Vintage

SCHATZ CLOSES AUSTRALIAN TOUR ON TOP

ARCHERFIELD, QLD - (Jan. 9) Donny Schatz made it three straight years of closing his annual Australian tour on top. Schatz once again was too tough to stop at Archerfield Speedway in Saturday night's Australian Open, the ninth round of the 2009/10 Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship.

Schatz wheeled the Garry Rush Motorsport No. 2 Pick N Payless sponsored Shaver-powered J&J from the pole position and lead all 50 laps to pocket the $20,000 triumph.

“It has been a trying weekend for us, so I’m glad to have been able to finish up on top tonight,” admitted Schatz, following his third win in seven starts. “On Wednesday I made a mistake and last night I wasn’t quite on top of my game but tonight I managed to get the job done."

On Friday night night, Schatz finished second, but ended the night with the most points. Those results put the four-time and reigning World of Outlaws champion in the right spot for the 50-lap finale.

“In the feature I was a little ‘gun shy’, particular on the short runs," continued Schatz. "I knew I was good for the long runs but on the shorter ones I was a little worried so I really pinned it against the cushion on those late restarts.

“A couple of times I was all over the place but we got the job done after 50 laps and finished with another win.”

The Fargo, N.D. racer will return to the United States this week and turn his attention toward his quest for a fifth consecutive World of Outlaws championship. He is scheduled to make his 2010 debut on American soil on Friday night, January 29, at Ocala (Florida) Speedway.