Donny Schatz, the two-time and defending World of Outlaws sprint car champion, took some of NASCAR's best to task Tuesday at the Sharon Speedway.

Driving in the first of three scheduled events in the Ollie's 360 Challenge, Schatz, who drives for Tony Stewart Racing, took the lead for good on lap 12 of the 30-lap feature to earn the $6,000 top prize.

Of greater consequence, the Challenge is a unique event in which NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne, Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart and Sharon Speedway co-owner Dave Blaney square off against sprint car drivers from 17 states for the opportunity to collect $50,000 for any driver that can win two of the three events scheduled this summer.

With his win Tuesday, Schatz is the only driver in position for a shot at $50,000 July 8 at Eldora Speedway.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to be eligible for the $50,000 bonus," Schatz said after his ninth victory of 2008 and first in a 360 sprint car since September 1996. "The fact that there is a bonus up for grabs at Eldora, and we'll be the only one with a chance to bring it home there makes it even better."

Schatz will be unable to drive in the third race of the Challenge because of a scheduling conflict, so that was "all the more reason why winning at Sharon was so important," he said.

WoO driver Jason Meyers finished second behind Schatz and former WoO champion Danny Lasoski was third.

Of the NASCAR drivers, Blaney finished 11th, Kahne 18th and Stewart 19th.

WoO late models

The WoO Late Models began their Great Northern Tour Tuesday at Port Royal Speedway in central Pennsylvania. The tour goes to upstate New York and Canada before heading to Lernerville June 27-28 for the Firecracker 100.

The 100-lap Firecracker June 28 will pay the winner $40,000, commemorating Lernerville Speedway's 40th anniversary -- the most money paid to the winner of a late model race in Pennsylvania.

Lugnuts

Dog Hollow Speedway Street Stock racer John Kinsey and his wife, Pam, remain in a Pittsburgh hospital after injuries suffered in a traffic accident after the June 13 race at the Indiana County track. The Kinseys were en route home to Delmont when another vehicle crossed the center line and struck the couple's tow vehicle head-on. Updates on Kinseys' condition can be found on the tracks Web site, www.dog-hollowspeedway.com. ... Keith Barbara won the "topless" late model feature Tuesday at PPMS. ... Motordrome Speedway in Smithton has the West Penn Toyota Lift 100 for the Super Late Models at 7:30 p.m. today. ...Tonight is also fan appreciation night and fireworks at Lernerville Speedway. ... At 6 p.m. tomorrow, Sharon Speedway plays host to the MACS Late Models. ... Mercer Raceway Park has "Racing for a Cure" tomorrow. An American Cancer Society event, cancer survivors are admitted free. ... Pittsburgh Raceway Park plays host tomorrow to the Chrysler Classic.