Rico Abreu scores $20,000 with Ironman victory; Knoxville Nationals ahead

 

Date: Friday, August 3rd
Event: Night Before the Ironman 55
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Rico Abreu A-Main Finish (Start): 1st (1st)

Date: Saturday, August 4th
Event: Ironman 55
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Rico Abreu A-Main Finish (Start): 13th (13th)

ST. HELENA, Calif. (August 6, 2018) - Endless hard work and determination certainly paid off for Rico Abreu and all of Rico Abreu Racing, not only scoring their first victory of the 2018 season, but doing so against the Greatest Show On Dirt and earning $20,000 in the process.

Abreu, driver of the Rico Abreu Racing/Abreu Vineyards/Alpinestars/Lucas Oil/Rhino Wipe/Priority Aviation/No. 24 sprint car, earned his first victory of the 2018 season during Ironman 55 action at the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo, on Friday, August 3. Certainly one of the most demanding events on Abreu’s 2018 calendar, the St. Helena, Calif., native led over half of the 55-lap program from the pole position to score the high dollar top prize, forced to do battle with Kraig Kinser and Tim Shaffer early before having to hold off David Gravel late to secure his spot in victory lane. Kraig Kinser led the first 21 circuits before Abreu took command on lap 22, ultimately utilizing both of the top and bottom grooves to hang on to the top spot as the frontrunners encountered traffic.

Nearly sweeping the Friday night program, Abreu qualified for the pole position by winning the evening’s World of Outlaws dash, earning his dash redraw spot by way of heat race victory.

In actuality, it was a second consecutive Ironman 55 win for Rico Abreu, also claiming the 55-pound dumbbell trophy in 2016.

Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 hosted a second Ironman 55 program on Saturday, August 4; 55-laps and once again awarding a $20,000 top prize. Although qualifying for the A-main, Abreu’s result was just outside of the top-ten, finishing 13th after starting in the exact same position. Abreu qualified for Saturday’s program by finishing fifth during heat race competition.

“Obviously, we’ve struggled this year, but a big win like this makes all of the hard work and sacrifice worth it,” Rico Abreu said. “I can’t thank my team, as well as all of my partners enough for their hard work and dedication this season. We’ve had some tough times, and some frustrating times, but they never gave up. They stood behind me and never surrendered. That’s the true definition of teamwork.”

Rico Abreu and Rico Abreu Racing will continue their 2018 campaign with the 58th Annual Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway on August 8-11. Although, technically four days, Rico Abreu’s Knoxville Nationals campaign will not begin until Thursday evening, August 9, when the former Chili Bowl Nationals champion will attempt to qualify for Saturday’s $150,000-to-win Knoxville Nationals finale. Abreu finished eighth during the 2017 Knoxville Nationals main event.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Fans are encouraged to follow Rico Abreu online, as well as on all of the available social media networks.

Rico Abreu: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RicoAbreuRacing, Twitter at https://twitter.com/Rico_Abreu, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rico_abreu/
Rico Abreu Racing: http://www.ricoabreu.com/

2018 Rico Abreu Statistics: (thru August 6, 2018)
Total Races: 52
Total Wins: 1
Total Top-5s: 7
Total Top-10s: 21
**Stats only reflect starts in RAR #24 Sprint Car
 
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CONTACT:
Tyler Altmeyer
Rico Abreu Racing
(724) 954-4915, altmeyer119@gmail.com

 


Donny Schatz consistent in Pevely; 58th Annual Knoxville Nationals next

 

Date: Friday, August 3rd
Event: Night Before the Ironman 55
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Donny Schatz A-Main Finish (Start): 9th (5th)

Date: Saturday, August 4th
Event: Ironman 55
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Donny Schatz A-Main Finish (Start): 7th (3rd)

World of Outlaws Championship Standings (as of 8/6/2018): 1st - 6378 points (198-point margin over second place, Brad Sweet)

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 6, 2018) - Continuing an impressive display of consistency that now includes a staggering 43 top-ten finishes in 45 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series starts, Fargo, North Dakota’s Donny Schatz kicked-off his month of August with a pair of top-ten performances during action at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. on August 3 & 4, highlighting the coveted Ironman 55 weekend with a seventh place finish during the two-day finale on Saturday, August 4.

The weekend, comprised of two, full World of Outlaws programs, awarded a total winner’s share equaling $40,000; $20,000 on Friday and $20,000 on Saturday. Each main event was 55 laps in distance.

Schatz, driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing/Textron Off Road/Ford Performance/Curb Records/Sage Fruit/No. 15 sprint car, launched his weekend at I-55 with a ninth place finish on Friday, August 3. Nearly ending his two-day visit with identical statistics, Schatz qualified for each of the 55-lap programs by finishing second during his respective heat races. Automatically qualifying for each of the Ironman dashes via heat race finishes, the nine-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion finished fifth and third, respectively, during dash competition.

Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing will continue their 2018 campaign with the 58th Annual Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway on Wednesday through Saturday, August 8-11. Certainly the pinnacle of sprint car racing, Schatz will hunt for an 11th Knoxville Nationals title during the upcoming weekend, also in search of the $150,000 top prize that accompanies it.

“This is what every team works toward - earning a Knoxville Nationals championship. We all center our seasons around this event. It is truly the highest point of our sport,” Donny Schatz explained, who owns 15 World of Outlaws victories entering Knoxville Nationals weekend. “I think we are ready. The plan is to put ourselves in position early so we can take a few days off and relax before having to come back and race on Saturday night. I’m proud of this race team. We’ve shown what we are capable of doing. It’s business as usual this weekend.”

Donny Schatz will begin in 2018 Knoxville Nationals campaign on Wednesday evening, August 8, with preliminary competition. If Schatz is capable of earning enough points over the course of the preliminary program, he will automatically qualify for Saturday’s 50-lap, $150,000-to-win A-main.

Of Schatz’s ten Knoxville Nationals championships, the last eight were accomplished with Tony Stewart Racing. The first two Knoxville Nationals triumphs were accomplished under his own team, Schatz Motorsports, before joining the Tony Stewart Racing stable in 2008

ADDITIONAL MEDIA:
Fans are encouraged to follow the progress of Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart Racing and the No. 15 Textron Off Road/Ford Performance/Curb Records/Sage Fruit/J&J Auto Racing motorsports team on the Web and on social media. More information can be found at www.tonystewartracing.com, as well as at www.donnyschatzmotorsports.com.

Tony Stewart Racing: Facebook at www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing or on Twitter and Instagram @TonyStewart_Rcg.

Donny Schatz: Facebook at www.facebook.com/DonnySchatz or on Twitter and Instagram @DonnySchatz.

Watch Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing live on www.dirtvision.com during each and every World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event of 2018.

2018 Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing Statistics: (thru August 6, 2018)
Total Races: 47
Total Wins: 17
Total Top-5s: 36
Total Top-10s: 45

World of Outlaws Races: 45
World of Outlaws Wins: 15
World of Outlaws Top-5s: 34
World of Outlaws Top-10s: 43
 
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CONTACT:
Tyler Altmeyer
Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises
(724) 954-4915, pr@tonystewart.com