Vintage

SCHATZ REMAINS THE MAN IN AUSSIE $50K SPRINTCAR INTERNATIONAL

GRANVILLE, NSW - Donny Schatz always steps up when the big money is on the line. For the eighth time in ten years, he claimed Australia's highest paying Sprint car race. On Tuesday night, Schatz wheeled the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 2 Pick N Payless Shaver powered J&J from the eighth starting spot into the lead on lap 23 of the 40-lap Scott Darley $50,000-to-win presented by Coca-Cola at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway (TPCR).

From there Schatz proved once again he is the man to beat when a race matters most. The victory capped a four-race run at TPCR that included a pair of wins, a second and a third.

“We did our jobs right today," admitted Schatz. "We spent a little bit of time with the race car changing a few things and I can’t say enough about these guys in the team for their hard work and dedication.”

The reigning World of Outlaws champion started eighth, after being high point man heading into the finale. After a three-way battle for the minor spots with his team-mate Tony Stewart and fellow American Tim Shaffer in the early part of the race, Schatz took the lead from Danny Smith with 17 laps remaining with an outside pass of the leader.

The race also marked his final Aussie battle with his teammate, Tony Stewart. Stewart, who drove the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 14 J&J, became more and more competitive during his four-race run at TPCR, including setting fast-time in Monday's program.

“It’s been pretty cool to have Tony (Stewart) as my teammate," admitted Schatz. "It’s unfortunate it has got to come to an end here at Parramatta, but all good things must come to an end."

Schatz will conclude his Australia tour this week before returning to the United States early next week.

 

SCHATZ THIRD IN SCOTT DARLEY $50K OPENER

GRANVILLE, NSW - Donny Schatz came home third in Monday night's 30-lap feature event to open the two-day Scott Darley $50,000 to win presented by Coca Cola at Sydney’s Tyrepower City Raceway (TPCR). Schatz raced the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 2 Pick N Payless Shaver-powered J&J from 10th to third and heads into tonight's finale at TPCR with the second most points.

“I probably played with too many things in terms of the set-up for the feature race, but then again this is the night to try things because tomorrow is when it matters most," admitted Schatz following the race. “I still had a car that was good enough to win, but I just made a mistake and got caught up in the lapped traffic which meant I lost some ground."

“We’ll come back tomorrow night and hopefully be right on the money.”

Schatz qualified fifth in the field of fifth of 56 cars and took a heat race win to begin the evening. He started tenth and worked his way forward in the 30-lap event. He trails Danny Smith by one-point after the first night and is positioned favorably for the Tuesday's program, which consists of dash events and a 40-lap finale.

MOTHER NATURE FORCES SCHATZ TO WAIT ON FIRST RUN IN 2010

 GRANVILLE, NSW - (Jan. 2) - Donny Schatz has dominated the annual $50,000-to-win event at Tyrepower Parrmatta City Raceway and after Steve Kinser broke his four-year winning streak in the event last year, he's ready to begin another streak. Mother Nature forced the opening night of this year's $50,000 to win Scott Darley race presented by Coca-Cola be pushed back to Sunday and Monday following heavy rain late Saturday afternoon.

Despite the best efforts of the 65 drivers in attendance, race officials and venue management to prepare the track surface for racing to begin, the track was determined too wet for racing at approximately 8pm.  Schatz, who has a first and second behind the wheel of the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 2 Pick N Payless Shaver-powered J&J, will look to make it three quick times in a row to start the program on Sunday.

SCHATZ COMES HOME SECOND AT TYREPOWER

GRANVILLE, NSW (Dec. 29) - Donny Schatz was hoping to make it two straight on Wednesday night at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway (TPCR). The reigning World of Outlaws champion came up one spot short in the Hogs Breath $10.000 International following Ian Madsen to the finish line.

"I really hate losing in this business, but the kid beat us fair and square tonight," Schatz said following the race. "You deserved the trophy Ian, but don't get used to this winning."

"That's just the way it goes, they caught me out of sync and it just took that one time and I got passed by him along with Brazier, it took me a lap or two to gather back up but once I got going I was fine but the race was over by that point."

Schatz once again paced the 49-car field in qualifying behind the wheel of the Garry Rush Motorsport Pick N Payless sponsored No. 2 Shaver-powered J&J. He won the first heat race and came home second in the Queensland Speedway Spares Dash race.  The Fargo, ND racer started the 30-lap feature event eighth and worked his way to the front. He was engaged in a thrilling duel with Madsen and Garry Brazier.

Tony Stewart finished a solid evening of action behind the wheel of the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 14 J&J with a fourth place finish in the feature event. He qualified third in the field, finished second in his heat and came home fourth in his Dash race.

Both will return to TPCR on Saturday night for the first night of the two-night Scott Darley Memorial. Sunday's winner will collect $50,000.