Donny Schatz Rebounds For Podium At Lernerville After Frustrating Eldora Visit
Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / TONY STEWART RACING – BROWNSBURG, IN – Despite a tough start to the weekend, forced to use a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Series provisional starting position on Friday night during the BeFour the Crowns Showdown at Eldora Speedway, the nine-time and defending Series champion rebounded in spectacular fashion, wrapping up the recent weekend with a runner-up finish during Lernerville’s Commonwealth Clash on Saturday, September 22.
Schatz, driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing/Textron Off Road/Ford Performance/Curb Records/Sage Fruit/No. 15 sprint car, was forced to utilize a World of Outlaws provisional at The Big E after failing to transfer through his respective heat race and Last Chance Showdown. An excellent example of perseverance, Schatz took advantage of his provisional and advanced 12 spots during his Eldora visit and crossed under the final checkers 13th after starting 25th.
“Nights like that can be frustrating, but you have to stay focused and keep moving forward,” Donny Schatz explained regarding his Eldora Speedway start. “I have a great crew and they didn’t let Friday cause any distractions toward the rest of the weekend. We went to Lernerville and put ourselves in position early. It was a good race, but we came up a little short. We’ll try to do one better at Williams Grove Speedway this weekend.”
After starting third on the feature grid, the result of a third place finish during the evening’s dash, Schatz battled forward during Lernerville’s Commonwealth Clash and eventually took command from the ‘Steel City Outlaw’ Tim Shaffer on lap 22. Schatz held the top spot until lap 28 when Grass Valley, California’s Brad Sweet snuck up on the Fargo-native and stole control, using the bottom groove to dive underneath the defending World of Outlaws champion as the pair battled through turns one and two. Schatz held on to finish second.
Up next on the schedule, Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing will venture further down the Pennsylvania Turnpike and spend a pair of days at the world-famous Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg on Friday and Saturday, September 28 & 29. Friday’s program will award a $10,000 payday, followed by the $56,000-to-win National Open finale on Saturday, September 29. Donny Schatz finished second to David Gravel during the 2017 Williams Grove National Open.
“It’s going to be different pulling into Williams Grove Speedway and not seeing Greg Hodnett. He was a great competitor and an even better person,” Donny Schatz continued. “Our hearts are with Greg’s family and Heffner Racing.”
