Donny Schatz Ends Chili Bowl Nationals Two Spots Shy Of Saturday A-Main Starting Position
Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / TONY STEWART RACING – BROWNSBURG, IN – Ten-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz, put on an impressive display during his 2020 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals attempt at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ultimately missing Saturday’s 55-lap finale by a mere-two positions and capping preliminary competition with an eighth-place performance during Friday’s A-main.
Despite falling short of an A-Feature start on Saturday, Schatz, who piloted the Sage Fruit/No. 15 entry for Mark Cooper of Spike Chassis and Mike Curb of Curb-Agajanian Racing, ended the six-day program with a ninth-place finish during the second of two B-Features on Saturday; only the top seven from each B-Feature transferred into the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Feature.
Nearly 350 competitors made the call in Tulsa for the annual Chili Bowl Nationals, deriving from all disciplines of auto racing.
“It was a great week and we had fun, but to be that close to a qualifying spot and not make the show kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Regardless, I can’t thank Mark Cooper, Mike Curb, and Chuck Sinks enough for their support during the Chili Bowl,” Donny Schatz expressed. “Hopefully, we can come back in 2021 and try it again. I want one of those Golden Driller trophies.”
Although only the top-two A-main finishers from each preliminary program locked themselves into Saturday’s 55-lap finale, an eighth-place finish during Friday’s preliminary feature was high enough to lock Schatz in one of two Saturday evening B-Features. A second-place finish during his respective preliminary heat race, followed by a victory during his respective preliminary qualifier, locked Schatz into Friday’s preliminary main. The 2019 World of Outlaws championship runner-up climbed four spots from 12th to finish eighth at the final checkers.
Donny Schatz will immediately switch focus and begin preparing for the 2020 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season, which ignites Friday, February 7, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida. Piloting the familiar Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 sprinter, the Fargo, North Dakota-native is seeking an 11th Series title in 2020.
