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Schatz Snags Record Fifth National Open in 50th Edition

Dollansky crashes while leading with 16 laps remaining in the $50,000-to-win event

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - Sept. 29, 2012 - As he rolled down the frontstretch toward Victory Lane, his cockpit opening facing the packed grandstands, Donny Schatz issued a slight grin as a chorus of boos echoed around Williams Grove Speedway.

The smile widened on a chilly Saturday as he was showered in confetti for claiming his record fifth National Open in the 50th edition of the famed World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event, which paid $50,000 to win.

"This is huge," he said. "Pretty awesome to be the only one with five National Open wins. It's fun to be able to get to Victory Lane at this place."

It was Schatz's first World of Outlaws win at Williams Grove Speedway since 2008 and his 12th career Outlaws victory at the half-mile track. It also marked his second win this season in one of the three "big money" races.

While the victories and money are significant, Schatz now holds a 158-point advantage in the World of Outlaws championship race with only five features remaining this season.

"It says a lot about the team," said Schatz, who also won his sixth $150,000-to-win Goodyear Knoxville Nationals in August. "Earlier in the summer we couldn't see rock bottom from where we were. We picked ourselves up. We've done everything we've needed to do. We've won the races. We've finished second or third when we can't win the races, and that's what you've got to do to put yourself in a championship position and we're in a good position right now."

The title is all but wrapped up after tough luck once again struck Craig Dollansky, who is the runner up in the points race.

Dollansky, who started fifth, inherited the pole when two cars in front of him had issues on the opening lap, which were two of five cautions before the first lap was completed. Dale Blaney, who started on the inside of the second row, stopped on the frontstretch with mechanical issues. Polesitter Cody Darrah was then called for starting too early, moving Dollansky up one more row.

Once Dollansky and the field reached lap two, the race went 24 laps before the sixth - and final - caution. Unfortunately for Dollansky, he was involved when Alan Krimes got sideways in front of Dollansky as he was about to be lapped. While Dollansky was able to restart, he was sent to the back and finished 16th.

Schatz, who briefly led on lap 14 and raced in second for the first half of the event, moved up to the lead. He chose the inside line on the double-file restart and got the jump on Brian Leppo, who slid Schatz for the lead in turn two. Schatz regained the lead off the bottom groove as the drivers exited turn four and never looked back.

Leppo stayed within striking distance for the remainder of the feature before Darrah challenged for the runner-up position in the final two laps.

"It just seemed like when I needed to hit the perfect mark when he would have bobbled I just missed it a little bit," Leppo said. "To run second at the National Open, it's just a great feeling. It's awesome."

Darrah drove into second place in turn four as the drivers faced the white flag before Leppo regained the position on the frontstretch. Darrah finished third to record his 22nd top five of the season.

"This is a tough place to get around when you're up behind somebody," he said. "(I) had good starts, we had three or four of them and then (I) jumped the start trying to get every edge we could. If you don't have a good start it's really hard to make it and keep the lead through (turns) one and two here."

Daryn Pittman earned the KSE Hard Charger Award after driving from 17th to fourth and Paul McMahan maneuvered from 13th to fifth. Stevie Smith was sixth, Lucas Wolfe seventh, Lance Dewease eighth, Sam Hafertepe Jr. ninth and Greg Hodnett rebounded from an opening-lap crash to round out the top 10.

50th annual National Open Notebook

NOTES - Paul McMahan established quick time for the second race this season. … Stevie Smith claimed his fourth heat race win, Lance Dewease his second, Sam Hafertepe Jr. his fourth, Cody Darrah his ninth and David Gravel his fifth. … Darrah claimed his third dash. … Paul McMahan became the 43 rd different Last Chance Showdown winner.

CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Donny Schatz; Armor All (case of product): Stevie Smith; STP ($50 cash): Cody Darrah; UNOH ($50 cash): Stevie Smith; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; JE Pistons (set of rings): Doug Esh; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Wix Filters ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Superflow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; JE Pistons ($50 cash): David Gravel; JE Pistons (set of rings): Don Kreitz Jr.; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Don Kreitz Jr.; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): David Gravel.

WINNERS - Sammy Swindell - 12 (Eagle Raceway on Sept. 19, Grays Harbor Raceway on Aug. 29, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 25, River Cities Speedway on Aug. 17, 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); Donny Schatz - 11 (Williams Grove Speedway on Sept. 29, Clay County Fair Speedway on Sept. 14, Calistoga Speedway on Sept. 9, Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 6, Nodak Speedway on Aug. 19, 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); Craig Dollansky - 8 (Deer Creek Speedway on Sept. 15, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 24, 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); Kerry Madsen - 5 (Willamette Speedway on Sept. 3, Skagit Speedway on Aug. 31, Limaland Motorsports Park on July 11, Belleville High Banks on June 29 and Knoxville Raceway on June 9); 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); Tim Kaeding - 4 (Antioch Speedway on Sept. 10, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 6, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); 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); Steve Kinser - 3 (Dodge City Raceway Park on June 22, Orange County Fair Speedway on May 19 and Williams Grove Speedway on May 12); Chad Kemenah - 2 (Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 28 and Eldora Speedway on May 4); Paul McMahan - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on Sept. 28 and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on May 16); Tony Stewart - 2 (Ohsweken Speedway on July 31 and Lernerville Speedway on July 17); Sean Becker - 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 7); Dale Blaney - 1 (Lernerville Speedway on Sept. 22); 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); Travis Jacobson - 1 (Skagit Speedway on Sept. 1); Kyle Larson - 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 8); Danny Lasoski - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18); Fred Rahmer - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 11); Brad Sweet - 1 (Clay County Fair Speedway on June 8) and Lucas Wolfe - 1 (Bloomington Speedway on Aug. 3).

TIME TRIALS - Paul McMahan was the fastest qualifier around the half-mile oval with a time of 16.366 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Brian Leppo (4 points), Sammy Swindell (3), Lucas Wolfe (2) and Danny Lasoski (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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