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NEBRASKA/KANSAS WEEKEND RECAP |
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Written by Bill Klingbeil
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SCHATZ MOVES TO FOURTH AFTER WOO WEEKEND ACTION
KANSAS CITY, KS (June 27) - The numbers haven't exactly been what Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 Armor All/STP/ParkerStore crew were looking for in 2010. When the season began with a victory in Florida, the hope was that it was a sign of things to come for the four-time and reigning World of Outlaws champion. The fact is that the first half of the season has been a frustrating one for the Fargo, N.D., resident, but the silver lining is that there is still time to make a charge towards a fifth consecutive title.
This past weekend, Schatz raced to a third place finish on Friday night in the Outlaws debut at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., and came home sixth on Saturday night at Lakeside Speedway near Kansas City. Those results show more consistency and make it four straight top-seven runs, including a pair of podium finishes. He found himself more 215 points out of first recently, but heading into Tuesday's make-up event at Sedalia's State Fair Speedway, he has climbed back to fourth and 193 out of first. A tough task, but also one that a four-time champion looks at with a positive outlook.
"We've gotten better," admitted Schatz. "The numbers aren't there. The wins aren't there, but the work is there. The guys on this time are continuing to tweak our program. We've had some things happen early this year that haven't in years past. We understand things happen, but our attention is now on being the best we can through the month of July and August. After that we'll see where we are and try to finish strong."
Schatz will return to action on Tuesday night at the half-mile dirt oval in Sedalia, Mo. The event was originally scheduled for July 16. Qualifying was completed on that night with Schatz pacing the field, but when Mother Nature interrupted the action, the event was rescheduled and start completely over on Tuesday. Following Tuesday's race, the team will compete at Huset's Speedway in South Dakota and North Central Speedway in Minnesota.
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