FARGO, N.D. -- The biggest week of sprint car racing is just ahead and World of Outlaws Sprint Series star Donny Schatz is hoping to have some added fun. The focus next week for Schatz will be the 44th Knoxville Nationals, but the 26 year-old Fargo, ND racer will spend his 27th birthday competing in the Ultimate Challenge $30,000-to-win non-wing sprint show at Southern Iowa Speedway driving Daryl Saucier's #1st J&J sprinter next Tuesday night.

"I'm really excited about racing for Daryl," said Schatz, who currently ranks third in the World of Outlaws standings. "He has great equipment and for me to be able to do something else like racing a non-wing car just before the biggest race of the year is pretty exciting. I think it's going to be an absolute blast."

Schatz will join a solid list of entries that will compete on the half-mile dirt oval located less than an hour away from the Sprint Car Capital of the World in a unique event put on McTwo Promotions. Schatz, who has spent most of his career in a winged sprint car, got his first experience driving without a wing last season when he raced in USAC's Silvercrown division and he's hoping it won't take more than a few laps to get acclimated.

"I'm not sure how much of what I learned last year will help me," continued Schatz. "I think the sprint cars are faster than the Silvercrown cars, which is good for me. I'm not sure if it's more about slowing the car down to go fast or racing sideways more, but I think we'll be just fine."

Saucier, who has built a very successful fuel pump business, doesn't think Schatz will have any problems making the adjustment.

"Good drivers can drive good cars," said Sauicer. "It's as simple as that. Donny's one of the best sprint car drivers out there, so I don't see any reason why we can't win the race. We'll just see how things go and try to get him the best car on the track and let him take care of the rest."

Saucier, who fielded his famous #1st sprint car in the World of Outlaws in the late 80's hasn't field a racecar since 1991.

"Jack Elam and I got together a few years ago about building a special sprint car," continued Saucier. "We built it and I was planning on going racing, but things didn't work. Fortunately, I was able to get the car back from the guy who bought and have spent the past three weeks putting it together."

Schatz should feel right at home in the #1st Peterson Oil Pumps J&J with a Shaver Engine under the hood and several of the same components that his ParkerStore World of Outlaws sprinter has.

"Daryl's got a first class operation and top-notch equipment," continued Schatz. "The J&J car and Shaver engine are just what I'm used to. It's driving for someone else. We're hoping to do well and have a lot of fun. Winning races is my goal next week, but having a lot of fun has to be a big part of it too."