Five-time WOO champ Schatz returns to Stockton in March

Donny Schatz. - T.J. Buffenbarger Photo

By Gary Thomas

Donny Schatz. - T.J. Buffenbarger Photo
Donny Schatz. – T.J. Buffenbarger Photo

Five-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz charged from 13th to third last season at the Stockton Dirt Track & will be gunning to move up a couple more spots in the rundown on Saturday March 22 during the “FVP Western Spring Shootout.” The Fargo, North Dakota veteran in January was named the 2013 “North American 410 Sprint Car Driver of the Year” for the sixth time in his future Hall of Fame career.

The pilot of the Tony Stewart Racing/ STP No. 15 finished runner up in the World of Outlaws standings last season & will be looking to get back atop the ladder in 2014. Schatz last year led the series with an amazing 23 main event wins throughout the campaign, including his seventh career Knoxville Nationals title. His victory at the Nationals came in historic fashion, by carving his way from the 21st starting spot to claim the impressive win.

Going into the 2014 season Schatz ranks fourth on the all-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series win list, having earned 147 A-main wins with the tour.

Two-night adult General Admission tickets for the March 21 & 22 weekend are available for $50 & two-night Reserved Grandstand tickets cost $70. Single-night tickets & box seats are also available. Children prices are available in GA only. To purchase two-night package advance tickets log onto http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/ordertickets.asp?p=447 or call (877) 395-8606.

Fans who pre-buy their March 21 & 22 weekend tickets will also be in a drawing for a special dinner with Schatz’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate Steve Kinser. Stockton Dirt Track promoters Tony & Carol Noceti are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity for five select couples to have “Dinner with the King” at the El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House on Thursday night March 20.

The drawing will work simply as follows. Five names will be randomly drawn out of the pre-ticket sales for the Stockton Dirt Track March 21 & 22 weekend. Those lucky winners will be invited to the special dinner on March 20 with Steve Kinser at the El Rancho Inn – Steak& Lobster House, which is located off Charter Way/MLK Blvd and Mariposa Road in Stockton, California.

The deadline to pre-buy your March 21 & 22 weekend tickets and still be eligible for the special “Dinner with the King” drawing is Thursday March 13.

The Friday March 21 opener in Stockton is also the only show in the state on that night for Winged 360 Sprint Cars & Midgets, which means many of the best drivers from around California in both divisions are expected for the event. Last November’s Winged 360 show brought 39 entrants to the Stockton Dirt Track and was claimed by San Jose’s Tim Kaeding over Rutherford’s Rico Abreu and a hard charging Geoff Ensign from Sebastopol.

For those coming to the Stockton Dirt Track for the March 21 & 22 double-header and looking for a great breakfast spot, be sure & check out the Ranch Coffee Shop located near the track at 1872 E. Mariposa Rd, Stockton, CA 95205. When leaving the fairgrounds and heading back in the direction of Highway 99, turn slight right onto Mariposa Rd and it’s just a short distance down on your left hand side.

The Stockton Dirt Track is a lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval and is located on the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, California. It is built inside a one-mile horse track and boasts one of the nicest dirt track facilities in the state. Camping will also be available during the weekend with a number of great spots for RV’s and Campers on the fairgrounds. Camping reservations can be made by contacting 916-370-9417. The physical address for the Stockton Dirt Track is 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206.

For information on the speedway visit http://www.stocktondirttrack.com/ & info on the World of Outlaws can be viewed at http://www.woosprint.com/