Schatz Collects First Outlaws Win at Red River Valley Speedway Since 2006

By Mike Spieker

WEST FARGO – A crowd of nearly 6,000 race fans packed the stands Saturday night at Red River Valley Speedway for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series’ only appearance of the 2018 season.

The crowd was cheering on Fargo driver and current World of Outlaws point leader, Donny Schatz, and he did not disappoint.

A focused Donny Schatz sits in his Tony Stewart Racing sprint car before hot laps at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo on Saturday.

Schatz took the lead with just seven laps remaining to pick up his first World of Outlaws win at his home track since 2006.

“This is what you live for,” said an elated Schatz in victory lane. “When you race close to home, you hope for the opportunity to put on a good show, finish well and win some races. I’m so fortunate for my team, they are the reason I’m standing here. We’ve been together for a long time and we have a lot of fun doing this. It’s awesome to be here, it’s awesome to see this crowd tonight.”

Schatz began the night by setting the fastest lap in time trials with a lap of 13.230 seconds around the three-eighths-mile oval, averaging 102mph. From there, Schatz won his heat race and finished third in the Sears/Craftsman dash, which earned him the third starting position for the 30-lap, $10,000-to-win feature.

Donny Schatz of Fargo rounds turn three at Red River Valley Speedway during World of Outlaws time trials.

Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel jumped out to the early lead over Jacob Allen of Hanover, Pa. Gravel and Allen battled for the top spot for the first half of the race until Schatz reeled both of them amidst lapped traffic.

Local competitor, Thomas Kennedy of Winnipeg, Man., had started 12th on the grid but was running sixth when he spun on lap 18 to bring out the caution.

On the restart, Schatz moved by Allen for second before taking advantage of the next restart on lap 23. The Fargo driver dove to the inside of turn three and slid across the track to take the lead away from Gravel exiting turn four. Two laps later, Gravel’s strong run came to an end after he suffered a flat right rear tire.

Donny Schatz (15) and David Gravel (5) battle for the lead during the World of Outlaws Sprint Car feature Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo.

Allen, who inherited second following Gravel’s misfortune, remained within striking distance of Schatz in the closing laps, but Schatz held a steady line around the high side of the speedway to collect his fifth career World of Outlaws win at Red River Valley Speedway.