By Mike Spieker

BRISBANE, Queensland (December 25, 2018) – The 2018 season will officially come to an end for Donny Schatz in the coming days at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway near Brisbane, Australia. Schatz’s first event of his six-race Australian tour is set for Wednesday, December 26th, followed by action on Saturday, December 29th. If Schatz can visit victory lane on December 29th, it will mark five consecutive years in which he has ended the calendar year with a win.

Schatz’s 2019 season will commence on New Year’s Day at Archerfield Speedway, followed by the opening night of the Titan Garages Australian Sprint Car Open on Friday, January 4th and the 50-lap, $20,000-to-win final on Saturday, January 5th. Schatz’s visit down under will conclude with the World Series Sprint Cars on Wednesday, January 9th.

Schatz comes in as the eight-time and defending Australian Sprint Car Open champion. In a dominating performance during last year’s Australian Sprint Car Open, Schatz lapped up to the seventh position and took the checkers by 10.5 seconds over Kerry Madsen.

The victory was Schatz’s 25th career World Series Sprint Car main event win, tying him with the late Jason Johnson for third on the all-time wins list.

“We’re really excited to be here and looking forward to another great time,” said Schatz. “Coming over here for 20-plus years has allowed me to build some great relationships and racing on Boxing Day and New Years is a great way to end one year and begin another.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Lannie Nichols has traveled to Australia to assist Schatz with his machine. Fellow World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competitor, Jason Sides, is also a part of Schatz’s team down under.

Schatz will be piloting his familiar green, white and black colors on his J&J No. 15.

Archerfield Speedway Track Facts:
Distance: .25 mile
Banking: Semi-banked
Surface: Clay
Track Records:
     One-Lap: 11.020 seconds set by Shane Stewart on March 30, 2013
     50-Lap: 12.16.309 set by Donny Schatz on January 10, 2009
Website: www.brisbanespeedway.com.au
Facebook: Archerfield Speedway
Twitter: @ArcherSpeedway

Upcoming events at Archerfield Speedway:
December 26th – Boxing Day Spectacular
December 29th
January 1st
January 4th – World Series Australian Sprint Car Open
January 5th – World Series Australian Sprint Car Open
January 9th – World Series Sprint Cars

Pay-Per-View coverage is available for the events on December 26th and 29th and January 1st through Clay-Per-View.

Photo courtesy of Lannie Nichols.