Five times World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz stormed to victory in the Australian Open World Series Sprintcars race at Archerfield Stadium.
Schatz was involved in a thrilling scrap with David Murcott before he asserted his authority on the race at the halfway mark and took the chequered flag.
Steven Lines came home in second while NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Sweet claimed the final podium position.
Schatz victory in the prestigious 50 lap Australian Open A Main saw him pocket $20,000 in prize money.
“It was a lot of fun racing with Dave for the first half of the race,” said Schatz.
“It’s rare that you can run so close to someone without them getting into you or changing lines constantly. I felt very comfortable running with him like that.”
Murcott made a strong start to the race and he burst into an early lead with Schatz hot on his heels. A dice between the pair broke out with the lead changing hands briefly on lap 19.
Just eight laps later Schatz eventually found his way into the lead but he soon had to keep an eye on a fast approaching Lines.
In the end, the multiple champion held off the advances of Lines to win by less than a second with Sweet in third.
James McFadden moved to the top of the World Series Sprintcars after charging from 10th position to third while playing his joker card.
The World Series Sprintcars continues at Lismore Speedway on January 18.
World Series Sprintcars Championship Standings
James McFadden 1814
Steven Lines 1702
Luke Dillon 1656
Brooke Tatnell 1612
David Murcott 1457
Robbie Farr 1431
Shane Stewart 1306
Daniel Pestka 1243
Jamie Veal 1224
Dylan Jenkin 1168
Garry Brazier 1001
Ian Madsen 998
Brad Keller 962
Jackson Delamont 956
Brad Sweet 923
Daniel Harding 840
Kyle Hirst 801
Donny Schatz 777
Matt Egel 756
Grant Anderson 709
