GARY WRIGHT TO FILL THE SEAT IN THE PARKERSTORE WORLD OF OUTLAWS RIDE

Avondale, AZ - March 21, 2003-Donny Schatz flew west and his familiar #15 ParkerStore World of Outlaws team headed east. Schatz is at Phoenix International Raceway just west of Phoenix, Arizona practicing and qualifying for his first USAC Silver Crown event in the #115 ParkerStore sponsored car fielded by R.E. Technologies Racing, Memphis, TN.

Veteran sprint car driver Gary Wright will take over the cockpit at this weekend’s WoO events slated for Magnolia, MS and Baytown, TX. Due to previous commitments, these two events are currently the only ones Wright will substitute for Schatz. The driver for other WoO events that conflict with Schatz's USAC schedule will be announced in the near future. With over 130 victories to his credit, Wright, from Hooks, TX, sits atop both the ASCS and NCRA sprint car series victory lists. His resume includes numerous other wins in a variety of series from coast to coast.

"I think Gary will do a great job for us this weekend," said Schatz. "We have a commitment to our sponsors, ParkerStores, Blue Beacon, Bellerud Transport and others to have our car at the WoO events. We felt Gary would be the guy who could make a great showing for us in Magnolia and Baytown and keep the car up in World of Outlaws owner's points.

"ParkerStores has also committed to follow me in the USAC Silver Crown series. This is the opportunity with a great team to get my career to the next level. It is a unique situation for me to turn my sprint car over to someone else to drive. But I have to stay focused on learning to race on pavement. There are over 50 Silver Crown cars here for this weekend, which makes qualifying for the race critical. This is my first race, I need to keep my attention devoted to just the Silver Crown car. It will take just a little getting used to."

Schatz and the other USAC Silver Crown competitors practiced for one and one-half hours Thursday. There are two 45-minute practice sessions on Friday, one 30-minute session Saturday morning then qualifying.

The non-qualifiers race is scheduled for 4:45 PM Mountain Saturday and the 100 lap main event will take the green Sunday at 11:30 AM Mountain.

The race will be shown tape delay on Speed Channel, Thursday, March 27 at 9:00 PM Eastern. Check your local listing for broadcast time and channel in your area.