Schatz to Help Out Click It or Ticket Seat-belt Campaign
INDIANAPOLIS – Two-time defending Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws (WoO) champion Donny Schatz knows the importance of safety. This week, the Fargo, ND resident is hoping he can help spread the word on the importance of buckling up through the Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign.“It’s really a great honor to be helping with this Click It or Ticket program again,” said Schatz, who will be promoting the program at multiple locations on Wednesday, April 30. “I know how important it is to buckle up every time I get into a vehicle…not just my Sprint car. We’re focused this week on getting that message out in North Dakota, but as we race across the country we hope to spread the word anywhere we can.”
Schatz is a 12-year veteran of the World of Outlaw series, which will contest four events in the state of North Dakota this summer. He is in his first season driving for Tony Stewart Racing, and the No. 15 Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore sponsored sprint car he drives races on dirt tracks ranging in size from a quarter-mile to a half-mile throughout the United States. He also spends four weeks a year racing Sprint cars in Australia.
His schedule includes an appearance Wednesday morning at Moorhead American Crystal Sugar Plant (2500 11th St. N., Moorhead) at 10 a.m. CDT will be followed by a visit to West Fargo High School (801 9th St. E., West Fargo) during the lunch hour to discuss with teens the importance of always using a seat belt. The day’s activities will conclude with Schatz meeting community members and signing pledge cards, which also feature Schatz’ 2008 race schedule, at the Dilworth Wal-Mart Supercenter (1711 Highway 10 West) at 5 p.m.
“Safety is one of the most important things in our community and the state of North Dakota,” said Robyn Litke, Coordinator of Safe Communities Coalition of the Red River Valley. “It’s important to make our community as safe as we can. Last year was the first year we had Donny help us to be part of the solution and we feel like it makes significant impact. Awareness is one of the most important parts of our program, so our goal is getting the message out to as many people as possible during the month of May before the heavy vacation and travel seasons begin.”
Results from last year’s campaign mirrored the successful season Schatz had on the track. Clay County (Minnesota) scored a record high 84% seat-belt usage rate and Cass County (North Dakota) maintained its record high rate of 85% for the second consecutive year. The state of North Dakota also saw record-breaking numbers with 82% usage, up from the previous high of 79%.
-TSR-
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