Schatz, TSR Battle Through Tough Luck At I-55; Kokomo & Tri-State Ahead With WoO
Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / TONY STEWART RACING – BROWNSBURG, IN – It was a rollercoaster weekend on the highbanks of Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing.
Despite a freak mechanical hiccup on Friday that negated a potential victory for the ten-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, Schatz persevered, as most champions do, and rebounded for a six-position charge and an eleventh-place score on Saturday.
A heavy favorite from the outside-front row, Schatz, driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing/Carquest Auto Parts/Curb Records/Ford Performance/Sage Fruit/Digital Ally/Advance Auto Parts/Rush Truck Centers/Absolute Automation and Security/Hunt Brothers Pizza/J&J Auto Racing/No. 15 sprint car, was well on his way to a 300th-career WoO victory on Friday night when the mechanical hiccup occurred, ultimately leading the first 17 laps of the 40-lap contest when a heim joint malfunction from under the hood forced the Fargo, North Dakota-native to go pit-side. Schatz attempted to rejoin the field, but the heim issue, a rarity, proved to be terminal; Schatz was scored 20th.
Weekend preliminary results included a heat race victory on Friday, setting the tone for his eventual dash runner-up finish and his 17-lap campaign at the front. A sixth-place finish during heat race competition on Saturday forced Schatz to settle with 17th on the starting grid.
Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing will continue their 2021 World of Outlaws campaign with a two-day trek through the Hoosier State, first taking aim at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, Indiana, on Friday, April 9, followed by a stop at the always-exciting Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana, on Saturday, April 10.
Despite a “DNF” on his recent scorecard, Schatz will enter the weekend sixth in the current WoO championship standings padded by six top-five finishes in 11 Series starts. Still on the hunt for that elusive milestone victory, a win during action at Kokomo on Friday evening would solidify Schatz in the record books as a 300-time main event winner with the Greatest Show On Dirt.
Schatz’ most recent trip to World of Outlaws victory lane occurred during Williams Grove Speedway’s annual National Open on October 3, 2021, nailing down a $75,000 payday in the process.
