SCHATZ SECOND IN GOLD CUP FINALE
CHICO, Calif. (Sept. 9) – The end result of second wasn’t what four-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz was looking for Saturday night at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. He started the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) No. 15 STP/Armor All/Chevrolet J&J on the pole for the 40-lap race and chased eventual winner Kyle Larson to the finish line.
“We had a pretty respectable race car tonight,” said Schatz, “but Kyle was a lot better and got through traffic a lot better. This one was kind of on me. I thought the track was going to stay really wet and it ended up pretty slick in spots. The STP guys worked hard all weekend and have been doing a great job. Second isn’t what we wanted, but we’ve been in contention every night and that’s all you can ask for. In the big picture, if we can keep doing that, we’ll win more than we lose.”
The weekend was probably one of his best at Chico since he swept the 2004 Gold Cup. Starting with Thursday’s victory, and then following it up Friday with a quick time award and fourth place finish, Schatz was consistently good all weekend. In Saturday’s finale, he followed early-leader Tim Kaeding for the first three laps before Kaeding had something break on the Roth Motorsports No. 83. Schatz led laps four through seven before Larson took the lead. Schatz held the second the rest of the way to earn his 16th top-five finish in his last 18 starts.
The California Speedweek continues Sunday with a race at Calistoga Speedway. The event was originally scheduled for March 31, but was lost to rain. Monday Schatz will conclude the five race in five night swing through the Golden State with a race at Antioch Speedway. With his recent success, he has been able to regain the top spot in the WoO championship standings for the first time since the Brad Doty Classic. He heads to Calistoga with a 35-point advantage over Craig Dollansky.