Memphis, TN – March 18, 2003 – R.E. Technologies Racing drivers Donny Schatz and Tyler Walker are fired up for the upcoming annual Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway after a busy winter. Both young drivers turned good lap times during their test at the D-shaped one-mile oval last week. Mega Label Curb Records has agreed to sponsor Walker in the “Curb-Agajanian Special” for the Silver Crown season. Both drivers put their World of Outlaws cars in victory lane last weekend. All positives pointing to a successful start of the teams’ USAC Silver Crown season.

Schatz and Walker turned over 100 laps in practice at Phoenix International Raceway. The two R.E. Technologies Racing drivers were preparing for the USAC season opening event on March 23rd. “The car was very fast,” said Walker. “The new J&J car is solid and quick. I know that the car will be set up right. It is up to me to put it into the winner’s circle.” Rookie Donny Schatz says the key to improving his pavement skills is turning laps. “We were able to run a lot of laps when we tested at Phoenix. I am comfortable with the Silver Crown car but it takes laps to be competitive with all the guys who have so many USAC wins and so much experience on these fast pavement tracks.” During the test, conditions worsened as the track warmed up. “We settled in on a set up for Tyler,” said Team Manager Chris Santucci. “Donny got great seat time. We tried different setups and attitudes with the car.”

Phoenix is a special place to race for the R.E. Technologies race team. Mechanic Jack French’s cars have won once at PIR in sprint cars and in Silver Crown. He has made the podium three other times, finishing second to Tony Stewart and finishing third two other times. “Copper World is to Silver Crown like the Indy 500 is to the IRL. The competition that comes to Phoenix is tough and the atmosphere is grand,” said French.

“I am looking forward to the race,” said Tyler Walker. “The USAC fans are always great and turnout in large numbers.”

The race around the one-mile asphalt oval will be televised by Speed Channel on a tape delay basis. Copper World is scheduled to air Thursday March 27th at 9 p.m. ET.

SCHATZ AND WALKER IN WINNER CIRCLES

Donny Schatz and Tyler Walker put their O’Reilly World of Outlaws Series sprint cars in victory lane over the weekend. Schatz won Friday night’s World of Outlaws “A” Feature race at State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City. Donny started on the outside of the second row. When the green flag waved, he made a daring pass into first. He never gave up the lead, winning by 15 car lengths. It was Schatz’s 14th career victory.

On Saturday night, Tyler Walker won the WoO “A” Feature at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas before a standing-room-only crowd. Walker passed fellow USAC Silver Crown teammate Donny Schatz on the 10th lap and never looked back.

R.E. TECHNOLOGIES DRIVERS TO BE AT TEMPE SPEEDFEST

Donny Schatz and Tyler Walker will sign autographs at Tempe Speedfest on March 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tempe Speedfest is a free family event presented by Phoenix International Raceway at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Arizona. In addition to meeting Donny and Tyler, fans will have an opportunity to participate in interactive displays set up by the Indy Racing League.

TURN UP THE RADIO

Donny Schatz and Tyler Walker have been busy off the track the past few weeks appearing on several radio stations throughout the U.S. They first hit the airwaves on Westwood One’s nationally syndicated “Focus on Racing Radio.” Schatz and Walker were guests of Dan Laycock on WKLU in Indianapolis and Chris Hawkey on KFAN in Minneapolis. The duo appeared in person following testing in Phoenix with Jamie Reynolds on “Racing Roundup-Arizona” on KXAM.

(Article and photos courtesy of Blake Johnson)