It was quite the year for World of Outlaws driver Donny Schatz.
Schatz successfully defended his World of Outlaws overall season points championship and signed on with Tony Stewart Racing. Either one would have made for a great season, but the combination put Schatz into another world.
“It was a great year, that’s for sure,” Schatz said. “It is a lot of fun to win one (points championship), but it makes you greedy. It was very important when I became a champion, to set my mind on doing it again.”
Schatz, who grew up in Minot and currently resides in Fargo, has become one of the top draws in the World of Outlaws, but never more so than when he races in his home state. While Schatz said he doesn’t feel extra pressure racing in North Dakota, he is certainly happy with his following.
“I don’t think there is extra pressure. We want to win every time we hit the track. But the races become, not so much more important, but we really want to do well in the home state. I do know it is tougher to stay focused away from the races because you know everybody and everybody wants to stop and talk.”
Tony Stewart Racing has also opened new doors to Schatz.
“It is great that we have some new areas like Armor All and Chevrolet,” he said. “The fun part is that Tony is focused on the race teams he own as much as he is with his own car.”
While Stewart combines some dirt track racing with his NASCAR duties, Schatz said he isn’t immediately interested with moving to asphalt.
“Right now I am not looking that direction and we didn’t do this to set up for that,” he said. “My goals are with the World of Outlaws.”
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