Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Donny Schatz picked up right where they left off last week as the World of Outlaws (WoO) STP Sprint Car Series continued the 2014 campaign with three races following a two-week break in the schedule. Schatz became the season’s first repeat winner Thursday by scoring the victory in the FVP Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He added a pair of top-fives behind the wheel of the TSR No. 15 STP/Armor All/Crimsafe J&J.
The action began Wednesday with the Outlaws’ return to Las Vegas. Schatz was the first driver to take a qualifying lap around the half-mile, dirt oval and ended up second-fastest in the field of 37 cars. Schatz sixth in the dash after coming home second in heat two. In the 30-lap A-Feature, Kerry Madsen led the first 18 laps prior to giving way to Paul McMahan. Schatz raced for the fifth position throughout the main event and ultimately finished fifth.
Night two of action in Las Vegas kicked off with both Schatz going out late in the qualifying order. Schatz timed in 11th and finished second in heat three to advance into the dash. Schatz finished behind Kinser in the dash, and “The King of the Outlaws” got the jump at the start of the 30-lap A-Feature. He led the field for the first nine laps before Schatz began his assault on Kinser seven laps into the race. Schatz took the lead coming out of turn four on lap 10, but Kinser returned the favor with a low move in turn two to lead lap 11. Schatz regained the point on lap 12 and led the final 19 laps to earn his eighth career WoO A-Feature win at The Dirt Track, the most by any driver. The victory for Schatz was the 149th of his career and moves the five-time WoO STP Sprint Car Series champion to within three wins of tying Mark Kinser (152) for third all-time.
The Outlaws headed to Arizona Saturday for the NAPA Auto Parts Wildcat Shootout presented by RideNow Powersports at Tucson International Raceway. Once again, Schatz went out late in the qualifying order being the 24th car to circle the 3/8-mile dirt oval. Schatz would time in sixth in the field of 29 cars and finish fourth in heat three to transfer to the 25-lap A-Feature. Schatz made the most of the early laps, racing from 12th to fifth, and then joined a spirited battle with Kinser and Daryn Pittman. Brad Sweet started on the pole alongside Madsen, who led the first three laps. Sweet took the lead on lap four and led the rest of the way. Madsen finished second ahead of Kinser, Pittman and Schatz.
Following the results of last week, Schatz ranks third in the 2014 WoO STP Sprint Car Series championship standings with 859 points. He trails leader McMahan by eight markers and is a single point behind Sweet.
Next up for Schatz is a doubleheader Friday and Saturday at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., with complete programs both nights.