GRANVILLE, NSW, AU (January 16) – Donny Schatz kicked off the 2005 World of Outlaws Sprint Series season just the way he ended the 2004 campaign…in victory lane. His three-week journey “Down Under” couldn’t have ended any better as the Fargo, ND racer picked up his 28th career WoO “A” Feature win driving his #15 ParkerStore J&J with Shaver power to victory in the 40-lap Outlaws Down Under II finale on Sunday night at Parramatta City Raceway.

Schatz has been a force at the clay-oval near Sydney. Sunday’s victory was win number five in ten starts for the 27 year-old. He captured his fourth $50,000-to-win Sprintcar International on January 2, and concluding the trip on a positive note was the focus heading into the second-ever sanctioned World of Outlaws event in Australia.

“We came over here with a few goals and we accomplished them,” said an excited Schatz following the victory. “After destroying a car (in the $50K prelim) and then coming back the next night to win was a big confidence boost. We worked with Gary Rush and he has a great bunch of guys. Bryan Bloomfield came over from our ParkerStore team and he did a great job too.”

“It seems like I’ve always had a hard time getting my Outlaws season going and we wanted to leave here with a good start. On Thursday, we stopped in the heat race to avoid running over someone, but we still raced up to sixth in the feature. Last night, third was the best we could do, but when you race in these three-night shows it’s all about getting yourself close to the front on the final night. This was a good win for all of us. I always say getting the first one is the toughest, so now we can head home and get ready to try and win number two in Florida.”

Following the two preliminary nights, Schatz found himself locked into the feature event and started the 40-lap feature in the second row. Saturday’s winner, Danny Lasoski, paced the field during the early stages of the race until Schatz put his #15 ParkerStore J&J in command on an extremely slick racetrack. Schatz used the high-line around 3/8-mile track early and often as he was able to operate his J&J through lapped traffic with precision. In the end, it was a scene that became pretty familiar during the final portion of the 2004 WoO campaign as Schatz took the lead and went on to claim the victory.

“I was chasing my tail the last few nights,” continued Schatz. “But all credit goes to Garry’s crew and my guys from home. These guys did everything I asked and then some. It feels really good to finish here on a winning note and start our season with a victory.”

Lasoski tried to keep pace with Schatz, but had to settle for runner-up finish. “We just got beat by a better car,” Lasoski said poignantly as he accepted his runner-up trophy. He also was full of praise for Schatz. “I have watched this kid since he started and he is going to be a force for sometime to come.”

Kerry Madsen won Thursday’s feature, finished second on Saturday and came home third in the finale to carry the Australian flag to the podium. Daryn Pittman finished fourth while Fred Rahmer charged from 21st to finish fifth.

Schatz will return to North Dakota and join his ParkerStore team as they prepare for the World of Outlaws opener in the United States on February 11th at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL.