FARGO, N.D. -- Donny Schatz is a two-time champion.

Schatz, a Minot native who calls Fargo home, wrapped up the World of Outlaws sprint car points title last weekend, for the second consecutive season.

"The first one will always be special just because it's the first time we won it. This year is special in a different way,'' Schatz said. "When you do something once, then the focus becomes doing it again.

"We were determined to try and surpass some of the things we did last year, and we were able to do some of those things,'' he said.

Schatz finished the season with 10,519 points, 146 ahead of Joey Saldana.

Schatz led all drivers with 19 wins, winning at 14 different tracks. He now has 70 career victories, tying him for sixth all-time with former series champion and current NASCAR driver Dave Blaney.

Schatz's season was the picture of consistency. He finished in the top 10 in 71 of the season's 75 A features. He also led the series in laps led, pole positions and earnings.

"We knew the guy that won the most races would be the champion, and that was our goal from day one,'' Schatz said. "Everyone that is part of this team had a 'do whatever it takes' attitude all season, and you can see the results.''

Schatz received a check for $200,000 at the World of Outlaws award banquet on Monday. But big paydays are nothing new to Schatz this season, as he won the four biggest-paying races in sprint racing -- Kings Royal (at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, owned by NASCAR star Tony Stewart), Silver Cup, Summer Nationals and Knoxville Nationals.

Schatz's points lead was only 35 as late as Sept. 26, but a three-race winning streak in early October set up the run to his second points title.

"If you look at that stretch in July and August where we won the four big-paying races, that was really amazing,'' he said. "You can also look at our late-season surge where we won the National Open in Princeton (Minn.) and Tulare (Calif.), which really put us over the top for the championship.''

Schatz has signed with Tony Stewart Racing for next season, ending a successful run with his family racing team. The deal puts him with one of the most recognizable names in auto racing as he tries for a three-peat.

``The other thing that makes this special is that we won this second championship with my family team, and we know next year things will be different with me driving for Tony Stewart Racing,'' Schatz said. ``My parents have given me a great opportunity, and there's no way I could have reached this level without their commitment.''

Schatz will be part of a two-car race team with TSR. The other car will be driven by Kraig Kinser, who has competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series.