Schatz grabs podium finish at Jason Johnson Classic
FARGO, N.D. (October 19, 2020) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returned to the heartland this past weekend with visits to tracks in Kansas and Missouri. The weekend for the Tony Stewart / Curb-Agajanian Racing team was highlighted by Donny Schatz’s podium run on Saturday night at the Jason Johnson Classic at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri.
Starting third on the grid for the 41-lap feature in honor of former Knoxville Nationals champion, Jason Johnson, Schatz battled early on with Gio Scezli and Aaron Reutzel.
The 10-time World of Outlaws champion successfully fended off those challenges to maintain the third position.
Schatz placed a bid for the lead on the lap 28 restart. Schatz dove to the inside of turns one and two to make it three wide with Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and James McFadden.
Schatz had a good run on both drivers, but a caution negated his effort.
In the closing laps, Schatz again was reeling in the top two, but ultimately had to settle for a third-place finish.
“It was a guessing game after they redid the track before the feature. It made the top really fast and took away the bottom,” said Schatz after the race. “That’s the direction we thought it was going to go. We tightened the car up and I thought we were pretty good those last five laps when the track got abrasive. I thought we had a chance but just ran out of time.
“Hats off to Bobbi and the Johnson family. I wish we could have won it, but I’m glad to be here on the podium.”
The previous night at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, Schatz moved up six positions in the feature to take home an eighth-place finish from 14th.
Schatz currently sits third in the point standings ahead of this weekend’s event at Kokomo Speedway in Indiana.
Saturday will be the first World of Outlaws event at the action-packed quarter-mile since 2015. Schatz has one career win at the speedway, which came in 2014 where he started fourth and led 35 of the 40 laps.
Schatz and the entire Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team would like to thank all of their great partners for their continued support!
DieHard, Advance Professional, Carquest Auto Parts, Technet Professional Automotive Service, Ford Performance, Mobil 1, Sage Fruit, Curb Records, Absolute Automation & Security, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Digital Ally, J&J Auto Racing.
Schatz’s Statbook:
World of Outlaws results:
Races: 51
Wins: 5
Top Fives: 22
Top Tens: 40
Previous results at Kokomo Speedway
2015 – 2nd on June 3 (started 4th; led 2 laps)
2014 – 1st on Sept. 16 (started 4th; led 35 laps)
2013 – 9th on June 5 (started 11th)
2012 – 6th on June 5 (started 8th)
2007 – 2nd on June 5 (started 4th; led 7 laps)
2006 – 3rd on Sept. 24
2005 – 6th on June 14
STAY CONNECTED:
Website: DonnySchatz.com
Store: Store.DonnySchatz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnySchatz15/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DonnySchatz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/donnyschatz/
Tony Stewart Racing:
Website: TonyStewartRacing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TonyStewart_Rcg
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonystewart_rcg/
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Contact:
Mike Spieker
SpiekerPromotions.com
Photo Credit: Trent Gower Photography
