FARGO, N.D. (September 5, 2023) – Off the heels of a 1,500 mile trip from Fargo, North Dakota to Skagit Speedway in Burlington, Washington, Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart / Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 team was geared up for four races in five nights over Labor Day weekend. 

Schatz was consistent all weekend long, picking up top tens in all four races, highlighted by Monday night’s performance at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington. 

After a strong run in the dash to go from sixth to third, Schatz started the 30-lap feature from the inside of row three. As the race got underway, Rico Abreu found a way around Schatz before Schatz and Buddy Kofoid engaged in a spirited battle for the fourth position. 

Kofoid had the position until he clipped an infield tractor tire in turn four to bring out a caution. 

Schatz ran in the fourth spot until the final caution flew with three laps to go. 

On the restart, Schatz ran the bottom to perfection to race by series points leader Brad Sweet. Sweet came charging back on the final lap, but Schatz was able to fend him off for the final podium position. 

“All in all, it was a good night. These Advanced Auto Parts guys did a great job. We were competitive all night and if we could have stayed in traffic a bit longer, I think we could have moved around a little more and done something,” said Schatz post-race. “It’s been a pretty West Coast swing, which isn’t typical for us. Looking forward to the rest of it.” 

After sixth and fourth place runs, respectively, in the first two nights of the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals, Schatz was focused on taking home the $26,000 top prize on Saturday night. However, the 15 team had to dig out of a hole early after timing in 20th quick as the 25th car out for qualifying out of the 32 cars entered. 

Schatz worked his way forward in the heat to advance into a transfer spot and earn the 16th place starting position for the A-main. 

The 10-time series champion moved up the running order throughout the 35 lap finale, taking home a ninth place finish. 

The Advance Auto Parts / Ford Performance team now shifts their focus to the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California this week. 

Schatz will enter the weekend sitting sixth in the series standings. He currently rides a streak of 15 consecutive top 10 finishes that dates back to July 22nd at Williams Grove Speedway. 

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

Weekend Results:

8/31/23
Skagit Speedway
Qualifying: 6th
Heat: 1st
Dash: 8th
Feature: 6th

9/1/23
Skagit Speedway
Qualifying: 15th
Heat: 1st
Dash: 5th
Feature: 4th

9/2/23
Skagit Speedway
Qualifying: 20th
Heat: 4th
Feature: 9th

9/4/23
Grays Harbor Raceway
Qualifying: 3rd
Heat: 2nd
Dash: 3rd
Feature: 3rd