Williams Grove II: Donny Schatz preview

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- After struggling dearly at one of the most historic dirt tracks in the United States early in his career, Donny Schatz admits that Williams Grove Speedway is one of his favorite racetracks in America. The 26 year-old Fargo, ND World of Outlaws Sprint Series star returns to the speedway tonight along with his ParkerStore team hoping to defend the Cleveland Brothers Summer Nationals crown.

Last year, Schatz drove his #15 ParkerStore J&J to wins in two of the three Summer Nationals races including the $20,000-to-win finale.

"There's no tougher place in the world to race than Williams Grove," said Schatz, who has seven career World of Outlaws Sprint Series wins at Williams Grove Speedway. "The guys that race there every week are as tough as they come. I've found the place to really bring out the best in my driving style. Winning the Summer Nationals last year was a big boost for our team. We could really use another boost like that this year to help us get back to where we want to be."

When Schatz won the National Open at "the Grove" in October of 2000, it was his first career triumph at the track and began an impressive streak of four consecutive World of Outlaw victories at the facility. He conquered a May preliminary in 2001 and when the team returned on July 27, he won another preliminary feature. The same night following the prelim win, Schatz dominated the rained out 30-lap Wirtgen Challenge event. The next night he led the first 25 laps prior to finishing second.

In last season's Summer Nationals, Schatz won the second preliminary feature from his eighth starting position passing race leader Jason Sides with less than four laps remaining. In the Second Annual Cleveland Brothers Summer Nationals finale the following night, Schatz led most of the race and fought off challenges from Danny Lasoski to take home the win.

Schatz continued his success at "the Grove" by leading all 25 laps of the National Open preliminary feature last October to pick up win number seven at the historic half-mile dirt oval.

"We started the "Month of Money" with two eighth place finishes, and we've got to be better than that," continued Schatz, who continues to hold the third position in the WoO standings. "This team has to be in top three battling for wins every night for us to feel good about what we're doing. Williams Grove has been a great track for me the past few years and I hope that continues this weekend."

Keep up with all the latest news and information on Donny Schatz and his ParkerStore World of Outlaws Sprint Series team by logging onto www.donnyschatz.com and www.parker.com/racing.

-www.donnyschatz.com