The Parker boys continue to dominate the field

WARRNAMBOOL, VIC (JANUARY 27) - Donny Schatz wanted to leave Australia on a high note. On Sunday night, the 24 year-old North Dakota native claimed Australia's biggest sprint car race, The Standard Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic for the second year in a row.

"It's been a great three days," Schatz said, following two wins in Warrnambool and Friday's victory at Mt. Gambier's King's Challenge. "It was a lot of hard work and a lot of luck. I can't go home on a better note. It's been a hell of a year."

The World of Outlaws star concluded his fourth Australian Tour of Duty with Sunday's victory.

After sharing the front row with fellow American Jeff Shepard, the two put on a spirited duel during the feature's first 20 laps. Schatz took the lead for good with 16 laps remaining and continued working through lapped traffic during the latter stages of the race. His final challenge came from Max Dumesny.

Dumesny and Schatz had a terrific battle throughout the season in the World Series Sprintcars campaign and in the final ten laps Sunday, Dumesny tried everything he could to pass Schatz. A late yellow flag may have sealed the win for Schatz.

"I saw the numbers on the board that Max was giving me problems," continued Schatz, who became the first repeat winner in the Classic since 1989 when Danny Smith won three straight. " I was probably a little cautious out in front and my crew chief (Keith Giles) said I had to start getting the car up a bit."

The victory concluded a 23-race campaign for Schatz and the Monte Motorsports team, which included 11 wins. Schatz finished second in the World Series Sprintcars chase to Dumesny, but defeated all comers in the #15 Chantec / Wattleup Tractors / Western Ag J&J including Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski at the two biggest events claiming the $50,000 Parts Plus Summer Slam and the $20,000-to-win Classic.

"To win here again is awesome," explained Schatz following the victory. "This is the Knoxville Nationals of Australia."

Schatz will return to the United States and prepare for the upcoming Pennzoil World of Outlaws series that kicks off on February 22nd at King's Speedway in Hanford, CA.

(Article by Bill Klingbeil)
(Photo courtesy of http://www.sprintcarworld.com.au)