Schatz sets fast time and bags heat race win at The Big 'E'

ROSSBURG, OH - The ParkerStores team needed a change of luck, so they built a new J&J car for the annual Easter Weekend Pennzoil World of Outlaws program at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH. The change seemed to help as they turned in two top ten performances.

"We knew we were good enough to be running closer to the front than we were," said Schatz, who ranks 12th in the WoO standings. "Kenny and I were both frustrated that we weren't doing better than we were. I knew we'd have a good car at Eldora. He's been so good here for a long time, and I think our performance proved that we're getting closer."

Schatz quickly built on Friday's seventh place performance by turning the fastest lap in Saturday's qualifications. He continued to shine in the first heat race as he started fourth and patiently drove by Steve Kinser for the victory. After starting fifth in the 35-lap "A" Feature, Schatz tried to drive the ParkerStores #15 as high as could around the high-banked half-mile until the track started taking rubber around the bottom groove. Schatz again battled Kinser as the two swapped fourth spot during the final lap. "The Minot Missile" beat "the King" back to the finish line to claim fourth.

"We really wanted to run the top of the track, but it took rubber around the bottom, and we just kind of fell in line," continued Schatz. "We probably should have started third, but I made a mistake in the Dash. Who knows if that would have changed us from a fourth place finish to a top two spot, but it feels good to be racing in the front of the field. Hopefully, everyone on this ParkerStores team will take some confidence from here and we can get on a good run. If we can keep up our momentum, we'll have a chance to get that first victory of the season real soon."

The team will resume the 2001 WoO campaign in Talladega, AL, next Friday and Saturday at the Talladega Short Track.

(Article and photos by Bill Klingbeil)