Tony Stewart, one of the most recognized figures in motorsports, has ended his long-standing partnership with Donny Schatz after nearly two decades in sprint car racing. This move by Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), a dominant team in the World of Outlaws Series, signals a significant shift in the landscape of Tony Stewart Sprint Car Racing, leaving fans and industry insiders eager for details behind the decision and its impact on the sport.
End of a Champion Era: Stewart and Schatz Part Ways
The collaboration between Tony Stewart and Donny Schatz has been one of the most successful in sprint car racing history, amassing eight World of Outlaws titles and securing nine victories at the prestigious Knoxville Nationals. Their 18-year partnership established them as a formidable force and captured the admiration of racing fans worldwide. The announcement of their split has been described as a shock throughout the racing community, drawing attention to the factors that led to this development.
Stewart addressed the situation during an appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR podcast, providing a rare glimpse into the reasoning behind such a pivotal decision. Stewart explained,
“My goal was to ultimately…at the end of the day, I wanted Donny Schatz to retire as a sprint car driver driving a TSR car,”
Tony Stewart explained.
“Really, in the sport of sprint car racing, we probably have the longest relationship of any full-time team right now…but it just comes to a point where things cycle through and decisions are made along the way, and the variables in the equation change, and finally it just got down a path that we couldn’t recover from.”
– Tony Stewart, Owner
He further reflected on the difficulty of the move, stating,
“You have to make that tough decision. I all honesty, I probably should have done it two years ago for the sake of our people,”
Tony Stewart, Owner
Schatz’s last appearance with Tony Stewart Racing came at the Knoxville Nationals, where he started from 20th place and climbed to finish P11. In a strong showing across the event, including Hard Knox Night and Saturday’s B-main, Schatz advanced 17 positions, qualifying for his 27th consecutive Knoxville Nationals A-main since 1998. His impressive record as a 234-time World of Outlaws winner capped a remarkable era for both driver and team.
Kerry Madsen Steps In as New TSR Driver
Following the announcement, Tony Stewart Racing swiftly appointed Kerry Madsen as Schatz’s replacement for the remainder of the 2025 season. Madsen is no stranger to the team, having previously piloted the No. 14 car for TSR in 2021, where he captured six victories, three with the World of Outlaws. Stewart expressed confidence in the new addition, remarking,
“Kerry’s been in our car before and is a proven winner, so bringing him back feels natural,”
Stewart said in another release.
“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, Owner
Madsen’s debut this season for TSR is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at Ogilvie Raceway in Minnesota, as the World of Outlaws tour continues. Due to Madsen’s current commitment at Knoxville Raceway with VerMeer Madisen Racing in the track championship battle, TSR will utilize an interim driver for World of Outlaws events on August 22-23 in North Dakota.
Rico Abreu and Ricky Warner Join Forces with Stewart for 2026
Looking toward next season, Tony Stewart is assembling a new team dynamic. Rico Abreu, the 2014 USAC National Midget Series champion, is expected to merge his family’s No. 24 team with TSR following the current campaign. This merger could see the iconic No. 24 compete under the Tony Stewart Racing banner, an unprecedented move as TSR has previously raced only with car numbers 14, 15, and 20.
Adding further expertise to the team, former TSR crew chief Ricky Warner is also set to return. Warner was instrumental in directing Donny Schatz to 264 sprint car wins, 10 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series titles, and 10 Knoxville Nationals triumphs, making his involvement particularly significant for the team’s future prospects.
Abreu shared his thoughts on joining a top-tier sprint car program, stating,
“I see it as tying myself to a top-tier establishment. Like, I don’t know if you find anything bigger or better than Tony Stewart Racing in our industry,”
Abreu told FloRacing.
“If you really break it all down, resource-wise, when it comes to data and dissecting Sprint Cars on the mechanical side and infrastructure internally, like, I can’t provide my team with what he has built over 25 years.”
– Rico Abreu, Driver
NHRA and Family Commitments: Stewart’s Shifting Focus
Amid these changes in sprint car racing, Tony Stewart confirmed he will not race full-time for his own NHRA Top Fuel team next year. Instead, his wife, Leah Pruett, who temporarily stepped away from competition due to parenthood, will return to racing duties. This change highlights Stewart’s evolving priorities as he manages top roles in multiple racing disciplines.
As Kerry Madsen steps in and Rico Abreu prepares to join for the 2026 season, Tony Stewart Sprint Car Racing enters a new phase. The departure of Donny Schatz closes a historic chapter, while the addition of proven talents promises continued intensity and high expectations for the iconic team as it adapts to a rapidly changing motorsports landscape.
.@TonyStewart addresses the split from Donny Schatz. ⬅️➡️@DaleJr | @TonyStewart_Rcg pic.twitter.com/3p5GHeXhlf
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 17, 2025
