Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing just short in 41st Kings Royal; Four runner-up finishes in five starts
2024 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Standings: 2nd | 5054 (-66)
Date: Tuesday, July 16th
Event: Brad Doty Classic
Series: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Track: Attica Raceway Park (Attica, Ohio)
Donny Schatz A-Main Finish: 2nd (11th)
Dates: Wednesday through Saturday, July 17th-20th
Event: 41st Kings Royal Week
Series: High Limit Racing & World of Outlaws
Track: Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio)
Donny Schatz A-Main Finishes:
Wednesday | HL: 2nd (8th)
Thursday | HL: 2nd (5th)
Friday | WoO: 4th (25th) *Hard Charger
Saturday | WoO: 2nd (20th) *Hard Charger
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 22, 2024) – Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing put together an impressive display in their week-long venture within the Buckeye State, and although the Brownsburg, Indiana-based operation was unable to achieve victory, they finished in the next best position – not only once, but four times – highlighting their entire week with a head-turning performance in the $175,000-to-win Kings Royal on Saturday, July 20.
Schatz, the six-time and defending event champion leading into the week, finished second in the coveted Kings Royal, commencing his main event campaign from 20th on the starting grid. The performance was sound enough to secure the evening’s Hard Charger Award.
Impressive enough, the Fargo, North Dakota, native accomplished the exact same Hard Charging feat just one night prior, but this display was from deeper in the field, concluding the Knight Before The Kings Royal with a rally from 25th to finish fourth.
In a dramatic finish, David Gravel, the eventual winner of the $175,000 Kings Royal, hit the outside retaining wall on lap 36, which ultimately opened the door for Schatz. Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalize.
“We’re a little short,” Schatz, at Eldora, said. “I guess I’m happy we got there. The guys did a great job all week. We had to change a few motors to get things the way we needed. That stings a little bit to get there. I felt really good. It’s just I’ve said it a hundred million times – the last eight laps of those 40 at this race are a whole different dynamic. I got the lead and started to just slip a little bit. I didn’t let my tires slip once, or I knew I was never going to get it back. And I didn’t slip them, but just as our fuel load came off, I started struggling. David got up on there and got the job done. He got in the fence there, and I don’t know how he drove out of that. I wasn’t going to do what he did, so he won.”
High Limit Racing sanctioned the first two nights of Kings Royal Week on Wednesday and Thursday, and with two nights of action came two runner-up performances for Donny Schatz and TSR – the highlight of the pair occurring in the $100,000-to-win Joker’s Jackpot on Thursday, July 18.
As noted, the ten-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion finished second in four of five Ohio starts, launching his impressive stat stretch with a runner-up finish in Attica Raceway Park’s Brad Doty Classic on Tuesday, July 16. Nearly driving to victory from 11th, Schatz was forced to complete his impressive display with a crooked nose wing, knocked loose after incidental contact at the beginning of the 40-lapper.
“It (nose wing) didn’t really affect it like everybody thinks,” Schatz, at Attica, said. “We’re not on the gas that hard here, and I think there were probably parts of the racetrack where it helped. Ultimately, I think I would’ve liked to have had it there and seen what happened. All in all a good effort. The guys got things rolling, and they’re working. This is the type of racetrack that happens in the summer. We had an opportunity. That’s all you can ask for.”
ON DECK:
Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and Donny Schatz will continue their 2024 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series campaign with a return visit to the Keystone State, stopping at BAPS Motor Speedway on Wednesday, July 24, and Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday, July 26-27. In addition, Schatz will visit Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, New York, on Sunday, July 28.
ADDITIONAL MEDIA:
Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and Donny Schatz would like to thank all of their marketing partners: Carquest, Advance Auto Parts, Ford Performance, Curb Records, Sage Fruit, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts, Mobil 1, Hoosier, VP Racing Fuels & Tub ‘O Towels
Broadcast Coverage:
Watch the World of Outlaws online at www.dirtvision.com
Donny Schatz:
Web: www.donnyschatzmotorsports.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnySchatz
X: www.twitter.com/donnySchatz
Instagram www.instagram.com/donnyschatz
Tony Stewart Racing:
Web: www.tonystewartracing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing
X: www.twitter.com/Tonystewart_rcg
Instagram: www.instagram.com/@TonyStewart_Rcg
2024 Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing WoO Statistics:
Races: 37
Wins: 3
Top-5s: 19
Top-10s: 33
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CONTACT:
Photo Credit: Frank Smith
Tyler Altmeyer
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Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises