BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND – Donny Schatz continued his remarkable 2014 by racing to victory at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway in the opener of his six-race 2014/15 Australian tour. Schatz wheeled the Scott Jennings Racing (SJR) No. 15 Crimsafe/NT Shipping J&J to victory in the 35-lap main event.
“We always enjoy coming back to Brisbane,” admitted the winner. “We tried some things tonight and learned a few things that will hopefully help us while we are here. Eric (Prutzman) came over with me from my TSR team and he did a great job tonight. The crowd was tremendous and hopefully we gave them their moneys worth.”
Schatz opened the program by topping the field in qualifying pacing the 32-car field. The six-time WoO champion raced from eighth to first in the opening heat and then eighth to second in his next heat race. He finished second to fellow American Davey Heskin in the dash event before taking the victory in the main event. The win was his 30th of 2014 and proved to be his final of the calendar year after Saturday’s meeting at Brisbane was canceled because of rain.
“The track really slicked off in the feature,” said Schatz. “Everyone here did a fantastic job. John and Kathy Kelly and everyone working here gave us a great setting to have some fun. We’re excited. You always want to win, but having fun is part of my Australian tours and we’re already have a lot of fun.”
Saturday’s race, which was called because of persistent rain, will be made up on Saturday, January 3. Schatz will resume action in Brisbane on Thursday in the annual New Year’s Day event.