DE LEON SPRINGS, Florida (February 9, 2023) – It’s opening night for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. The country’s premier dirt track touring series embarks on its grueling 87-race season tonight at the country’s fastest half-mile, Volusia Speedway Park.
All the excitement and the anticipation of the offseason culminates with tonight’s season opener. For Tony Stewart / Curb-Agajanian Racing driver Donny Schatz, it’s simply the first round of trying to get his team back to where they strive to be; in victory lane and back on top of the point standings, chasing another series title.
Volusia Speedway Park has been good to Schatz over the years. The 10-time World of Outlaws champion has 14 career wins at the half-mile D-shaped oval, four of which have come on the season opener. Over the past five openers, Schatz has five top fives and a pair of wins for an incredible average finish of 2.8.
Schatz scored the first of his five wins in 2022 on opening night last season.
It looks as though that strong stat line may continue. Schatz appeared very strong during Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions action earlier this week at Volusia, in what was sort of a tune-up leading up to the World of Outlaws opener.
Last night, Schatz put on a memorable performance, taking the lead on lap 20 and going on to finish second to Carson Macedo. But that is just the beginning of the story.
Starting third, Schatz was battling with Pennsylvania driver Anthony Macri early on in the feature when he and Macri made contact entering turn three. As a result, Schatz’s nose wing was twisted on the Advance Auto Parts / Ford Performance machine, but surprisingly, it did not slow down Schatz.
After the contact, Schatz fell back to fifth but made a mid-race rally all the way up to second before making a thrilling pass for the lead on Macedo. Just as Schatz took the point, his damaged nose wing went from being twisted to flipping up on the hood, severely changing the handling of his car.
Still, Schatz was able to hold down the runner-up spot for the final 10 circuits.
World of Outlaws action at Volusia begins tonight and continues through Saturday. If you can’t make it to the track, watch live on DIRTVision.com.
Schatz and the entire Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team would like to thank all of their great partners for their continued support!
Carquest Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts, Curb Records, Ford Performance, Sage Fruit,Mobil 1, Absolute Automation & Security, Nivel Parts & Manufacturing, Hunt Brothers Pizza, J&J Auto Racing, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts
Previous World of Outlaws Results at Volusia Speedway Park:
2022 – 1st on Feb. 10th (started 2nd; led all 25 laps); 7th on Feb. 11th (started 12th); 6th on Feb. 12th (started 7th)
2021 – 3rd on Feb. 5th (started 18th); Rained out on Feb. 6th; 15th on Feb. 7th (led 28 laps)
2020 – 1st on Feb. 7th (started 1st; led 9 laps) 6th on Feb. 8th (started 9th); 7th on Feb. 10th (started 9th)
2019 – 5th on Feb. 8 (started 10th); 4th on Feb. 9; Rained out on Feb. 10
2018 – 4th on Feb. 9 (started 14th); 1st on Feb. 10 (started 6th; led 2 laps); 1st on Feb. 11 (started 4th; led 27 laps)
2017 – 14th on Feb. 17 (started 16th); 1st on Feb. 19 (started on the pole; led 12 laps); 1st on Feb. 19 (started 17th; led 2 laps)
2016 – 18th on Feb. 12 (started 17th); 1st on Feb. 13 (started 5th; led 9 laps); 8th on Feb. 14 (started 12th)
2015 – 2nd on Feb. 13 (started 6th; led 4 laps); 1st on Feb. 14 (started 2nd; led 23 laps); 10th on Feb. 15 (started 17th)
2014 – 12th on Feb. 14 (started 20th); 1st on Feb. 15 (started 11th; led 8 laps); 3rd on Feb. 16 (started 3rd)
2013 – 8th on Feb. 15 (started 22nd); 22nd on Feb. 16 (started 8th); 4th on Feb. 17 (started 14th)
2012 – 4th on Feb. 18 (started 15th); 1st on Feb. 19 (started on the pole; led all 20 laps); 2nd on Feb. 19 (started on the pole)
2011 – 15th on Feb. 11 (started 18th); 2nd on Feb. 12 (started 7th); 17th on Feb. 13 (started 20th)
2010 – 1st on Feb. 6 (started 3rd; led 20 laps); 4th on Feb. 7 (started 6th)
2009 – 1st on Feb. 6 (started on the pole; led 20 laps); 8th on Feb. 7 (started 11th); 1st on Feb. 8 (started 4th; led all 30 laps)
2008 – 2nd on Feb. 8 (started 4th); 2nd on Feb. 9 (started 3rd; led 3 laps); 8th on Feb. 10 (started 24th)
2007 – 1st on Feb. 9 (started on the pole; led 14 laps); 3rd on Feb. 10 (started 5th); 3rd on Feb. 10 (started 6th)
2006 – 2nd on Feb. 9, 14th on Feb. 10
2005 – 19th on Feb. 11 (led 10 laps); 15th on Feb. 13
Photo by Frank Smith.