Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

The fact that Donny is doing what he is doing without a rival is even more remarkable. (although, IMO, a rivalry is only good for the fans, if a driver doesn't have the burning desire to be the best, he never will be).  Personally, I don't think this is particularly true, it's just that he hasn't had any sustained rivals.  He's had Meyers, Saldana, Pittman, Shane Stewart push him, just not every year, it's a rotation of different guys, but they are pushing him.  And it appears may be Jason Johnson and David Gravel will make that step this year.

Sure, Steve had Wolfie and Sammy for the 1980;s (and Bobby Davis, Mark, Dave Blaney and a couple others in the 1990's (kinda like what those mentioned above are doing to Schatz currently) that pushed him to be better. 

However, I don't think having a rival has anything to do with dominance.  Kinser dominated because he was focused and had that attitude (most wrestlers are this way in everything they do).  Donny seems to dominate because he's not satisfied when he runs 2nd.  He doesn't care if he runs 2nd to Saldana, Sides, a local team, or anyone else.  He's not satisifed running 2nd, he wants and EXPECTS to WIN.  This is something that can't be taught and very few people have that inner drive.

I'm lucky enough to have lived through seeing Steve and Donny in their primes (as well as Sammy and Doug).  Those guys all had that same drive from within.  Sammy still has that drive at 60+ which is amazing IMO.  Hopefully Donny will continue to have that fire in his belly for years to come as we are witnessing history.

I couldn't agree more with everything you said. Most of all, I too hope that he continues to race at a high level for many years to come. I used to hate him but the louder he got booked in Posse country, the more I started to like him. One day I asked myself why I hated him and I had no answer. The last 3 years, I've really become a fan. He does everything the right way and carries himself with the utmost class. Not to mention, he's pretty damn fun to watch.

I still don't like to see him win but when you ask me why, I have no answer either. 

All I know is, we are all witnessing something pretty amazing.  Like Ali--love to watch him win or love to watch him lose--but everyone loved to watch him.

I have great respect for his abilities and equipment which is why the 4 highlights which stick out in my mind over the last 6 racing seasons are:  (races I attended that is) 

Sammy dominating Donny at the 2010 Nationals (I know Donny was exchanging slide jobs but Sammy was stronger and was very likely going to take the win) , then Shaffer eventually upsetting Donny,

Donny winning from the B-main at the Nationals a few years back,

Balog holding off Pittman and Donny for 2 restarts at one of Balog's "home tracks", 

and obviously last year's Nationals--to me, the biggest upset I have ever seen.  

All three of the races tops on my list and all included Schatz

Damn hard to beat those highlights for sure! Some of us have been pretty damn lucky in that we witnessed Steve and Donny while both were in thier primes. Regardless the debates.....the record books say #1 and #2 all time....to each his or her own as to the choice of the order. Can't really be wrong with either one.

Didnt know Donny was racing in the late 80s

Wonder how the ford tested tonite at hanford?

Wonder how the ford tested tonite at hanford?

The fact that Donny is doing what he is doing without a rival is even more remarkable. (although, IMO, a rivalry is only good for the fans, if a driver doesn't have the burning desire to be the best, he never will be).  Personally, I don't think this is particularly true, it's just that he hasn't had any sustained rivals.  He's had Meyers, Saldana, Pittman, Shane Stewart push him, just not every year, it's a rotation of different guys, but they are pushing him.  And it appears may be Jason Johnson and David Gravel will make that step this year.

Sure, Steve had Wolfie and Sammy for the 1980;s (and Bobby Davis, Mark, Dave Blaney and a couple others in the 1990's (kinda like what those mentioned above are doing to Schatz currently) that pushed him to be better. 

However, I don't think having a rival has anything to do with dominance.  Kinser dominated because he was focused and had that attitude (most wrestlers are this way in everything they do).  Donny seems to dominate because he's not satisfied when he runs 2nd.  He doesn't care if he runs 2nd to Saldana, Sides, a local team, or anyone else.  He's not satisifed running 2nd, he wants and EXPECTS to WIN.  This is something that can't be taught and very few people have that inner drive.

I'm lucky enough to have lived through seeing Steve and Donny in their primes (as well as Sammy and Doug).  Those guys all had that same drive from within.  Sammy still has that drive at 60+ which is amazing IMO.  Hopefully Donny will continue to have that fire in his belly for years to come as we are witnessing history.

And of course, you have 100% factual information that they were testing a Ford, right?  Please tell me that you can back this comment up 100 percent.  Did you get a few pictures of the Ford?  Please don't tell me this is only speculation again. 

I couldn't agree more with everything you said. Most of all, I too hope that he continues to race at a high level for many years to come. I used to hate him but the louder he got booked in Posse country, the more I started to like him. One day I asked myself why I hated him and I had no answer. The last 3 years, I've really become a fan. He does everything the right way and carries himself with the utmost class. Not to mention, he's pretty damn fun to watch.

The comparison I have seen between driver and crew chief from steve/Karl and donnie/warner are 1 part of what keeps them seperated. When Steve had Karl as crew chief his job was to drive the car. I saw Karl on multiple occasions make bar changes or turns without ever even so much as looking at steve. That was karls car. Donnie and warner have a close relationship between each other. Knowing Rick he doesn't like losing, period. Rickey had opportunities to get into pa sprint car racing many many years ago. We sat in the holiday Inn lobby and I ask him why he took so long. His comment was he didn't want to race with a driver that didn't want to win every race. Rickie's first full crew chief job was with the Zemco #1 and driver Kevin gobrect. They were as the 15 crew is today. Everyone knows the outcome of that scenario.  What a lose. Rickie desire is second to none. Donnie was a mid pack runner before warner showed up. Together, they have been nothing short of amazing.  In the prime of both of these teams it would have been a race. Steve just never had to worry about how his car was going to handle, if he was off and a red came out you almost new karls  magic was going to come into play. I asked steve one time. Did you regret taking that nascar ride ? His answer was it was something he just didn't know what the outcome was going to be and he had to give it a try. One can only wonder were he would have gone , record wise, if he and Karl stayed together.  

The comparison I have seen between driver and crew chief from steve/Karl and donnie/warner are 1 part of what keeps them seperated. When Steve had Karl as crew chief his job was to drive the car. I saw Karl on multiple occasions make bar changes or turns without ever even so much as looking at steve. That was karls car. Donnie and warner have a close relationship between each other. Knowing Rick he doesn't like losing, period. Rickey had opportunities to get into pa sprint car racing many many years ago. We sat in the holiday Inn lobby and I ask him why he took so long. His comment was he didn't want to race with a driver that didn't want to win every race. Rickie's first full crew chief job was with the Zemco #1 and driver Kevin gobrect. They were as the 15 crew is today. Everyone knows the outcome of that scenario.  What a lose. Rickie desire is second to none. Donnie was a mid pack runner before warner showed up. Together, they have been nothing short of amazing.  In the prime of both of these teams it would have been a race. Steve just never had to worry about how his car was going to handle, if he was off and a red came out you almost new karls  magic was going to come into play. I asked steve one time. Did you regret taking that nascar ride ? His answer was it was something he just didn't know what the outcome was going to be and he had to give it a try. One can only wonder were he would have gone , record wise, if he and Karl stayed together.  

Donny was far from a "mid-pack runner" before Ricky showed up.  Pretty sure they ran extremely well with Kenny Woodruff as well before Ricky came to the team.

But I forgot that for most people Donny wasn't any good until he teamed up with Stewart either (even though they dominated in the family car before then too).

RW. I believe the answer to that question is 1 woo titles and 2 knoxville. To many years ago . I'm sure others will correct me. When woodruff was his crew chief I do not feel they where the car to beat as they are today.  I still believe when donnie first went on tour they were as many are. They were glad to make it race to race. 

The answer is before Warner WOO TITLES=0

Knoxville Nationals Wins = O

Let me say that Donny Schatz is the best sprint car driver of his time. He is proving that every day.

it was Tested this week. 

  Are you sure?