Donny Schatz and his team want to dominate the series. The STP/Armor All/Chevrolet J&J did just that during the latter stages of the 40 lap main event at Princeton Speedway. Schatz battled hard with Jason Sides during the closing laps but eventually held on to score his 107th career win, tying his childhood idol, Doug Wolfgang.
“That was a lot of fun racing with Jason,” said a smiling Schatz in victory lane. “We fought pretty hard. Mark (Dobmeier) set a torrid pace earlier on but you can’t run 40 laps that way.”
It marked the third time in a row that Schatz visited victory lane at the quarter mile bull ring. With his second victory of 2011, Schatz increased his lead in the series standings to 29 markers over second place Joey Saldana.
“We really want to get back to the point where we are dominating again,” said Schatz. “Consistency is great and all but wins sure make you feel better. This team kind of starts scratching and clawing at each other if we haven’t won in awhile.”
For his part, Sides was happy to race hard with Schatz. The Bartlett, Tenn. driver gave it everything he had but settled for his second runner up finish in a row.
“We got a good jump on the late restart and got around Donny there but we got low and into the sticky stuff,” said Sides. “I wasn’t going to wreck him or anything. It’s not the way you do things but it was a lot of fun to race that way. Another second place finish? We’ll take it. We’re building some good momentum for the summer months.”
20 time champion Steve Kinser overcame an engine change and a 10th place starting position to come home third with 2010 Champion Jason Meyers crossing the line in fourth. Dobmeier, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, led the first 27 laps of the main event and wound up finishing fifth.
Sides was the quickest driver on the night followed by Sammy Swindell and Schatz. Hometown hero Craig Dollansky, winner of the previous two World of Outlaws series races, finished in seventh.
The Outlaws are back in action at Husets Speedway just outside of Sioux Falls, S.D. on Sunday, June 26.
| 
|