Donny Schatz Rockets Back to Victory Lane: 10-Time Sprint Car Champion’s Latest Triumph Ignites 2025 Racing Season

Veteran World of Outlaws Sprint Car superstar Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) have officially ended their 18-year partnership, closing a chapter that delivered eight World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championships, nine Knoxville Nationals victories and 234 series wins. Schatz, who celebrated his 48th birthday on August 10, departs the iconic No. 15 ride effective immediately. Team owner Tony Stewart issued a statement acknowledging that recent performance struggles prompted the mutual decision, saying both sides “hold ourselves to a high standard of performance that we’ve struggled to obtain.” Stewart also thanked the North Dakota native for helping build TSR into a sprint-car powerhouse during their near two-decade run. What’s next for Schatz? The 10-time Knoxville Nationals champion has not yet announced future plans, but industry insiders expect the perennial title contender to unveil a new program before 2026 Speedweeks. Schatz is widely regarded as one of the most marketable drivers in dirt racing, making him an immediate target for high-profile owners looking to elevate their World of Outlaws presence. Kerry Madsen tapped as interim driver TSR confirmed that Australian veteran Kerry Madsen will climb back into the No. 15 beginning Friday at Ogilvie Raceway, a track where he has previous podium finishes. Madsen scored six wins in 37 starts with TSR in 2021 and brings proven chemistry with crew chief Steve Swenson. The team is expected to name additional substitute drivers for the North Dakota swing on August 22-23. Schatz’ final race with TSR came during last weekend’s Knoxville Nationals, where he charged from 20th to 11th in the A-Main after surviving the B-Main transfer, stretching his streak to 27 consecutive Knoxville A-Main starts—a record dating to 1998. Legacy of domination • 8 World of Outlaws championships (2008-09, 2012, 2014-17, 2021) • 234 World of Outlaws feature wins—third on the all-time list • 9 Knoxville Nationals crowns, including five straight (2011-15) • 10 Kings Royal victories, most in event history • 300+ career sprint-car wins across multiple sanctions Why the split matters Schatz’ departure marks the most significant driver move in sprint-car racing since Steve Kinser’s partial retirement a decade ago. It reshapes the 2025-26 World of Outlaws free-agent landscape and could ignite a technical-personnel carousel as teams vie to attract Schatz’ long-time mechanics and sponsors. Marketing experts predict a surge in fan engagement and merchandise sales once the Fargo native announces his next destination. Potential landing spots • A new family-backed Schatz Motorsports effort, similar to Kyle Larson’s self-owned No. 57 • High Limit Racing, leveraging Brad Sweet and Kyle Larson’s growing series infrastructure • Established World of Outlaws teams such as Roth Motorsports or Shark Racing seeking a championship-caliber driver What fans should watch 1. Schatz’ official statement, expected during this week’s North Dakota homecoming races. 2. Sponsor alignment—Carquest, Advance Auto Parts and Ford Performance all have existing ties that could follow the 10-time champ. 3. 2025 Silly Season repercussions: How will rival contenders David Gravel, Carson Macedo and Brad Sweet respond to a rejuvenated Schatz in new equipment? Bottom line After nearly two decades of dominance together, Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing are charting separate paths. The split not only ends one of dirt racing’s most successful alliances but also sets the stage for a high-stakes bidding war for one of the sport’s greatest talents. Fans and industry stakeholders alike should brace for a flurry of announcements as the 2025 World of Outlaws season speeds toward its dramatic conclusion.