TSR’S COUNTDOWN TO THE KNOXVILLE NATIONALS
Schatz Makes it Back-to-Back
Editor’s Note: During each of the 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.
With the pressure of winning the Knoxville Nationals off his back, Donny Schatz entered the 2007 Knoxville Nationals as confident as a driver could be. Just weeks earlier he had pocketed $100,000 in earnings in an eight-week span that included a Kings Royal victory, Silver Cup triumph and a Summer Nationals win. Rain pushed Wednesday’s qualifying program to Friday, but it didn’t slow Schatz in his charge to repeat. He finished second and again scored the most points through the two qualifying nights. The Fargo, N.D. driver led the 24 car field to the green flag in Saturday’s 30-lap finale and led every lap. There was a close call following a mid-race restart, but Schatz proved he wasn’t going to be denied.
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.