North Dakota native slices into World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car title race

MINOT, N.D. – Aug. 18, 2013 – Donny Schatz’s 16th World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series victory of the season was definitely a sweet one on Sunday night at Nodak Speedway. His win completed a weekend sweep of his native North Dakota and in the city where he was raised.

Schatz became the first Outlaw to repeat as winner at Nodak, and it continued an impressive hot streak as he attempts to catch Daryn Pittman in the overall championship battle. Since the Brad Doty Classic on July 10, Schatz has eight victories and only one finish outside the top three, which was a sixth-place run in the Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway.

On Sunday night, it looked as if Schatz was going to have to settle for the runner-up position as his Tony Stewart Racing teammate, Steve Kinser, was in control of the 35-lap main event. With four laps to go, though, Kinser and Schatz were in traffic when a slight bobble by the 20-time champion gave Schatz the break he needed. Schatz pounced, drove to the front and took the checkered flag in what’s becoming a familiar sight on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series tour. (more…)

Continues closing gap in World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car championship

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Aug. 16, 2013 – Donny Schatz is proving once again there isn’t much he can’t do in a racecar.

A week after making history by winning the FVP Knoxville Nationals from the deepest starting position ever, Schatz on Friday night at River Cities Speedway became the first driver to win a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series A-main in addition to winning a dirt Late Model feature just minutes apart.

In the main event at the 3/10-mile high-banked oval, Schatz powered to his 15th World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series victory of the season, leading all 40 laps and preventing runner-up Cody Darrah from completing a sweep of the Outlaws events at the track after he won there in June.

Championship points-leader Daryn Pittman was third with Brad Sweet and Craig Dollansky rounding out the top five.

Schatz, the five-time and defending series champion who is second in points behind Pittman, started on the pole and beat Pittman into turn one. Schatz faced a few tricky spots in lapped traffic, including near disaster when contact nearly spun him. As the laps ticked off, Schatz continued to build his advantage in his STP/Armor All J&J and no cautions in the 40-lap A-main hindered Darrah’s efforts to close the gap. (more…)

Steve Kinser Slides to His Second Victory of the Season

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. – August 13, 2013 – Steve Kinser has returned to victory, bringing cheers from the crowd as the 20-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion climbed from his car at the end of the 30-lap feature at Junction Motor Speedway on Tuesday night.

Kerry Madsen, who started on the pole, tightened the battle for the lead towards the end of the feature event, even leading lap 28. Madsen lost the lead on the next laps and settled for second. Donny Schatz, who is coming off his seventh FVP Knoxville Nationals title, rounded out the podium.

Justin Henderson had a strong run early in the race, running second early and giving up third to Schatz late to finish fourth while Kings Royal winner Brad Sweet finished out the top five. Sweet’s Kasey Kahne Racing teammate and World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship leader, Daryn Pittman, missed the top five by just one spot.

Kinser dominated much of the feature in his Bad Boy Buggies Maxim until around lap 20 when Aussie Madsen ran him down after Kinser struggled on the exit of turn four on a couple of occasions. As Kinser struggled to weave around lap cars, Madsen drew nearer by nearly throwing his car onto the bottom of one and two and willing the car to stick. On lap 25 Madsen passed Kinser for the first time, but Kinser stuck with him and won the drag race on the back stretch. (more…)