The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Honored its Teams and Drivers During the Annual Banquet.
Story By: CHRISTINA CORDOVA / WRG MEDIA
Photos By: PETE MACDONALD / RACERSGUIDE.COM
CONCORD, N.C. —Noveber 1, 2016- The higher Donny Schatz climbs on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series ladder, the more he’s being compared to Steve Kinser, the legendary King of the Outlaws.
On Sunday night at the series’ banquet in Concord, N.C., Schatz was called this generation’s Steve Kinser several times, especially by the younger racers.
Schatz still has a way to go to match Kinser in the record books, but there’s no doubting the current eight-time champion is the dominant racer of this era. He just completed his fourth consecutive season with at least 23 main-event wins, the only driver in series history to accomplish that feat. Even if Kinser’s 577 wins and 20 championships seem like untouchable milestones, clearly Schatz and his Tony Stewart Racing team led by crew chief Rick Warner are at the pinnacle of the sport.
“If you look at the TSR team and you look at Donny Schatz, you see what it means to be the champion,” World of Outlaws COO Tom Deery said in presenting Schatz with his championship hardware. “They are 24/7, 365-days-a-year, hard work, preparation, perseverance. Everything you would think a champion should be and is. Congratulations to TSR because when you add all that to the passion they have for the sport and the passion they have for winning, you have a championship team.”
David Gravel, a talented young driver with a bright future behind the wheel of the CJB Motorsports ride, was one of the drivers trying to pressure Schatz this season. Gravel’s nine wins were second to Schatz’s 25 victories.
“Donny raises the bar every year,” Gravel said. “It only makes us better. We have to chase after somebody, and he’s our Steve Kinser.”
Schatz just completed his 20th season as a World of Outlaws racer and earned his 229th career win in Saturday night’s finale at the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals. He won the rookie of the year title back then, now he’s collected eight rings and so many championship trophies the room he built in his Fargo, N.D., house no longer has the space to display them.
“I appreciate everyone’s kind words,” said Schatz, after collecting his $150,000 champion’s share of the purse. “It’s very overwhelming. Twenty times I’ve stood here. I would never have guessed in 1997 when I came out here, man I don’t know what I was thinking. I was racing Paul McMahan, and Paul’s a bad ass. There’s no way I should have had a chance at it, but somehow I won the rookie of the year and to this day it’s still my most prized possession. … Completing my first year was definitely the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever had.
“The organization that Tony Stewart has built and continues to refine is nothing short of incredible. It’s a huge honor to be a small part of this team’s success.”
While Schatz remained calm and cool, there were plenty of emotional moments during the festivities. The night started with World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter and Series Director Carlton Reimers, both Texas natives, honoring the late Lanny Edwards and his family with the Ted Johnson Award. Both Carter and Reimers understandably were overcome with emotion during the presentation honoring Edwards, the long-time promoter of Devils Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, who helped get the World of Outlaws off the ground. The award will be presented to Lanny’s widow, Beverly, when the series competes at Devils Bowl in April.
Jason Johnson Racing Crew Chief Phillip Dietz was named the crew chief of the year, then emotions carried over to the drivers. Young racer Clyde Knipp received a runner-up rookie of the year award and talked about graduating high school last spring then jumping right into World of Outlaws competition, saying it’s all he’s ever wanted to do.
Jacob Allen was nearly moved to tears, thanking everybody for his opportunity to compete with his legendary father, Bobby Allen, in team where family is so important. The same went for Logan Schuchart, who thanked Allen for being “my hero, my mentor.”
Greg Wilson provided a light moment when he compared his rookie-of-the-year winning season to the movie, “40 Year Old Virgin.” Jason Johnson and Jason Sides, whose brother Paul was honored for being 305th in points, highlighted the struggles of being a car owner and what it takes to compete on the tour, but both agreeing there’s nothing they would rather be doing.
Paul McMahan was thankful to be done with 2016, a struggle of a season, so he can look forward to getting next year started well. Joey Saldana, one win away from 100 in his career, thanked car owners Dennis and Teresa Roth for their significant impact on the sport as he looks toward 2017 with a little bit of uncertainty as to how his ride will take shape come Florida in February.
Like all the drivers, Shane Stewart, Brad Sweet, Gravel, and Daryn Pittman all thanked their crew, the guys who work tirelessly on the cars to make their drivers shine. They all pointed to Schatz and his remarkable season.
The 2017 campaign starts in just over three months, it’ll be here quick. One thing is for certain, Donny Schatz and his team will be ready.
