|
By Tony
SUN PRAIRIE, Wisc. – August 21, 2016 -Donny Schatz has won at some of the most historic tracks in sprint car racing over the course of his 20 seasons on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. The seven-time and defending series champion added the legendary Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to that list on Sunday night as he picked up the win in the Sun Prairie Sprint Car Classic, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series in a co-sanctioned event.
For Schatz, it was his series-leading 18th win of the season as he added to his point lead, as he chases his eighth series title. Schatz has now won at 79 different tracks in his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. In five starts in the state of Wisconsin this year, he finished on the podium in all five, including picking up a pair of wins.
“This place has a ton of history and is very unique,” said Schatz. “It threw us for a loop with gear and everything. This race team is unreal with what they do with this race car when they unload every night. It was fast right out of the box and got us qualified well and we normally don’t qualify that well. It feels good to finally have your name on a track record.”
Schatz started second and battled Daryn Pittman in the early going, nearly taking the lead a couple of times. Schatz got by Pittman on the back straightaway on lap-17, but Pittman re-took the top spot before that lap was official. On the following circuit, Schatz used a strong restart, following a red flag, to power his way to the lead, on the low side of the track, exiting turn-two. He would pace the remainder of the 40-lap contest.
“The car worked better on the bottom,” he noted. “The top, I would get rolled over and a little bit too tight. I’ve been driving a late model the last three nights and I think that gave me a heads up on what rolling on the right rear feels like. The top was tricky. In (turns) one and two it was right up against the fence and you had to hit it just right to be able to keep your speed. The race track was just awesome. We had a good race with Daryn (Pittman). He had a good pace early and I wasn’t sure if we would be able to keep up with him. The longer we went, the better the car got.”
The 40-lap main event got off to a slow start, with a caution flag flying on the second lap, followed by a red flag, after a restart on that same circuit. Pittman led from the pole on the initial start as well as the ensuing two restarts. Schatz, who started third, moved into second on the opening lap and kept pace with Pittman, as the leaders encountered lapped traffic just five laps into the race.
“This is a fun place,” said Schatz. “I didn’t really know what the track was going to do. There was a top for a little bit and then a bottom. We were actually able to make the middle work as well. It was great to see a great crowd here tonight on such a short notice for a race. It was great to see all of the people and enthusiasm.” Just past the halfway point of the race, the leaders were in heavy lapped traffic, with Pittman closing back in on Schatz, who got hung up by a couple of slower machines. With 10 laps to go, Pittman was right on Schatz, but once the latter was able to clear a couple of lapped machines, he was able to pull away in the late going. Pittman led the first 17 laps from the pole.
“I just got beat,” said Pittman. “I had a good car early and a pretty decent car late and the track changed a lot and got really slick on the top to a huge curb. Like Donny (Schatz) said, it just wanted to get you rolled up into it, especially off (turn) two. We hung with him for the longest time and then he cleared a few of those lapped cars with five or six (laps) to go and pulled away. This is a fun race track. It was great to see a big crowd. It’s always fun to run in front of capacity crowds at these race tracks.”
Brad Sweet started on the outside of the front row and fell back a spot on the opening lap. For the second straight race, he had a spirited battle with David Gravel. This time it was for the third position. Sweet would claim the spot to secure two position on the podium for Kasey Kahne Racing.
“This place is known for getting that huge curb, right up by the wall,” said Sweet. “That creates great racing. It was really technical and you had to really watch for the lapped cars and try not to mess up. It seemed like with that curb, if you messed up you were basically in the wall. Thanks to all of the fans for coming out on short notice. We appreciate it.”
Gravel finished fourth to pick up his 35th top-five finish of the season. Logan Schuchart charged from the 11th starting spot to finish fifth. Shane Stewart crossed the line sixth, with Jason Johnson in seventh. Joey Saldana was eighth, with Jacob Allen ninth, to put both Shark Racing cars in the top-10. Paul McMahan rounded out the top-10. Mike Reinke was the highest finishing Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series driver, crossing the line 12th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, August 26 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the Second Leg of the Gerdau Northern Tour.
|
|
Angell Park Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman battled it out for the lead at the World of Outlaw Craftsman® Sprint Car Series debut visit to Angell Park Speedway. Ultimately, it was Schatz who broke away from Pittman and claimed his 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season, along with a new track record.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Scotty Thiel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Scotty Thiel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 18 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21); David Gravel – 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman – 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet – 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart – 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil’s Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana – 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil’s Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease – 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen – 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu – 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog – 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah – 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson – 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl – 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart – 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides – 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson – 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Angel Park Speedway, Wisc.; Augst 21, 2016
A-Main – (40 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz[3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[2][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel[4][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7][$2,200]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana[5][$2,100]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen[10][$2,050]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan[13][$2,000]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides[6][$1,500]; 12. O2-Mike Reinke[15][$1,200]; 13. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[9][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog[19][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[20][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[23][$900]; 17. 80K-Mike Kertscher[16][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[21][$800]; 19. 99-Kyle Marten[24][$800]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[18][$800]; 21. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[12][$800]; 22. 64-Scotty Thiel[17][$800]; 23. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[22][$800]; 24. 73-Brandon McMullen[14][$800]. Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+7].
Qualifying – 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.718; 2. 5-David Gravel, 11.812; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.881; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.926; 5. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.977; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.004; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.016; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.031; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.036; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.052; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.067; 12. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.090; 13. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.195; 14. 73-Brandon McMullen, 12.208; 15. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.281; 16. 80K-Mike Kertscher, 12.308; 17. 2W-Scotty Neitzel, 12.319; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.331; 19. O2-Mike Reinke, 12.405; 20. 59-Ben Schmidt, 12.426; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.341; 22. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 12.452; 23. 1M-Phillip Mock, 12.465; 24. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 12.469; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 26. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.623; 27. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.666; 28. 23B-Russell Borland, 12.675; 29. 7U-Scott Uttech, 12.732; 30. 53W-Bill Wirth, 12.751; 31. 12-Mike Decker, 12.772; 32. 4K-Kris Spitz, 12.844; 33. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.944; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.967; 35. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 13.099; 36. 41D-Dennis Spitz, 13.155; 37. 7V-Tim Vandervere, 13.260
Heat 1 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 3. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[5]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[2]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel[4]; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson[7]; 8. 7U-Scott Uttech[8]; 9. 79-Blake Nimee[9]; 10. 7V-Tim Vandervere[10]
Heat 2 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 5-David Gravel[1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[2]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen[3]; 4. 73-Brandon McMullen[4]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[5]; 6. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[6]; 7. 99-Kyle Marten[7]; 8. 53W-Bill Wirth[8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]
Heat 3 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 2-Shane Stewart[1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 4. O2-Mike Reinke[5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog[4]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[6]; 7. 10V-Matt Vandervere[9]; 8. 68-Dave Uttech[7]; 9. 12-Mike Decker[8]
Heat 4 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides[2]; 3. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[3]; 4. 80K-Mike Kertscher[4]; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6]; 6. 59-Ben Schmidt[5]; 7. 23B-Russell Borland[7]; 8. 4K-Kris Spitz[8]; 9. 41D-Dennis Spitz[9]
Craftsman Club Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 9-Daryn Pittman[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[6]; 4. 5-David Gravel[5]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[3]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides[8]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[4]
Last Chance Showdown – (12 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2] [-]; 2. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[3] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 99-Kyle Marten[6] [-]; 5. 59-Ben Schmidt[1] [$300]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[4] [$250]; 7. 7U-Scott Uttech[9] [$225]; 8. 79-Blake Nimee[13] [$200]; 9. 23B-Russell Borland[8] [$200]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp[14] [$200]; 11. 10V-Matt Vandervere[15] [$200]; 12. 53W-Bill Wirth[10] [$200]; 13. 4K-Kris Spitz[12] [$200]; 14. 41D-Dennis Spitz[16] [$200]; 15. 7V-Tim Vandervere[17] [$200]; 16. 68-Dave Uttech[7] [$200]; 17. 12-Mike Decker[11] [$200]
|