Outlaws Return to Historic Devil’s Bowl Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2014) – It’s back to work in Texas for Donny Schatz this weekend. The five-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion is looking to back to victory lane on the rugged Outlaw trail. This weekend, it’s back to historic Devil’s Bowl Speedway, the site of the very first WoO race in March 1978. Schatz, along with the rest of the World of Outlaws (WoO) STP Sprint Car Series competitors, return to the famous venue for the first time since 2003 for the two-night Texas Outlaw Nationals presented by American Racing Custom Wheels.
For Schatz, pilot of the TSR No. 15 STP/Armor All/Crimsafe J&J, the return to Devil’s Bowl is another opportunity to add one of the Outlaws’ original tracks to his win list. The five-time WoO STP Series champion 7 months old when that first WoO weekend was staged. He first made laps on the Texas oval as a WoO rookie in 1997. A year later, he had one of his early career highlights in March 1998 when the North Dakota youngster battled wheel-to-wheel with Kinser for the victory, ultimately finishing second by a car-length.
Schatz also has ties to that first-ever WoO event back in in 1978. Jimmy Boyd won that first historic race driving for car owner and crew chief Kenny Woodruff. Woodruff worked with Schatz during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons and the duo won numerous WoO races together. Schatz is seeking history himself this weekend in the Lone Star State as he looks to earn career WoO A-Feature win number 150. Only three drivers in WoO history have reached that lofty tally – Kinser, Sammy Swindell and Mark Kinser.
The STP driver comes into El Paso with impressive numbers through 15 nights of racing. He’s scored wins at Volusia in February and Las Vegas in March, is tied with Brad Sweet with a series-best nine top-fives, and has 12 top-10s. He ranks third in the standings trailing Daryn Pittman by six markers.
For both Friday and Saturday programs at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, the pit gate opens at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit dirtcar.ticketforce.com/ordertickets.asp?p=447, or call (877) 395-8606.
Race fans unable to attend this weekend’s races can catch all of the action on DIRTVision.com. Fans can listen live as Johnny Gibson, “Voice of the Outlaws,” calls the action as he does at all WoO Sprint Series events on the DIRTVision.com cybercast, as well as on the DIRT Radio Network. Go to www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the site features, including updated results from each night of racing, as well as a chat room to interact with other race fans.
Donny Schatz, Driver of the No. 15 TSR/STP/Armor All/Crimsafe J&J:
It was 2003 when you last visited Devil’s Bowl and you obviously are well aware of the history of the track. What are your thoughts about the Texas half-mile heading into the weekend?
“I remember when I first went there like it was yesterday. I was just rookie trying to figure it out and now, 17 years later, I’m still doing what I love. We haven’t had great success there in the past, but I’m really looking forward to getting back there. It’s definitely a unique surface, it’s tricky to be able to race there. You look forward to that. It’s where you can be better than someone else because it’s not an easy place to get around. I look forward to trying to have a great run. Getting a win there has been elusive to us, but these STP guys (Rick Warner, Steve Swenson and Eric Prutzman) are really motivated to get us a Texas win. Las Vegas was too long ago and we’re all chomping to get that next win.”
This weekend, several of the drivers who were original Outlaws will be on hand. How special will it be for you to not only compete in front of them at Devil’s Bowl, but also get the chance to meet and talk with them?
“There’s a great sense of pride when you walk into any racetrack racing with the World of Outlaws. We all love to do this. We try to do the best job we can for our marketing partners and have a little fun along the way, but you have to make it another race, and we’re there to try to win it and go on to the next one. It’s just a very unique place and, going to Dallas, there are a lot of neat things to do and see. There’s a lot of history at that racetrack. It’s where the World of Outlaws got its start. It will bring back a lot of old memories and hopefully we’ll make some new ones. When I was 5 years old, I dreamed of doing this. Now I’m 36 and, 31 years ago, my dream started and now I live it every day. It’s great to see those guys who still have a love for the sport and come and see the fans and be a part of the festivities and all the things that go on at the racetracks. It’s definitely very humbling. I’m sure there will come a day when I get to that point when I get that opportunity, too. At this time, I just enjoy being a race driver and being part of the show.”
About Armored AutoGroup
Armored AutoGroup Inc., headquartered in Danbury, Conn., is primarily comprised of the Armor All®, STP® and Tuff Stuff® brands. The current Armor All product line of protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products and car washes are designed to clean, shine and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces. The STP product line of fuel and oil additives, functional fluids and automotive appearance products have a broad customer base ranging from professional racers to car enthusiasts and “Do-it-Yourselfers”. Tuff Stuff cleaning products are formulated to tackle the toughest jobs.
Armored AutoGroup has a diversified geographic footprint with direct operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and the U.K. and distributor relationships in approximately 50 countries. For more information, please visit www.armorall.com and www.stp.com.