Schatz Leads Record Setting Field to Fulton Checkers
Story By: BRENDAN CAPERIA / WOO SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: JAY FISH / RACERSGUIDE.COM
FULTON, NY –October 9, 2016- Donny Schatz earned his 24th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season Saturday night in front of a packed Fulton Speedway grandstand. Fans from near and far witnessed the series return after two years for the Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience Saturday Night Special.
“I can’t say enough about this race, and the color pink has been awesome,” said Schatz, who recorded his second win this season with his Breast Cancer Awareness themed racecar. “It’s for a good cause, but I’m happy to find a lucky color for me.”
The series made its cameo appearance during Upstate New York’s prestigious 45th running of the NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week. The Outlaws shared the spotlight with the Super DIRTcar Series, which competed in the “Win and You’re In” portion of the program that decided the final spot for Sunday’s famed Bud Light 200. Though the stakes were high for the Big-Block Modified class, the winged-sprints made history at Fulton’s 3/8-mile dirt oval.
The last time the Outlaws visited Fulton in 2014, David Gravel set the track record for 410-sprints with a lap time of 13.711. With wet conditions starting off the day, drivers found the silver lining. In qualifying, 28 of the 32 drivers broke Gravel’s record. Eight drivers recorded sub-12 second lap times. Gravel, who ultimately finished 10th in the feature, said the moist track was different than when he initially set the record.
“All the rain [Fulton] got put a lot of moisture into the track, and it made the track really fast,” said Gravel, who also broke his own record with a 13.298 in qualifying. “But we qualified badly. We dug ourselves a hole, and we had to overcome some adversity today.”
The record went to Logan Schuchart, who recorded the night’s quick time with a 12.803-second run. This was the first time in track history a sub-13 lap time had ever been recorded. After the qualifying session, Schuchart stood in front of the timing and scoring monitor in disbelief. He owed the record time to the track conditions.
Schatz kept the momentum going thereafter. He placed second in his heat race to advance to the dash draw. With an eight spot inversion, Schatz started the Craftsman Club® Dash in the lead spot. Using the momentum he has gained throughout the season, the Fargo, N.D. native won the dash and led the 24-car feature into the green flag.
“That was big, to be able to pull that eight,” Schatz said. “We had a really good car in the dash, and I kind of throttled back on my guys from making the normal changes. I didn’t feel as good as I probably would have liked, but you just never know what to expect with all the rain. The racetrack was really fast, and the top seemed like the best place to be. I did my best to get around [the track]. There were some really good cars behind us, and that’s a good thing to have behind you.”
Within the first lap, Schatz was challenged by Pennsylvania wheelman Danny Dietrich, who momentarily took the lead until the race’s first caution regrouped the field. On the restart, Dietrich opened-up a 0.800-second lead. Schatz, slow on the draw, found himself in a battle with Lucas Wolfe for second.
“Donny had a heck of a car, and we thought we were going to beat him,” Dietrich said. “We gave him a run for his money but to run like we did on a track like this, we’re happy with that.”
Wolfe overtook Schatz in turn four of the fifth lap, but a near-caution in turn four gave Schatz an opportunity to make-up the spread. A car in front of the leaders overshot the turn four cushion, slowing down Dietrich and Wolfe. Schatz took advantage of their misfortune and reclaimed the top spot. He never looked back.
“It was good to come here and be somewhat competitive,” Wolfe said. “I was good on the restarts and through the middle, but once we got dirtied-up a little bit, we never had the chance to challenge [Schatz]. He got better and better while I was just hanging on.”
Schatz, increased his 0.214-second lead at the halfway mark to a 2.441-second cushion with three laps remaining. Schatz held on for the checkers, while Wolfe and Dietrich rounded-out the podium. Schatz’s last series win at the track came on July 25, 2006.
“Thank you fans for sticking with it,” Schatz said. “The camaraderie with the fans was just great. Also, the track people. Obviously it was not the best of conditions, but it hardly ever is anymore. We just enjoyed it the best we could.”
Fulton Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz led the majority of the laps in the Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience Saturday Night Special showdown, recording his 24th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season. Notably, 28 out of the 32 total drivers in the class broke the track record in qualifying. Logan Schuchart ultimately claimed the track record with a 12.801.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): David Gravel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Ryan Smith; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Danny Dietrich; KSE Hard Charger: Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel – 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart – 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil’s Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman – 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet – 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana – 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil’s Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson – 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease – 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen – 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu – 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog – 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah – 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl – 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart – 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides – 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson – 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Fulton Speedway, N.Y.; Oct. 8, 2016
Feature – (30 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 1-Lucas Wolfe[4] [$5,500]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] [$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman[3] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [10] [$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson[7] [$2,300]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana[13] [$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$2,100]; 9. 19M-Brent Marks [8] [$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14] [$2,000]; 11. 94-Ryan Smith [6] [$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,200]; 13. 7K-Dan Shetler [18] [$1,100]; 14. 53-Shawn Donath[16] [$1,050]; 15. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen[15] [$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen[12] [$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [21] [$800]; 18. 33-Mike Mahaney [23] [$800]; 19. 19P-Paige Polyak [19] [$800]; 20. 7-Paul McMahan [9] [$800]; 21. 71M-Dave Blaney [11] [$800]; 22. 747-Davey Sammons [24] [$800]; 23. 71A-R.J. Johnson [20] [$800]; 24. M1-Mark Smith [22] [$800] Lap Leaders: Danny Dietrich 1-7, Donny Schatz 8-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 83-Joey Saldana[+6]
Qualifying – 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.801; 2. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 12.828; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.838; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.857; 5. 19M-Brent Marks, 12.881; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.936; 7. 94-Ryan Smith, 12.949; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.969; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.019; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.027; 11. 71M-Dave Blaney, 13.029; 12. 53-Shawn Donath, 13.045; 13. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.051; 14. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.055; 15. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen, 13.086; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.136; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.179; 18. 7K-Dan Shetler, 13.200; 19. 19P-Paige Polyak, 13.223; 20. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 13.230; 21. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.233; 22. 5-David Gravel, 13.298; 23. M1-Mark Smith, 13.311; 24. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec, 13.381; 25. 98-Joe Trenca, 13.491; 26. 91-Anthony Fiore, 13.501; 27. 747-Davey Sammons, 13.505; 28. 33-Mike Mahaney, 13.517; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.002; 30. 36-Matt Billings, 14.003; 31. 67-Chris Durand, 14.260; 32. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 14.870
Heat 1 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) –1. 49-Brad Sweet [3] ; 2. 19M-Brent Marks [2] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [6] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 6. 98-Joe Trenca [7] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]
Heat 2 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 1-Lucas Wolfe [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 7K-Dan Shetler [5] ; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 7. 91-Anthony Fiore [7] ; 8. 36-Matt Billings [8]
Heat 3 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 94-Ryan Smith [2] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [1] ; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [3] ; 4. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen [4] ; 5. 19P-Paige Polyak [5] ; 6. M1-Mark Smith [6] ; 7. 747-Davey Sammons [7] ; 8. 67-Chris Durand [8]
Heat 4 – (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) –1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 4. 53-Shawn Donath [3] ; 5. 71A-R.J. Johnson [5] ; 6. 33-Mike Mahaney [7] ; 7. 49K-Scott Kreutter [8] ; 8. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec [6]
Craftsman Club Dash – (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [7] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [8] ; 6. 94-Ryan Smith [6] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [5] ; 8. 19M-Brent Marks [4]
Last Chance Showdown – (12 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 7S-Jason Sides [2] [-]; 2. M1-Mark Smith [3] [-]; 3. 33-Mike Mahaney [8] [-]; 4. 747-Davey Sammons [7] [-]; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [9] [$300]; 6. 98-Joe Trenca [5] [$250]; 7. 36-Matt Billings [10] [$225]; 8. 91-Anthony Fiore [6] [$200]; 9. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec [4] [$200]; 10. 49K-Scott Kreutter [12] [$200]; 11. 67-Chris Durand [11] [$200]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$200]
