Showdown Set at National Open for Sprint Cars

Sprint car racer Donny Schatz is experiencing the best season in his 10-year World of Outlaws career. The Fargo, North Dakota driver and his ParkerStore team are not content with simply finishing up the 2006 season.

On September 29th and 30th, the National Open, sponsored by Cleveland Brothers and sanctioned by the World of Outlaws will get underway at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

World of Outlaws Points Leader uses K&N Carbon Fiber Airbox
World of Outlaws Points Leader uses K&N Carbon Fiber Airbox
Schatz has won three out of the last six National Opens including two in succession. If he wins this year, he could become only the third driver in the race’s 43-year-history to have three consecutive National Opens.

“I feel like I’ve got the best crew out there. My guys work hard to give me a race car this good,” said Schatz. “Our K&N Engineering Carbon Fiber Airbox helps us achieve maximum horsepower at every race.”

“This is one of those races that hold a lot of tradition and prestige,” said Schatz. “We kind of won the thing out of nowhere in 2000 and since then, I’ve really loved racing at the Grove. We haven’t won there yet this season, and that was one of our goals for the season.”

ParkerStore Sprint Car
ParkerStore Sprint Car
The race is shaping up to be a big showdown between World of Outlaws points leader Schatz and National Sprint Tour points leader Danny Lasoski.

“The competition is really tough out there and I think I learned how to be good there from being so bad for so long,” said Schatz. “This is the time of year when everyone is thinking about next year and trying new things. We’re doing the same, but we also know this race pays $50,000-to-win.”

In five 2006 starts at the half-mile dirt oval, Schatz has not finished outside the top five. He said the key to the weekend is getting off on the right foot on the first night. The Friday night 25-lap feature will pay $5000 to win.

“We have to get locked in Friday night,” said Schatz, who has a total of nine career wins at Williams Grove Speedway. “The last two years we’ve finished in the top four on the first night and that really helps set you up for the Open. You have to qualify well enough to be close to the front and then make it through your heat race. With the quality of cars getting through the heats can be pretty tough. Like any big race, you have to have some luck go your way, take advantage of the breaks when they are there and put yourself in a position to win with 10 laps to go.”

Schatz and the ParkerStore Team will only have six races remaining in the 2006 WoO season after Williams Grove.

Follow Donny Schatz's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.