World Finals finale summary, results 2008-11-01

Capping the Year In Style: Schatz Wins Finale of VAULT World Finals LIVE on SPEED

Concord, NC-- November 1, 2008--After wrapping up his third consecutive Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series title on Friday night during the second annual VAULT World Finals, with a runner-up finish, Donny Schatz was determined to return to the track on Saturday and close the season with a win. He did exactly that leading all 30 laps in dominant fashion live on SPEED to pick up his series-best 18th A-Feature win of 2008.

Schatz, who won the Crane Cams Dash to earn the pole position, powered his way into turns one and two at the start and never looked back en route to the $10,000 victory, which was the 88th of his career with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.

"We just had an awesome race car for how the track was," noted Schatz. "There wasn't a lot of moving around, but man it was fast. It was one of the faster tracks that we have been on in a while. This thing was on a rail. The motor ran great and we had the car working well. We started up front, which was a major bonus and had to be smart for 30 laps."

On the opening start, Jason Sides looked low on Schatz exiting turns three and four and that was the biggest challenge that the leader would face all night. Schatz did have one tense moment during the 30-lap event, as he went three-wide with a couple of lapped cars on the 18th circuit in turn two aboard the Armor All J&J.

"I took a couple of chances in lapped traffic and split a couple of guys, and that's where the fun is," he said with a smile. "I'm glad to be in that position where we are able to do that."

Along with winning the title this season for his team, Schatz helped his engine builder Shaver Specialties claim the 2008 Crane Cams Engine Builder Challenge which pit four different engine manufacturers against each other over the course of the year. While they had great horsepower all season, Schatz's team tried a couple of different combinations during the VAULT World Finals, which paid off immensely as they helped Chevrolet claim their first World of Outlaws championship.

"We probably learned more about our motor package this weekend, than we had in six months," explained the North Dakota native. "That's something that we really wanted and needed. I can't say enough about these guys. We had Ron Shaver (engine builder) here and I don't know without him here if we would have found what we did. We're stoked about that and we can't wait for 2009."

After nine-plus months of racing and countless tens of thousands of miles on the road, Schatz was quick to credit his team led by crew chief Ricky Warner along with Shane Bowers and Kyle Sundby for their endless dedication to him and the team.

"I get all the limelight, but they are the ones that do all the work on this deal day in and day out," shared the champion. "They put in the miles up and down the road. Most importantly they put their faith in me every time I get in the race car. I don't think I have a guy that doesn't have 110 percent in me and 110 percent in the car and that's what it's all about."

After winning titles the last two seasons while driving for his family owned team, Schatz made the move to Tony Stewart Racing this season, and with his title this season became just the third driver in the 30-year existence of the World of Outlaws to claim three titles. He became the only driver other than 20-time series champion Steve Kinser to win three consecutive championships. Schatz was looking forward to getting to call Stewart for the 18th time after a victory on Saturday night.

"I think he'll be excited," admitted Schatz when asked about his boss. "He didn't put any pressure on us this week. He just said all you have to do is win two nights. He knows how hard these things are to drive and how much work it takes from everybody. He is very appreciative of what we have done. We are glad to do it for him."

Kraig Kinser made it a one-two sweep for Tony Stewart Racing on Saturday night as came home a very solid second, after lining up fourth in the Bass Pro Shops Maxim. He got around Terry McCarl on the opening lap to move into third and then used a strong restart with 11 laps to go to dive under Jason Sides in turns one and two.

"It was a real good night, especially with it being a television night," said the third generation driver. "It was a great race. We stayed in there and kept at it. Jason (Sides) ran a great race and left the bottom open on the restart and we got a good run on him to take that spot. It was a great run for the team."

Jason Meyers did everything he could late in the race to catch Kinser and was right on him during the last two laps. He wound up third in the GLR Investments KPC to earn his series leading 48th Top-Five finish of the year. It was his 14th third-place run of the season.

"About two or three more laps and I think we would have had a heck of a race for the lead in lapped traffic," Meyers said. "Donny (Schatz) did a good job tonight and Kraig (Kinser) had a good run. My guys did a great job. We had a good car to come from sixth to third. I am very happy."

Daryn Pittman also got around Sides on the lap 19 restart and finished fourth in the Titan Garages Maxim. Sides was fifth in the Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim.

Steve Kinser came all the way from the 14th starting spot to run sixth in the Q Oil Maxim, to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award. Brooke Tatnell, who won the opener of the VAULT World Finals on Friday night, was seventh in the Aggressive Hydraulics Maxim, with Terry McCarl eighth in the Big Game Treestands Maxim. Cody Darrah was ninth in the J&K Salvage Maxim, with Ed Lynch Jr. rounding out the Top-10 in the Howard Concrete J&J.

During the middle stages of the race, Kinser patiently worked on Jason Sides, trying a couple of different lines to see where his car worked best. As the leaders entered lapped traffic with three laps to go, he was able to gain a little ground on his teammate, as they recorded their second one-two finish this season.

"I was pretty confident with my car and we were pretty good on top and pretty good on the bottom," he noted. "Maybe if we had gotten to a little heavier traffic it may have helped."

Meyers, who matched his career-best finish in points with a runner-up performance led the World of Outlaws in a number of statistical categories this season, including laps led, Top-Five finished and fast time honors in time trials. He also won a career-best eight A-Feature events along with a preliminary feature.

"We had a great year and we wish we were standing on the top of the podium tonight," he said. "We had to come from the back of the dash tonight and worked hard. We decided to test some stuff for next year and learned a lot tonight. It was a good night on all fronts. I'm looking forward to a little break and coming back on all cylinders."

The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series wraps up the 2008 season on Sunday night with the series annual Awards Banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina.

VAULT WORLD FINALS NOTEBOOK

* A POTENT COMBINATION: Craig Dollansky announced live on SPEED during the finale of the VAULT World Finals in an interview with Dave Despain, that he will join Kasey Kahne Racing next season as a teammate to Joey Saldana. Dollansky's current crew led by crew chief Mike Woodring will also make the move with him to the Mooresville, North Carolina based team.

"We're real excited for next year, said Dollansky. "I am looking forward to going to Kasey Kahne Racing. I have Mike (Woodring) Rob (Beattie) and Lester (Groves) going with me. Keeping the chemistry of the race team together was very important to me. Working together with the crew from the (No.) 9 car, it should be two pretty strong race teams."

Dollansky won seven A-Feature events, along with a preliminary feature this season with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series prior to getting injured at Eldora Speedway in September. He finished the season with 44 Top-10 finishes for Larry Woodward Racing, which completed the season fourth in owner points.

* FAST QUALIFIER: Jason Meyers paced the 45 cars that took time with an AMB i.t. timed lap around the semi-banked four-tenths-mile oval at 12.406 seconds at 116.073 mph. For his qualifying effort, Meyers earned five bonus points. The next four fastest qualifiers also earned bonus points, including: Daryn Pittman (4), Ed Lynch Jr. (3), Chad Kemenah (2), and Donny Schatz (1).

* QUALIFYING WINNERS: Donny Schatz, Rob Chaney, Jac Haudenschild and Kraig Kinser won heat races... Donny Schatz won the Crane Cams Dash.... Kerry Madsen won the B-Main... Niki Young won the C-Main.

* FEATURE WINNERS: There have been 63 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events held in 2008. The winners include: Donny Schatz (Knoxville Raceway-twice, Attica Raceway Park, Eldora Speedway, Tri-City Speedway, Sedalia's State Fair Speedway, Dodge City Raceway Park, River Cities Speedway, Cedar Lake Speedway, Riverside International Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, K-C Raceway, Cottage Grove Speedway, Clay County Fair Speedway, Princeton Speedway, Hollywood Hills Speedway, Heartland Park Topeka and The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway), Jason Meyers (Volusia Speedway Park, Manzanita Speedway, I-55 Raceway, Lernerville Speedway, Virginia Motor Speedway, Limaland Motorsports Park, Nodak Speedway and Castrol Raceway), Craig Dollansky (Volusia Speedway Park, Eldora Speedway, Huset's Speedway-twice, Eagle Raceway, Tri-State Speedway and Paducah International Raceway), Steve Kinser (Williams Grove Speedway, Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Lernerville Speedway, I-96 Speedway, Charter Raceway Park, Dacotah Speedway and Ocean Speedway), Jac Haudenschild (Castrol Raceway, Silver Dollar Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway and Thunderbowl Raceway), Joey Saldana (Dodge City Raceway Park, Eldora Speedway-twice, Billings Motorsports Park and Skagit Speedway), Daryn Pittman (Eldora Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, Wilmot Speedway and Red River Valley Speedway), Kraig Kinser (Grays Harbor Raceway and North Central Speedway), Tony Bruce Jr. (34 Raceway), Lance Dewease (The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway), Danny Lasoski (Volusia Speedway Park), Terry McCarl (Orange County Fair Speedway), Jason Solwold (Skagit Speedway), Shane Stewart (Knoxville Raceway) and Brooke Tatnell (The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway).

*PRELIMINARY FEATURE WINNERS: There have been two Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Preliminary Feature events held in 2008. The winners include Craig Dollansky (Silver Dollar Speedway) and Jason Meyers (Silver Dollar Speedway.

* 0.4-MILE WINNERS: The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway is a semi-banked 0.4-mile oval. The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series have raced five times this season on a track that size. The winners include: Lance Dewease (The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway), Steve Kinser (Lernerville Speedway), Jason Meyers (Lernerville Speedway), Donny Schatz (The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway) and Brooke Tatnell (The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway).

* ON TELEVISION: The Friday night portion of the second annual VAULT World Finals was taped for broadcast on SPEED on Saturday, November 8 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; VAULT World Finals; Concord, NC; November 1, 2008

Qualifying (Held on October 30)
1) 14-Jason Meyers 12.406
2) 21-Daryn Pittman 12.455
3) 2L-Ed Lynch Jr. 12.471
4) 8K-Chad Kemenah 12.510
5) 15-Donny Schatz 12.514
6) 6N-Danny Lasoski 12.528
7) R19-Jac Haudenschild 12.540
8) 11-Steve Kinser 12.546
9) 55-Kerry Madsen 12.560
10) 7S-Jason Sides 12.568
11) 51-Fred Rahmer 12.570
12) 2-Brook Tatnell 12.636
13) 24-Terry McCarl 12.642
14) 24H-Rob Chaney 12.642
15) 89-Cody Darrah 12.659
16) 20-Kraig Kinser 12.680
17) 7M-Mark Smith 12.688
18) 9-Joey Saldana 12.733
19) 83A-Tim Shaffer 12.738
20) 35-Alan Cole 12.738
21) 77X-Wayne Johnson 12.741
22) 51S-Lee Sowell 12.750
23) 6-Paul McMahan 12.753
24) 71-Brian Leppo 12.810
25) 11M-Brandon Martin 12.812
26) 1Z-Jessica Zemken 12.826
27) 5W-Lucas Wolfe 12.842
28) 22-Greg Hodnett 12.848
29) 4-Danny Smith 12.904
30) 18-Tony Bruce Jr. 12.913
31) 30C-Lance Dewease 12.937
32) 12-Lynton Jeffrey 12.984
33) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13.016
34) W20-Greg Wilson 13.087
35) 20E-Brian Ellenberger 13.102
36) 11T-T J Winegardner 13.143
37) O-Glenn Styres 13.153
38) 5C-Chad Hillier 13.179
39) 10N-Niki Young 13.187
40) 37-Scott Flammer 13.196
41) 84-Jimmy Stinson 13.235
42) 81-Craig Folmar 13.315
43) 59-Lee Jacobs 13.321
44) 63-Josh Weller 13.374
45) 47X-Louie Carufel 13.700
46) 11S-Brian Smith -.---

Heat 1 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 15-Donny Schatz
2) 24-Terry McCarl
3) 14-Jason Meyers
4) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.
5) 77X-Wayne Johnson
6) 5C-Chad Hillier
7) 7M-Mark Smith
8) 55-Kerry Madsen
9) 1Z-Jessica Zemken
10) 81-Brian Paulus
11) W20-Greg Wilson
12) 11S-Brian Smith

Heat 2 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 24H-Rob Chaney
2) 7S-Jason Sides
3) 9-Joey Saldana
4) 6N-Danny Lasoski
5) 21-Daryn Pittman
6) 6-Paul McMahan
7) 20E-Brian Ellenberger
8) 5W-Lucas Wolfe
9) 30C-Lance Dewease
10) 10N-Niki Young
11) 59-Lee Jacobs

Heat 3 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) R19-Jac Haudenschild
2) 89-Cody Darrah
3) 2L-Ed Lynch Jr.
4) 51-Fred Rahmer
5) 22-Greg Hodnett
6) 71-Brian Leppo
7) 12-Lynton Jeffrey
8) 37-Scott Flammer
9) 63-Josh Weller
10) 83A-Tim Shaffer
11) 11T-T J Winegardner

Heat 4 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 20-Kraig Kinser
2) 2-Brook Tatnell
3) 11-Steve Kinser
4) 8K-Chad Kemenah
5) 35-Alan Cole
6) 11M-Brandon Martin
7) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.
8) 84-Jimmy Stinson
9) 4-Danny Smith
10) O-Glenn Styres
11) 47X-Louie Carufel

Crane Cams Dash (6 laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature)
1) 15-Donny Schatz
2) 7S-Jason Sides
3) 24-Terry McCarl
4) 20-Kraig Kinser
5) 24H-Rob Chaney
6) 14-Jason Meyers
7) R19-Jac Haudenschild
8) 2-Brook Tatnell
9) 89-Cody Darrah
10) 21-Daryn Pittman

C-main (8 laps, top 2 finishers transferred to B-main)
1) 10N-Niki Young
2) 84-Jimmy Stinson
3) 5C-Chad Hillier [$125]
4) 81-Brian Paulus [$125]
5) 63-Josh Weller [$125]
6) 47X-Louie Carufel [$100]
7) 37-Scott Flammer [$100]
8) 11S-Brian Smith [$100]
9) 59-Lee Jacobs [$100]

B-main (12 laps, top 4 finishers transferred to A-feature)
1) 55-Kerry Madsen
2) 7M-Mark Smith
3) 6-Paul McMahan
4) 83A-Tim Shaffer
5) 11M-Brandon Martin [$200]
6) 5W-Lucas Wolfe [$180]
7) 71-Brian Leppo [$175]
8) 4-Danny Smith [$160]
9) 12-Lynton Jeffrey [$150]
10) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. [$150]
11) 20E-Brian Ellenberger [$150]
12) W20-Greg Wilson [$150]
13) 1Z-Jessica Zemken [$150]
14) 10N-Niki Young [$150]
15) 11T-T J Winegardner [$150]
16) O-Glenn Styres [$150]
17) 84-Jimmy Stinson [$150]
18) 30C-Lance Dewease [$150]

A-main (30 laps) - Starting Position [#]
1) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$10,000]
2) 20-Kraig Kinser[4] [$5,000]
3) 14-Jason Meyers[6] [$3,000]
4) 21-Daryn Pittman[10] [$2,700]
5) 7S-Jason Sides[2] [$2,500]
6) 11-Steve Kinser[14] [$2,200]
7) 2-Brook Tatnell[8] [$2,000]
8) 24-Terry McCarl[3] [$1,800]
9) 89-Cody Darrah[9] [$1,600]
10) 2L-Ed Lynch Jr.[11] [$1,450]
11) 77X-Wayne Johnson[21] [$1,300]
12) 51-Fred Rahmer[16] [$1,200]
13) 6-Paul McMahan[22] [$1,100]
14) 8K-Chad Kemenah[12] [$1,000]
15) 83A-Tim Shaffer[19] [$950]
16) 22-Greg Hodnett[23] [$900]
17) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[24] [$850]
18) 24H-Rob Chaney[5] [$750]
19) 55-Kerry Madsen[15] [$725]
20) 35-Alan Cole[20] [$700]
21) 6N-Danny Lasoski[13] [$700]
22) R19-Jac Haudenschild[7] [$700]
23) 7M-Mark Smith[17] [$700]
24) 9-Joey Saldana[18] [$700]

Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30

Chicken Hawk Hot Lap Award: Donny Schatz
Penske Power Position Award: Jason Meyers
SuperClean Start of the Night Award: Greg Hodnett
KSE Hard Charger Award: Steve Kinser

-credit: www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint