Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Preview

World of Outlaws driver Schatz heading down under

Sprint car driver back for Australian series.

Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart Racing

Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart Racing

Covy Moore

Donny Schatz and Joey Saldana
Donny Schatz
Donny Schatz
Donny Schatz
Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart Racing
Donny Schatz
Donny Schatz

Six-time World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz is less three weeks away from returning to action at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. On December 26, Schatz will open his six-race campaign on Australian soil behind the wheel of the Scott Jennings Racing (SJR) No. 15 Crimsafe/NT Shipping backed J&J. 

“I’ve had enough time off and I’m really excited to be making my way to Australia,” said Schatz, who has competed in Australia during his off-season annually since 1997. “We’re coming off an incredible year that started in Brisbane and I can’t wait to get back. John and Kathy Kelly have a great facility and always work to put on an exciting show for the fans. I love racing there. We’re also looking forward to being able to carry the Crimsafe brand on our car during the entire tour this year as well. They are based in Brisbane and we were thrilled to have them part of our World of Outlaws championship season with Tony Stewart Racing. I’m ready to get back in the car that’s for sure.” 

In early November, Schatz competed one of the most successful seasons in his 18-year WoO career. The Fargo, North Dakota native won a career-best 26 WoO A-Features driving Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) No. 15 STP/Armor All/Crimsafe J&J. He earned milestone victories including his 150th WoO A-Feature win at historic Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, Texas) in April, his 154th at 34 Raceway (Burlington, Iowa) in late June to become the third all-time winningest driver in WoO history and continued his incredible run at the Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals by winning his eighth A-Main in nine years. The 26 WoO A-Features victories he earned surpassed the 23 he and his STP backed team scored in 2013. Schatz led a majority of the WoO statistical categories including posting the most wins in a season by any driver since 1996. He led a series-best 438 laps, earned 13 KSE Hard Charger Awards, posted 63 top-five finishes and finished inside the top-10 in 80 of the 88 main events.

His incredible 2014 campaign began with wins at the high-banked, quarter-mile dirt oval in Brisbane last January, including three consecutive ENZED World Series Sprintcars Championship rounds. He closed his Australia tour with an impressive triumph in the prestigious Australian Open.

Brisbane beginning 

“We’ve had a lot of success in Brisbane,” continued Schatz. “I enjoy being able to come to Australia and race every year. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people over the years and make some great friends. The time I get to spend over there is about having fun and enjoying myself, but we go to win, too. The competition gets tougher every year, and we relish the opportunity to be able to get six nights of racing in. Eric Prutzman from my TSR team has been coming with me for the past several years and we have a good time working together. My family comes along as well and so we have plenty of time enjoying the sights and sounds of the Gold Coast.”

The 2014/15 tour begins with consecutive nights of racing Friday, December 26 and Saturday, December 27. The Fargo, North Dakota resident will make his third start on New Year's Day. The final three events will be ENZED World Series Sprintcars Championship rounds, starting Sunday, January 4. The two-night Australian Open will culminate with the 50-lap finale Saturday, January 10, where Schatz will be looking to close his tour Down Under with a seventh Australian Open victory.

TrueSpeed

 

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Danny Lasoski moves to Big Game Treestands car for 2015
Next article All Star sprint car series sets 2015 schedule

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA