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Schatz Shines in World of Outlaws Return to Junction Motor Speedway

Dollansky earns the Kasey Kahne Challenge championship after another top-five finish

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. - Aug. 14, 2012 - Evidently, momentum is a big deal in sprint car racing.

Coming off his sixth Goodyear Knoxville Nationals title in the last seven years last weekend, Donny Schatz whooped most of the field on Tuesday night at Junction Motor Speedway during the fourth-and-final round of the NAPA Auto Parts Kasey Kahne Challenge Presented by Mid-Nebraska Land Developing, A&L Sales & Service and Friesen Chevrolet.

It was only the second World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at the 3/8-mile oval, where Craig Dollansky earned the inaugural Kasey Kahne Challenge title. He received a unique trophy by Jay Simes of Simes Graphic Designs as well as a $3,000 bonus.

"The money can go pretty quick in this business, but (it's) definitely one of the more unique trophies I've ever won," said Dollansky, the only driver to record a top five in three of the four events. "It's a great accomplishment for our team. To come out on top and to have this beautiful trophy, it's pretty cool."

However, the performance of the night belonged to Schatz, who lapped up to seventh place during the 30-lap, caution-free feature. After leading a majority of the Knoxville Nationals and outlasting a late bid from Brian Brown, the duo opened Tuesday's feature with another close battle.

Brown, who started on the pole, led the first half of the opening lap before Schatz slid him for the top spot in turn four. Brown regained the lead in turns one and two on the ensuing lap before Schatz slid him back in turns three and four on lap three.

Schatz pulled away as Sammy Swindell passed Brown for the runner-up position exiting turn two on the fifth lap. Once the duo entered traffic around lap eight, it was a two-car race.

"The race track was awesome," Schatz said. "There was guys that could move around. I think it was how good you had your car and how much speed you could make. I couldn't ask for any better race car."

Schatz began lapping cars at will and Swindell was the only car within striking distance. He was slowed a couple of times in traffic, but never faded beyond a dozen car lengths of Schatz.

"Those two lapped cars that we were going through that kind of held me up for just a bit, every time that gave him about six car lengths," Swindell said. "We were able to gain it back. I think in the open we were a little bit quicker, but he just kept getting through the lapped cars. Just those two times I got stuck for a bit and had to wait, and that was the difference."

Steve Kinser had a left rear tire explode as he entered turn three on the final lap in front of Schatz, who was forced to negotiate through the scene. Swindell closed to within a couple of car lengths, but Schatz held on for his second straight victory and his sixth of the season.

"Thirty laps non-stop, it was a fun race," Schatz said. "I could get through traffic and just had a good time."

Cody Darrah maneuvered around Brown for the final spot on the podium just after the halfway point.

"This is the time of year where it starts to get really grueling on guys and to have a podium finish like this really keeps us up and keeps us wanting it," Darrah said.

Brown edged Dollansky for fourth place. Stevie Smith finished sixth, Kerry Madsen was seventh, Joey Saldana ended eighth and Kinser placed ninth. Sam Hafertepe Jr. charged from 15th to 10th, earning him the KSE Hard Charger Award.

Kasey Kahne Challenge Round 4 Notebook

NOTES - Five drivers qualified quicker than the previous track record, led by Sammy Swindell for a series-leading eighth race. … Lucas Wolfe picked up his third heat race win, Joey Saldana his 12th and Steve Kinser his 11th of the season. … Brian Brown claimed his third dash victory of the season.

CONTINGENCY WINNERS - Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): Bill Rose; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Donny Schatz; Armor All (case of product): Stevie Smith; STP ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; UNOH ($50 cash): Craig Dollansky; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Steve Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; JE Pistons (set of rings): Lucas Wolfe; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah;Wix Filters ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Superflow ($50 cash): Bill Rose; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Bill Rose; JE Pistons (set of rings): Rick Hansen; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Rick Hansen; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Nick Bryan.

WINNERS - Sammy Swindell - 8 (Autodrome Granby on July 27, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lakeside Speedway on June 30, Red River Valley Speedway on June 16, Eldora Speedway on May 5, Knoxville Raceway on April 28, Missouri State Fair Speedway on April 20 and Merced Speedway on March 30); Craig Dollansky - 6 (Lebanon Valley Speedway on July 22, Lernerville Speedway on July 17, I-96 Speedway on June 2, Hagerstown Speedway on May 20, Tri-State Speedway on April 21 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Donny Schatz - 6 (Junction Motor Speedway on Aug. 14, Knoxville Raceway on Aug. 11, Cornwall Motor Speedway on July 29, Farmer City Raceway on April 25, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Joey Saldana - 5 (Autodrome Drummond on July 28, Eldora Speedway on July 13, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 25, Paducah International Raceway on April 13 and Perris Auto Speedway on March 10); Kraig Kinser - 4 (Beaver Dam Raceway on July 7, Dodge City Raceway Park on June 23, River Cities Speedway on June 15 and Kokomo Speedway on June 5); Tim Kaeding - 3 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 6, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); Steve Kinser - 3 (Dodge City Raceway Park on June 22, Orange County Fair Speedway on May 19 and Williams Grove Speedway on May 12); Kerry Madsen - 3 (Limaland Motorsports Park on July 11, Belleville High Banks on June 29 and Knoxville Raceway on June 9); Chad Kemenah - 2 (Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 28 and Eldora Speedway on May 4); Tony Stewart - 2 (Ohsweken Speedway on July 31 and Lernerville Speedway on July 17); Cody Darrah - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on July 21); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 10); Mark Dobmeier - 1 (Huset's Speedway on July 3); Danny Lasoski - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18); Paul McMahan - 1 (Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on May 16); Fred Rahmer - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 11); Brad Sweet - 1 (Clay County Fairgrounds on June 8) and Lucas Wolfe - 1 (Bloomington Speedway on Aug. 3).

TIME TRIALS - Sammy Swindell was the fastest qualifier around the 3/8-mile oval with a time of 13.872 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Craig Dollansky (4 points), Brian Brown (3), Donny Schatz (2) and Cody Darrah (1).

WE'RE ONLINE - Make sure to check out WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .

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