Dates: Wednesday through Saturday, August 11-14
Event: 60th Annual Knoxville Nationals
Series: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Track: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, Iowa)
Donny Schatz A-Main Finishes (Start):
Wednesday: 3rd (7th)
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 2nd (5th)
2021 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Championship Standings: Fourth | 7102 points [258 points behind championship leader, Brad Sweet]
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 16, 2021) – It was a near-perfect week for Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, eventually translating a Knoxville Nationals preliminary effort into a podium finish, ultimately leading to another podium performance during the 60th Knoxville Nationals finale on Saturday. Schatz, a ten-time Knoxville Nationals champion, finished third and second during his respective starts, climbing ahead a total of seven feature positions and leading 14 laps of the 50-lap, $150,000-to-win Nationals final. Despite falling short of the ultimate goal, Schatz’ effort on Saturday allowed the Fargo, North Dakota-native to cash in for an $89,000 prize, which includes $1,000 of lap money per lap led.
Schatz, driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing/Carquest Auto Parts/Curb Records/Ford Performance/Sage Fruit/Digital Ally/Advance Auto Parts/Rush Truck Centers/Absolute Automation and Security/Hunt Brothers Pizza/J&J Auto Racing/No. 15 sprint car, used a stellar qualifying attempt on Wednesday to lock himself into Saturday’s 50-lapper. The ten-time World of Outlaws champion earned the sixth-fastest time overall, then finished fourth from seventh in his respective heat race. The night ended with a charge from seventh to third.
Lining up fifth on Saturday’s grid by virtue of overall Nationals points, Schatz wasted little time and battled to the top in a hurry, ultimately taking the lead on lap 11 over KCP Racing’s Gio Scelzi. Unfortunately, Schatz would fall victim to Kyle Larson, who snuck by the familiar No. 15 on lap 25 just before the halfway competition caution. Schatz did his best to reclaim the top spot, pulling within a few car lengths on the final lap before attempting a last corner lunge; Larson hung on.
“I gave it everything I had,” said Schatz. “I gave it the old ‘Hail Mary!’ It didn’t quite come out in the spot I wanted. It’s good to come here and have a decent run. Kyle’s been knocking on the door of this forever, and he’s definitely a ‘one-off’ talent. If we ever see anything like that in our lifetime again, I guess it will be pretty rare. It feels good to be back here with all the fans.”
Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing will continue their 2021 World of Outlaws campaign with a three-race sweep through North and South Dakota, kicking things off with a visit to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Friday, August 20, followed by a trip to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, North Dakota, on Saturday, August 21. The weekend will cap with a stop at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota, on Sunday, August 22. All four events will award $10,000 top prizes.
ADDITIONAL MEDIA:
Fans are encouraged to follow the progress of Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and the No. 15/Carquest Auto Parts/Curb Records/Ford Performance/Sage Fruit/Digital Ally/Advance Auto Parts/Rush Truck Centers/Absolute Automation and Security/Hunt Brothers Pizza/J&J Auto Racing motorsports team on the Web and on social media.
Broadcast Coverage:
Watch the World of Outlaws online at www.dirtvision.com.
Donny Schatz:
Web: www.donnyschatzmotorsports.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnySchatz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/donnySchatz
Instagram www.instagram.com/donnyschatz
Tony Stewart Racing:
Web: www.tonystewartracing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tonystewart_rcg
Instagram: www.instagram.com/@TonyStewart_Rcg
2021 Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing Overall Statistics:
Races: 64
Wins: 3
Top-5s: 35
Top-10s: 50
**Numbers reflect overall statistics
2021 Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing WoO Statistics:
World of Outlaws Races: 53
World of Outlaws Wins: 1
World of Outlaws Top-5s: 27
World of Outlaws Top-10s: 39
**Numbers reflect WoO statistics, only
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CONTACT:
Photo Credit: Frank Smith
Tyler Altmeyer
Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises
(724) 954-4915, pr@tonystewart.com