Photo Credit: DB3 Inc.
FARGO, N.D. (August 6, 2019) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series made their annual visit to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for the Ironman 55 weekend. Donny Schatz and the Toco Warranty / Ford Performance team had another solid weekend garnering two podium finishes.
The action kicked off Friday night with the Night Before the Ironman. Schatz timed in third quick to start the night and finished second in both his heat and the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash. The 35-lap main event began with Schatz and Brad Sweet battling side by side for the race lead. Sweet grabbed the top spot as Schatz settled into second.
With 11 to go, Sheldon Haudenschild traded sliders with Schatz before grabbing second.
Schatz was challenged in the closing laps by both Tim Shaffer and David Gravel, but the 10-time and defending series champion was able to hang on to round out the podium.
On Saturday, Schatz turned a lap that was fifth quick in time trials before finishing second in both his heat and the dash once again. Starting second in the 55-lap Ironman 55 feature, Schatz jumped out to the early lead. Schatz reached lapped traffic on lap six with Haudenschild and Shaffer in tow.
Haudenschild took over the lead on lap 11 with a bold move in lapped traffic. Once out front, Haudenschild drove away to a commanding lead. Meanwhile, Schatz continued to battle with Shaffer and Daryn Pittman for second.
At the checkers, Haudenschild won by a margin of 10.3 seconds on the one-third mile oval over Schatz, who held off Pittman in a great race for second.
“I thought I actually won; I couldn’t see him,” Schatz said after the race. “I thought maybe he had run out of fuel or pulled off or something. I can’t believe it went green to checkered. That was a whoopin’ right there.”
Schatz now sits just two points behind Brad Sweet in the series standings.
Next up, Schatz and the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 team will head to Knoxville, Iowa for sprint car racing’s biggest event, the 59th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. Schatz will continue to chase history as he pursues his 11th Nationals title.
Schatz’s qualifying night will be on Wednesday at the half-mile oval on the Marion County Fairgrounds. If you can’t make it to Knoxville, DIRTVision.com will have live pay-per-view coverage.
Schatz’s Statbook:
2019 Stats (World of Outlaws):
Races: 46
Wins: 7
Top Fives: 31
Top Tens: 42
STAY CONNECTED:
Website: DonnySchatz.com
Store: Store.DonnySchatz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnySchatz15/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DonnySchatz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/donnyschatz/
Tony Stewart Racing:
Website: TonyStewartRacing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TonyStewart_Rcg
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonystewart_rcg/
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Contact:
Mike Spieker
SpiekerPromotions.com