PEVELY, MO - Donny Schatz and his ParkerStores team felt like they were in a mini-slump after consistent seventh place finishes. A runner-up finish Friday in Joliet and a run from 12th to third at I-55 on Saturday may have helped the team regain the confidence they had earlier this season when they won five races in 15 starts.

"It's really hard to run up front every night with the Outlaws," said Schatz, who moved to fifth in the WoO standings after consecutive podium finishes. "I know guys like Mark, Steve and Sammy know how to maintain that level, but I hadn't been there before. For a while, I just felt like seventh was the best I could do. Kenny and I have been working hard and at least we're back to challenging for wins. Now we've got to get another one."

Schatz and the team will have the final chance to tune-up for next month's Amoco Ultimate Knoxville Nationals on Monday night. The annual "Fair Week" program at the legendary Knoxville Raceway will kick off another busy week of action which includes a Wednesday night race at the Terre Haute Action Track, and the "Month of Money" kicks off with Saturday's King's Royal at Eldora Speedway.

"This is the time to be hitting your stride," continued Schatz. "The big money is on the line now and we really need to perform well. We have a lot of confidence as a team and we're hoping to have a chance to win in all of the big races coming up."