West Fargo Twin Sisters Laela and Amelia Eisenschenk Reflect on Racing

LAELA AND AMELIA EISENSCHENK CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD IN RACING WORLD.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–Laela and Amelia Eisenschenk got into racing at a young age and are now racing sprint cars for first place finishes and each other.

“We opened the garage door one day on our fifth birthday, and there were go karts sitting there,” said Amelia. “So, that’s kind of how we started.”

From go karts to sprint cars. Laela and Amelia Eisenschenk have been racing for as long as they can remember. The twin sisters from West Fargo get to do it together.

“It’s pretty cool to have someone with you at all times,” said Amelia. “Racing against each other you try and help each other out a lot. It’s just pretty cool to be able to race with your sister every day.”

“We both are very competitive, and it’s hard when you know we’re racing for a win with each other,” said Laela. “But, you know, we’ve dealt with it the last five years in go karts, and it’s just kind of been more fun when we get to race each other now for a win.”

Racing has taken these sisters to race tracks all over to compete, and they’re not the only ones in their family racing.

Donny Schatz, or uncle Donny to the twins, has been racing sprint cars for almost three decades with the World of Outlaws, and his accomplishments are endless.

Whether you look at the 10 championships or 11 Knoxville nationals, Schatz is one of the best to compete in the sport and ranks top three all time in wins.

“When I’m with them, I can see a lot of things that are really great and things they are doing right, and naturally, even if they’re perfect, I can find something to criticize and be wrong,” said Schatz. “You know, these girls have a great opportunity to who they look up to as drivers, and I hope they look past what I am.”

It’s no secret that racing is primarily dominated by males. The girls and Donny both hope their involvement will continue to help push the sport to anyone who wants to do it.

“There’s not many late model racers that are girls,” said Amelia. “But you can’t think about that part. You just go out there and give it your all the time.”

“Growing up around this sport, there’s been little female involvement,” said Schatz. “I think the more we see females get involved, the more people like it, the more entertaining it is.”

These girls are already celebrities wherever they race, giving autographs and taking pictures with fans. Someday, they just might race alongside their uncle with the World of Outlaws.

“We still have a lot to learn before we get to that point,” said Laela. “I think that we just need to have a few more years under our belt in the 410s.”

“At some point, I hope these girls get to that level,” said Schatz. “I think their grandma probably more than anything would really love to see that- Me race with them, but I don’t take losing very easily. So, if I do get beat by them, I can sure that I’m going to have to my game a little bit.”

So far this racing season, Donny is right in the race for his 11th World of Outlaws championship (2nd place).

The girls are both having successful seasons with several top-5 finishes. On Sunday, August 25 in a race at Buffalo River Speedway, Laela took first and Amelia second in the IMCA Racesaver Sprint feature.

For more information on their racing seasons and where they will race next, visit the following links:

Amelia: https://www.myracepass.com/drivers/85137

Laela: https://www.myracepass.com/drivers/85136

Donny Schatz: https://www.myracepass.com/drivers/1096