SCHATZ COMES UP SHORT IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALE
BRISBANE, QUS (Jan. 5) – Donny Schatz knew he needed a little help if he were going to come out victorious Saturday night at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway near Brisbane. The reigning World of Outlaws STP Sprint car champion was looking to capture his fifth Australian Sprintcar Open, and was hoping lapped traffic would help him navigate his way to the front. Unfortunately, the Fargo, N.D. native came up one position short in the 50-lap main event.
Schatz, who started the Monte Motorsport No. 17 Miracle Recreation Equipment/KRE powered J&J fourth, maneuvered lapped traffic, some cars better than others, and chased down race-long leader James McFadden, but couldn’t make a move for the lead in the race that went green for the final 45 laps.
“I threw everything at him (McFadden) but he didn’t hardly make a mistake,” admitted Schatz, following his second consecutive runner-up finish. “I got close enough a couple times to think about making a pass but there’s a difference between thinking about a pass and actually making one. I can’t say enough about these Monte Motorsport guys in my team. I guarantee you they have worked harder than any teams here this week but I couldn’t get the race win they deserved. I’m sorry for that.”
Schatz will conclude his Australian tour on Tuesday when he competes in the Summer Of Speed Capalaba Wreckers Sprintcar Cup which pays $10,000 to the winner.