NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — “Why is Donny Schatz so damned good?”
Striking words from David Gravel, moments after climbing from his sprint car following a thrilling victory during the 41st Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Gravel marveled at Schatz’s scintillating drive from 20th to put pressure on Gravel before ultimately finishing in the runner-up spot.
It was yet another spectacular drive from Schatz on a spectacular night at a spectacular race track.
It’s tough to dissect Gravel’s question and list all the reasons why Schatz is so good; time and space doesn’t permit a full listing here. Instead, it’s a great opportunity to bask in the moment and openly thank the racing gods for placing Donny Schatz on our stage for the past 25-plus years.
It’s a funny thing about greatness; we generally take it for granted while it’s happening and then wistfully lament when it’s gone.
Such is the case with Schatz. He is the defining talent of his generation, leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else in terms of accomplishments. He has been so good, for so long, that people seem to have the expectation that it will go on forever.
Nothing, and nobody, is forever. That’s why it’s a good idea to pause and tell it like it is: Donny Schatz is fabulous. We ought to say it more often.
He’s done it in all the right ways. He’s focused, determined and he’s been in it for the long haul. He races everybody impeccably clean. He has set almost everything else in his life aside so that he can pursue a career at the top. Most importantly, he has not allowed great success to satisfy his appetite; his blitz to the front at Eldora says he’s still a hungry cat looking to eat the mouse.
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