Schatz Tears Through Ohio and Scores Kings Royal Runner-up

Fargo, N.D. (July 22, 2024) – Donny Schatz tore through the state of Ohio last weekend, going +48 in three features with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, culminating with a second place finish in the 41st annual Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway in the CarQuest / Ford Performance No. 15.

Schatz finished eighth in his qualifying group Tuesday night at Attica Raceway Park and third in his heat race which set up an 11th place start in the Brad Doty Classic.

Schatz struggled early as he narrowly avoided accidents at the start of the race that left his nose wing damaged. After the fifth caution of the race on lap 18, Schatz lined back up on the outside of the third double-file row.

When the green flew again, Schatz was inside the top five for the first time and battled Kyle Larson for fourth.

The crew didn’t repair the front wing damage during the lap 28 fuel stop but that didn’t stop Schatz from going from fourth to second on the ensuing restart, passing both Larson and Carson Macedo to take the runner-up spot. Schatz closed in on David Gravel late but his first charge of the weekend ended as a runner-up to Gravel.

After going +9 in High Limit features Wednesday and Thursday at Eldora, Schatz began his Kings Royal title defense Friday night with the Outlaws at the Knight Before the Kings Royal.

Schatz struggled early on in the night at Eldora and ended up having to use a provisional to start 25th in the main event. 

From there it was another charge through the field that didn’t really get going until a pair of red flags on lap 10. On the restart, Schatz was up to 14th and moving, passing Brent Marks to move into the top 10 on lap 18.

Schatz then went three-wide with Spencer Bayston and Buddy Kofoid in a bid for seventh and then got by James McFadden for sixth. Schatz continued forward, passing Tyler Courtney and Parker Price-Miller to move up to fourth where his charge finished with another KSE Hard Charger Award.

On Saturday, Schatz again had another proverbial ‘trick up his sleeve.’ After finishing third quick in qualifying and fifth in his heat race, Schatz lined up on the outside of the 10th row in the 40-lap Kings Royal main event.

Schatz’s climb started from the drop of the green Saturday night as he cut his deficit in half by lap 11, making his first appearance in the top 10 at that point. 

After the fuel stop on lap 17, Schatz split Jacob Allen and Sheldon Haudenschild to improve to third with half of the race remaining. Schatz then took second from Logan Schuchart and began to march forward towards David Gravel, once again in a bid to defend his Kings Royal title.

On lap 26, Schatz pulled even with Gravel for the first time, splitting Landon Crawley as they waged war for the lead. Schatz got balked a bit in the traffic but regained his momentum and pulled back even on lap 31, taking the lead one lap later.

Schatz pulled in front by about a half straightaway from there but Gravel reeled him back in and took the lead back on lap 34. Lap 37 saw the lead duo go side-by-side again in a winner-take-all battle for the Kings Royal crown.

They switched lines with two to go, as Gravel took the bottom to protect, but swapped again on the final lap as Gravel went on to win the race over Schatz who finished his Outlaw weekend +48 in three nights.

“We were a little short, Schatz said post race. “Happy that we got there. The guys did a great job all week. We had to change a few motors and get things the way we needed. It stings a little bit to get there but the car felt really good. The last eight laps of those 40 at this race is a whole different dynamic. I got to the lead and I started to just slip a little bit and I didn’t dare let my tires slip once or I knew I was never going to get them back. As that fuel load came off, I started struggling and David got up there (on the cushion) and got the job done”

This week Schatz and the Outlaws head back to Central Pennsylvania and New York with races at BAPS Motor Speedway on Wednesday, Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday and Weedsport Speedway in New York on Sunday,

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, J&J Auto Racing, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts

2024 Stats:
Races: 39
Wins: 3
Top Fives: 21
Top Tens: 35