Schatz scores runner-up finish at Granite City

FARGO, N.D. (June 8, 2021) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series were set to return to one of Donny Schatz’s home tracks – River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. – on Friday night. However, after time trials were completed, heavy rains moved into the area, forcing the cancellation of the event. 

From there, the series moved to Granite City Motor Park in Sauk Rapids, Minn. on Saturday, where Schatz raced to a second-place finish. 

Schatz was strong all night at Granite City timing in fifth quick and finishing second in his heat to earn a spot in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash. 

After dominating the Dash, Schatz led the field to the green flag for the 35-lap main event. 

The 10-time series champion filed into second early on in the feature behind Aaron Reutzel. Lining up on the outside groove on the lap 14 restart, Schatz lost two positions relegating him back to fourth. 

Schatz was able to quickly work his way around Reutzel to take over third as he set his sights on leaders David Gravel and Sheldon Haudenschild. 

Schatz was closing in on both Gravel and Haudenschild in the final stages of the race. The driver of the Carquest / Ford Performance No. 15 stole the runner-up spot away from Haudenschild on the final lap. 

“Being on the outside for the restart killed what little run we had, then we had to fight to get those spots back,” said Schatz after the race. “We were able to salvage a decent finish. The Carquest guys did a great job. We were in the hunt and we are getting a lot closer to where we need to be to start winning races. That makes me feel a lot better. We’ll take it, move on, and try to win next weekend.”

Schatz also commented post-race that he wished he could have gotten a win in front of his long-time fans in the upper Midwest. 

“We have a lot of great fans around here. Ultimately, we want to see wins just like they do. It would have been great to win one tonight but we didn’t. We’ll get one here soon, hopefully, and it’ll be that much sweeter when we do.”

Schatz currently sits fourth in the point standings, 146 markers behind leader Brad Sweet. 

Next week, the World of Outlaws head to Knoxville Raceway June 11-12 for the Brownells Big Guns Bash. 

Schatz and the entire Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team would like to thank all of their great partners for their continued support!

Carquest Auto PartsCurb RecordsFord PerformanceSage FruitDigital Ally, Mobil 1, Absolute Automation & Security, Rush Truck CentersAdvance Auto PartsHunt Brothers Pizza,  J&J Auto Racing.

Schatz’s Statbook
2021 World of Outlaws Results:
Races: 28
Wins: 0
Top Fives: 16
Top Tens: 20

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: DonnySchatz.com
Store: Store.DonnySchatz.com
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Contact:
Mike Spieker
SpiekerPromotions.com

Photo Credit: Trent Gower Photography

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