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Nine Times The Champ: Schatz Wins The $50,000-to-win Scott Darley Sprintcar Classic... Again! 
Donny Schatz from Fargo, North Dakota, has claimed victory in the $50,000-To-Win Scott Darley Classic in front of a huge crowd tonight at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway in a last corner pass on Craig Dollansky with Shane Stewart completing the American trifecta.
Donny Schatz came from position seven to methodically surge through the field to hunt down race leader and seemingly in command until fellow countrymen Cody Darrah spun in front of the race leader with less than three laps remaining handing the lead back to Dollansky.
Schatz was not to be outdone as he made a last corner swoop around the outside of Dollansky to snare the lead less than 100 metres from the chequers.
Donny Schatz was showered in champers upon the podium after claiming his ninth $50,000 crown in the 12 years of the event.
“That was a heck of a race. If I enjoyed it that much – the fans must have loved it. I am so excited after that one!” exclaimed Donny with a grin from ear-to-ear.
“We have been struggling in the last few shows and tonight we went back to square one – and this is square one.”
Donny also paid tribute to the family of the late Scott Darley, noting, “This is an awesome event; it’s great to be back in Sydney and I can’t wait to come back next year.”
Craig Dollansky, from Elk River, Minnesota, was disappointed with his runner-up position lamenting on missed opportunities.
“I hate finishing second, especially in these big races. Donny Schatz is just the best in the business but hopefully one day, someone else will win the 50 grand!”
At the presentation third-placed Shane Stewart said: “I was surprised to be picked to come from the front row after the Tyrepower Top 10.
“Donny was just awesome tonight and we will be back next year to hopefully go two spots higher in the standings,” said the man from Bixby, Oklahoma.
The 40-lap A-Main - which ran the last 34 laps without stoppage - was a game of chess as drivers like Cody Darrah, Joey Saldana and the winning trio continually swapping positions throughout.
The only yellow of the race occurred with six laps in the books when Jeremy Cross spun on turn four. From that point on, it was survival of the fittest as 23 of the original 24 starters completed the 40 lap race distance.
One of the highlights of the A-Main was watching Cody Darrah try to make high-line moves through the field. This was to no avail however as he slipped back to finish towards mid-pack.
The best of the Australians home was Ben Atkinson who finished seventh followed by Roddy Bellbowen who placed eighth came from deep in the pack and methodically worked his way forward to an impressive win.
Earlier in the night, the heat race wins went to Donny Schatz, Darryl Campbell, Craig Dollansky, Ian Loudoun and Joey Saldana.
The Sprintcar B-Main went the way of James Thompson ahead of Jeremy Cross, Grant Tunks and Darryl Campbell.
In the support divisions the AMCA Nationals A-Main was won by American Mike Weidmann ahead of John Drennan and Gary Waterhouse.
The Fender Bender A-Main was taken out by David Browne.
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The nine-time champion of the $50,000-to-win Scott Darley Sprintcar Classic - Donny Schatz. All Photos: Lauren King
Donny Schatz as he prepared for his wing-dance.
Second-placed Craig Dollansky.
Shane Stewart home in third place.
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