From J&J
McKENZIE, TN (Jan. 14) – Donny Schatz carried the J&J Auto Racing banner last weekend in Australia sweeping the two-night ENZED World Series Sprintcars Australian Open event at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway in Brisbane, Queensland. Schatz raced the Monte Motorsport No. 15 Crimsafe/Gearwrench Shaver powered J&J to victory in both Friday’s 20-lap A-main and Saturday’s 50-lap finale.
“The car has worked really well over here,” admitted Schatz, winner of five of six races he’s competed in. “The track was different each night, but we were able to move around and run where we needed to. It’s fun when you have a car that operates that well. We’ve had a great time over here and hope the fans enjoyed it too.”
Schatz was the top qualifier Friday and led all 20 laps in the main event. He was chased throughout the event by Daniel Pestka, who qualified the No. S27 Gawler Farm Machine/Fuchs/KTM/Camden Neon Signs sponsored J&J third and started the main event second. He tracked Schatz throughout, but wasn’t able to make a bid for the lead or hold off James McFadden on the final lap. Pestkta would end up third.
In Saturday’s finale, Schatz started third and took the lead on lap 27 for good en route to his sixth Australian Open triumph. Pestka finished eighth in Saturday’s 50-lap race.
Other solid finishes… Dale Blaney continues to get a handle on David Doherty’s No. N6 J&J at Valvoline Raceway in Sydney. Last Wednesday night, he finished third and followed that on Saturday night by topping the field in qualifying. He scored his third straight top-five by finishing fifth in the NSW championship main event.