From J&J
McKENZIE, TN – The summer racing season in Australia continues to heat up and J&J racers Donny Schatz, Jamie Maoilo and Danny Pestka were all recent winners. Schatz scored consecutive wins at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway (TSS) posting a thrilling triumph in the $50K Scott Darley Memorial on Saturday and backed it up with another win on Wednesday night. Maiolo led a J&J one-two finish in Round 9 of the AHG Sprintcar Series held at the Attwell Park Speedway. Pestka scored his first career Sprintcar triumph in Round 6 of the Revolution Racegear Speedway City Track Championship.
TYREPOWER SYDNEY SPEEDWAY
SCOTT DARLEY MEMORIAL – SATURDAY
After finishing third, second and seventh in his first three Australia starts, four-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz knew it was time to get back to first. Schatz wasn’t to be denied in the 12th annual Scott Darley Memorial at TSS. He raced Gary Rush Racing’s No. 15 Pick-N-Payless sponsored Shaver-powered J&J to the win. It was the ninth time he won the race.
“That was a heck of a race,” admitted the winner following the arc. “If I enjoyed it that much – the fans must have loved it. I am so excited after that one! We have been struggling in the last few shows and tonight we went back to square one – and this is square one.”
Schatz started seventh and moved into contention midway through the 40-lap race. He took the led on lap 33 and drove away from the competition during the next five laps. With only two laps remaining, Schatz’ run nearly came to an end when Cody Darrah spun just in front of the leader. Schatz had to get out of the gas to avoid the spinning car, which allowed Craig Dollansky to retake the lead. Schatz got back to speed and used a final corner pass to take the win.
Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart brought home the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 J&J fifth.
SPRINTCAR INTERNATIONAL – WEDNESDAY
Following Saturday’s triumph, Donny Schatz was feeling good about the direction his racecar was going. It was strong again on Wednesday night and Schatz drove the Gary Rush Racing No. 15 J&J to victory from the eighth starting position.
“The boys did a great job tonight,” said Schatz. “The car was awesome. It’s fun to race on a track like we had tonight where you can use the high line and the low line and there’s something in the middle. There were three different lines out there tonight.”
Schatz raced from ninth to fifth in the first heat and then won the fourth heat. In the 35-lap main event, the Fargo, N.D. native was up to second by lap nine. Shortly after, Schatz took command and was in control for the duration that included a number of yellow flags.
Tony Stewart gave J&J two finishers on the podium as he raced the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 J&J from 10th to finish third.
AHG SPRINTCAR SERIES – SATURDAY
Jamie Maiolo was Saturday’s victor at Attwell Park Speedway in AHG Sprintcar Series action. Maiolo raced the LJM Racing No. 99 J&J to victory ahead of Luch Monte in the Monte Motorsport No. 17 J&J.
Maiolo led from the start beating Monte to the green flag. The race was slowed a couple of times for accidents and Maiolo was up to the task leading the final eight laps which went nonstop on the dry slick surface.
SPEEDWAY CITY- SATURDAY
Danny Pestka celebrated his first Sprint car triumph on Saturday night by leading all 25 laps of the feature event at Speedway City. This is only his third season racing Sprintcars and the 19-year-old was thrilled to be the victor behind the wheel of the No. 27 J&J.
“I am just relieved that we have finally got a win,” said Pestka, a former two-time Australian Junior Dirt Kart Champion. “We have been on the podium a few times before but this is what we wanted. I really must thank my parents for all the support on my racing over the years.”