Schatz & Schmelzle Enter Factory Value Parts World Challenge
Friday, July 7, 2006
Two-time champion Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota, and event rookie Chris Schmelzle of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, have become the latest entrants for the $10,000-to-win Factory Value Parts World Challenge at the Knoxville Raceway on Friday, August 11. Both have officially entered the Friday night finale during the 46th annual SuperClean Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals, presented by the Midwest Ford Dealers. Asked what he liked about the World Challenge, the proud Canadian said, “Competing against the best drivers in the world and representing your country.”
Schatz, the current leader in the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series points, qualified for the Factory Value Parts World Challenge by competing in the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at the Premier Speedway on the grounds of the Sungold Stadium in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, back in January. Donny, the World Challenge champion in 2001 and ’02, will wheel the Danny & Diane Schatz-owned, Parker Stores-sponsored, Shaver-powered J&J number 15, with support from Bellerud Trucking, Petro Travel Center and Blue Beacon Truck Wash. Schatz is the all-time top money winner in the twelve-year history of the World Challenge, having netted $29,600 since his event debut in the year 2000.
Schmelzle, who has never before competed in the World Challenge at Knoxville, will pilot his own Bailey Brothers-powered Schmelzle/LeJeune Performance sprinter number 57c, with support from Talcore Walls & Ceilings, Slegg Lumber, Walt & Fran Petersen and LeJeune Performance. Schmelzle competes in the late Fred Brownfield’s Northern Sprint Tour and the Fountain Tire Alberta Sprint Tour (AST), and he qualified for the World Challenge at the Castrol Raceway in Edmonton. Chris becomes the seventh Canadian to compete in the prestigious international invitational, following in the footsteps of Ryan Coniam, Toni Lutar, Adam West, Tony Menard, Jack Pillon and Cody Geldart.
The current entry list for the 13th annual Factory Value Parts World Challenge is as follows (asterisk indicates ‘inversion eligible’):
2, Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW (AUS)
3NZ, Jamie McDonald, Birkenhead Point, NI (NZ)*
15, Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND (USA)*
15K, Chad Kemenah, Findlay, OH (USA)*
21B, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (USA)*
21, Daryn Pittman, Pittsboro, IN (USA)*
41, Jason Johnson, Thomasville, PA (USA)*
57C, Chris Schmelzle, Victoria, BC (CAN)*
Those seeking more information on the Factory Value Parts World Challenge are urged to visit Knoxville Raceway’s web site at www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
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