Donny Schatz Williams Grove National Open summary

SCHATZ, PARKERSTORE TEAM RIDING HIGH AFTER NATIONAL OPEN WIN

FARGO, ND (Oct. 1) - Just after midnight on Sunday morning, Donny Schatz continued his storybook season by adding his fourth Cleveland Brothers CAT National Open crown to his 2007 racing accomplishments.

It was another dominant performance as Schatz raced the Global ParkerStore/Tom Johnson Camping Center sponsored No. 15 J&J with Shaver-built Chevrolet power to a flag-to-flag triumph.

On Monday, the defending World of Outlaws champion and current series points leader is still excited about Saturday's win.

"These wins just keep feeling better and better," said Schatz, who leads the series with 17 victories in 2007. "I keep saying this, but you never know when your next win will come. It's been unbelievable that we've been able to be so good when the big money is on the line. Everyone involved with this race team, the sponsors, the crew, and my parents, is out here giving the best effort that we can. We're a team in every aspect of the word."

"I also know we've had some luck go our way. Just take Saturday night for example. We win the fourth heat race and when it came time for me to draw a starting position, I just asked one of the fans standing around the car to pick a pill and he pulls out the deuce."

>From the moment he stepped into his No. 15 ParkerStore J&J on Saturday night, Schatz was clearly on a mission. He led every lap he raced starting with a dominating performance in the fourth heat, followed by his 11th Crane Cams Dash win of the year and ultimately the 40-lap finale.

"This team just doesn't quit," continued Schatz, who now has 86 career WoO wins (68 "A" features and 18 prelims). "Ricky (Warner), Dyno (Dave Lawrence) and Shane (Bowers) just keep working harder and harder. We were totally different with the car on Saturday night than we were Friday. You can do that when you're willing to try some different things. It was a rocket in the feature and I just kept trying to make as many good laps as I could."

Schatz was in firm control during the entire race including when the race was slowed on lap 32 for a caution. At that moment, Schatz nearly had a half-track advantage on the second place runner. When the race resumed for the final eight circuits, the Fargo, ND resident regained a comfortable advantage and picked up his second $50,000 pay check of the season. It was the sixth time in 2007 that he won a race paying more than $20,000-to-win.

By winning the National Open, Schatz joined sprint car legend Steve Kinser as the only drivers to win the prestigious event four times during its 45-year history. He also became the first sprint car racer to ever win the Kings Royal, Silver Cup, Summer Nationals, Knoxville Nationals and National Open in the same season.

"It's an honor hear your name mentioned with Steve Kinser," continued Schatz. "No one will ever be as good as he is. We're fortunate to have the chance to chase his records and be part of the World of Outlaws."

With his list of accomplishments already, Schatz will have his name all over the 2007 record books including the one at Williams Grove Speedway. He has five wins at the track in only seven starts, the most by any racer this season at the facility, bringing his career total to 16 at the track.

"I just love racing at Williams Grove," said Schatz. "I have such a good feel for how to run a race car there. The place was over-flowing with people and everybody put on a good show. I guess the only bad thing is that we don't get to race there again until next year."

Schatz, who holds a 90-point advantage in the 2007 series standings, will be back in action on Friday and Saturday night in Princeton, MN. The Polydome Princeton Nationals are two of the final seven nights remaining in this year's schedule.

Saturday's win was taped by SPEED and will air on Sunday, October 14th.

-credit: www.donnyschatz.com.