TSR’S COUNTDOWN TO THE KNOXVILLE NATIONALS
Schatz Finally Does It
Editor’s Note: During the next five days leading up to this year’s 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, Tony Stewart Racing will revisit each of Donny Schatz’s five Knoxville Nationals triumphs in advance of Sprint Car Racing’s biggest event, which kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 8.
After the heartbreaks of Nationals past that included finishing second four times in a span of six years, Donny Schatz probably wondered if he was ever going to claim Sprint car racing’s biggest trophy. In August 2006, it all came together for Schatz as he drove a multi-colored ParkerStore No. 15 in the 46th annual Knoxville Nationals. He finished second in the opening night preliminary feature and accumulated the most points to earn the pole position for Saturday’s finale. After dueling early with Joey Saldana, Schatz took control on lap 13 and raced away to capture the biggest win of his career.Schatz will compete in his 19th Nationals and wearing a special blue Simpson racesuit. Through a joint promotion between Tony Stewart Racing and STP one lucky fan will win the racesuit. Entrants will only be accepted on-site beginning, Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 12 noon, through Saturday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. Schatz will make his first laps in the suit during the opening night of the Knoxville Nationals on Aug. 8.