Tony Stewart Racing has announced a major driver change as Kerry Madsen will take over the No. 15 car from Donny Schatz in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, effective immediately. This Tony Stewart Racing driver change comes after nearly two decades of partnership between Stewart and Schatz, a move aimed at revitalizing the team’s performance heading into the 2026 season.
End of an Era for Donny Schatz at Tony Stewart Racing
Donny Schatz’s tenure with Tony Stewart Racing spans 18 years, during which he built a legacy that includes eight World of Outlaws championships and 234 feature wins, highlighted by nine Knoxville Nationals triumphs. Over this period, Schatz became a central figure in the organization’s success and a respected name in sprint car racing. However, as performance standards shifted and results faced new challenges, the team saw the need for a significant adjustment.
Donny has been an incredible part of TSR for nearly two decades, he’s helped build this organization into what it is today,
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
We’ve had a driver/team owner relationship that has gone beyond that partnership, he’s become part of my extended family through the years, and I have the utmost respect for him and what his career represents – a generational driving talent.
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
The achievements we’ve accomplished together are something that I’ll always be proud of,
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
In recent seasons, Schatz collected five wins in 65 starts last year. This year, he notched eight top-five finishes across 46 events but has yet to secure a win, signaling a dip from his earlier dominance. Both Stewart and Schatz agreed that higher standards and the competitive spirit of the team demanded new direction.
But in the past few years we’ve weathered changes in the sport and our performance hasn’t been to the level that both Donny and I expect. We’re both competitors to our core and we both hold ourselves to a high standard of performance that we’ve struggled to obtain.
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
Making a change now gives each of us the chance to reset and refocus before 2026.
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
Kerry Madsen Returns to Familiar Territory
Kerry Madsen, a former mainstay at Knoxville Raceway where he piloted the VerMeer Madsen Racing No. 55, now ranks third in track standings with a single points race remaining. Madsen is set to drive the No. 15 for Tony Stewart Racing, returning to a team with which he previously found success. In 2021, Madsen raced the No. 14 for TSR and scored six wins in only 37 starts, reinforcing his credentials as a strong contender on dirt tracks.
For the final points event at Knoxville, Madsen will remain with his current team, as a schedule overlap with a World of Outlaws round on August 23 necessitates another reserve driver for the No. 15. Tony Stewart Racing intends to reveal that substitute soon.
Kerry’s been in our car before and is a proven winner, so bringing him back feels natural. He knows our team, we know his capabilities, and I’m confident he’ll give us everything he’s got as we close out the season.
—Tony Stewart, Team Owner
The official start for Madsen in the No. 15 car will be at Ogilvie Raceway in Minnesota, marking a new chapter for both him and the Tony Stewart Racing organization.
Looking Forward: What This Change Means for Tony Stewart Racing
The Tony Stewart Racing driver change comes shortly after the conclusion of this year’s Knoxville Nationals. As the team looks for a competitive revival and strengthens its standing in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, expectations rest on Madsen to bring renewed energy and results to the No. 15 car. Notably, this transition aims to give both Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart’s program an opportunity to reevaluate, recalibrate, and reenergize for future seasons.
Madsen’s return, highlighted by his familiarity with the organization and proven track record, sets the tone for a spirited finish to the current campaign. The announcement has energized the sprint car community and, as the team’s search for a reserve driver continues, attention will turn to how quickly TSR adapts and whether Madsen can deliver immediate impact.
This development reflects a key moment for both long-standing veterans like Donny Schatz and emerging figures such as Kerry Madsen, with the future of Tony Stewart Racing entering a new era of ambition and competition.
