schatz had just three wins… Tonight's win was career win 180 for Donny Schatz. He is the third winningest driver in series history… Paul McMahan took home the quick time award tonight. It is the fourth of the season for McMahan which ties him with Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart for the most in 2015… Brad Sweet was the KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 9 positions to finish in 12th.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Joey Saldana; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Sweet Manufacturing ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Mobil 1 ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Lincoln Welders ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): David Gravel; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brad Sweet;Super Flow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Sweet Manufacturing ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz;Mobil 1 (20% off Mobil1RacingStore.com): Kraig Kinser; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jamie Veal.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Stockton Dirt Track on March 21, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 28, Placerville Speedway on April 8, Calistoga Speedway on April 12, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 26, Eldora Speedway on May 8); Shane Stewart - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5, Keller Auto Speedway on April 17, Salina Highbanks Speedway on May 1); Rico Abreu - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 14, Stockton Dirt Track on March 22); Paul McMahan - 2 (Perris Auto Speedway on April 18, Tri-State Speedway on May 3); Daryn Pittman - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Antioch Speedway on March 29); Brad Sweet - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 15, Calistoga Speedway on April 11); Christopher Bell - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on May 2); Brian Brown - 1 (USA Raceway on March 7); Tim Kaeding - 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 13); Terry McCarl - 1 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5).
- administrator on May 10, 2015
- Article Date: 5/8/2015