MECHANICSBURG
 Donny  Schatz probably wouldn’t mind racing at Williams Grove Speedway every weekend.

 Put up some World of Outlaw type cash and the Fargo, N.D. racer would be there to cash in.

 For the season leading fifth time this season, Schatz put a hurting on the competition at the Grove on Saturday night in the Cleveland Brothers National Open.

 But this win was worth a cool $50,000 to Schatz, who is closing in on his second straight WoO championship as well.

 Schatz dominates Williams Grove. He has for the past four seasons. This season has been especially good. Five of his 18 season wins have came at the expense of the Pennsylvania Posse and the rest of the World of Outlaws at the Monroe Township facility.

 “This place has been good to be and I know I can come here and start anywhere and move myself forward,” said the driver of the Tom Johnson’s Camping Centers J & J Chassis. “Last night’s run is what won us this race. We were decent tonight but last night was the key.”
 Schatz had a bad time trial lap on Friday night resulting in a 21st starting spot. He finished in the fourth spot at the checkered flag, the final automatic starting spot for Saturday night’s Open.

 He won the Dash on Saturday night and led all 40 laps of the Open.

 He also made history as the first ever driver to win the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, Don Martin Silver Cup and the National Open.

 Schatz was never challenged in his fun to the big payday on Saturday night although Todd Shaffer stayed within a couple car lengths during the first quarter of the race.

 “We try to come out and win every night but we’ve had a good year here this year,” he stated in front of the overflow crowd. “The fourth time is just as special as the first time and to get to win this thing four times, it puts me right there with the King.” Schatz and Steve Kinser are four-time Open winners.

 While Schatz was driving away from the field, Todd Shaffer was taking care of his one business on the track with a brilliant run to finish a well earned second and the $12,000 payday in Gary and Patty Beam’s No. 88 JEI.

 Shaffer entered the night 170 points ahead of Fred Rahmer in the battle for the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass track championship but when Rahmer’s car ended up outside the fourth turn guardrail on the start, Shaffer was able to race his own race for his best Outlaw finish in many years and a $15,000 track title for his team. It was the second time for both Shaffer and the Beams, the last coming back in 1995. His title also ended a three year reign by Rahmer as the track champion.

 “It sure feels good,” said Shaffer, of Millerstown about the championship. “Fred wasn’t gonna let up. He was quick in hot laps and we were both quick in time trials. I managed to get to second in my heat race and I thought maybe we could get one up on him but he came back and finished second in his heat. I saw he got caught up in the crash on the first lap. We only had one win but we had a bunch of seconds and this is the most consistent I’ve ever been. I’m glad I could win the championship for Gary and Patty. It’s been a heck of a year for sure.”
 Fayetteville’s Lance Dewease turned in his best run since winning in his first night in the Donny Owens owned sprinter coming from 13th to finish third in the Open. He battled Shaffer for the runner-up spot and actually passed Shaffer at one point but Shaffer was able to go back by and retain the runner-up spot.

 Danny Lasoski came from 16th to finish fourth with Greg Hodnett fifth in Jim and Sandy Kline’s No. 22.

 Completing the top 10 finishers were defending Open winner Doug Esh, Joey Saldana, Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman and TJ Stutts.
 The race was red flagged twice before a lap could be scored.

 On the first attempt, Rahmer’s car was launched over the fourth turn wall after contact with Kerry Madsen.

 On the second restart, the Don Ott owned car piloted by Billy Pauch appeared to have a problem getting up to speed on the front stretch resulting a violent crash involving Steve Kinser, Keith Kauffman, Mark Smith, Tim Shaffer and Brian Montieth. Kinser’s car was destroyed.
 There were 55 cars in competition on Saturday night.

PIT STOPS…Provisionals were used by Jason Meyers, Terry McCarl, Mark Smith and Brian Montieth…