Schatz’s Podium Finish at Lake Ozark Highlights Rain Shortened Weekend

May 1, 2019May 9, 2019 Mike Spieker 0 Comment

Photo credit: DB3 Imaging

FARGO, N.D. (April 30, 2019) – The big tripleheader weekend for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series was condensed to a mere race and a half this past weekend due to wet, rainy conditions.

Friday was the only event unaffected by Mother Nature as the World of Outlaws made their first and only appearance of the season to Lake Ozark Speedway in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

Schatz began the 40-lap main event in the seventh starting position aboard his new Toco Warranty No. 15 machine. Schatz moved his way forward in the running order on the multi-grooved one-third mile oval.

The Fargo, N.D. driver crept his way into the top five with nine laps remaining and set his sights on David Gravel and Brad Sweet, who were battling for the lead. On the final lap, Schatz placed a bid on second as he drove to the inside of Gravel, but was forced to settle for third at the line.

Saturday’s event at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 was canceled due to rain, while Sunday’s program at Jacksonville Speedway was rained out just before feature action. The World of Outlaws and Jacksonville Speedway are working on a make-up date.

“I’m proud of my guys for their effort on Friday. We had a good car and closed in on the leaders in the final laps, but just ran out of time. It would have been great to get a win for Toco right off the bat, but we’ll go to work this weekend at Riverside and Tri-State Speedway and try to get them in victory lane,” said Schatz.

The Outlaws will be making their 11th appearance to Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas on Friday night. The series made its return to the one-third mile oval in 2018 after a nine-year hiatus. Schatz has one career victory there in five starts, which came on July 5, 2008 after he started on the outside of the front row.

Saturday night will mark the Schatz’s 20th event at Haubstadt’s Tri-State Speedway. The tricky quarter-mile has yet to yield a feature win for the 10-time and defending series champion. However, Schatz has a solid record at the speedway, racking up six top fives and 14 top tens overall.

Schatz enters the weekend second in the point standings, eight points behind Sweet.

Schatz’s Statbook:
2019 Stats (World of Outlaws):
Races: 13
Wins: 1
Top Fives: 9
Top Tens: 13

Riverside Int’l Speedway – West Memphis, Arkansas
Previous Results
2018 – 8th on April 21 (started 16th)
2009 – 18th on April 24 (started 21st)
2008 – 1st on July 5 (started 2nd)
2007 – 14th on May 5 (started 17th)

Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt, Indiana
Previous Results
2018 – 5th on May 13 (started 12th)
2017 – 11th on May 14 (started 10th)
2016 – 4th on May 14 (started 3rd)
2015 – 4th on May 3 (started 20th)
2014 – 6th on May 10 (started 22nd)
2013 – 11th on April 20 (started 24th)
2012 – 9th on April 21 (started 6th)
2011 – 11th on May 30 (started 9th)
2010 – 4th on Oct. 16 (started 2nd; lead 19 laps)
2009 – 22nd on June 25 (started 14th)
2008 – 3rd on July 6 (started 6th)
2007 – 6th on April 21 (started 18th)
2006 – 10th on April 15
2005 – 8th on April 16
2004 – 4th on Oct. 8
1999 – 6th on May 16
1998 – 14th on May 10; 10th on June 21
1997 – 6th on May 11; 11th on June 22