Donny Schatz has departed Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing after nearly twenty years, according to the latest Tony Stewart racing news. The acclaimed driver is set to join CJB Motorsports for the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, signaling a significant change in the racing landscape.
Longstanding Collaboration Between Schatz and Stewart Comes to an End
In August, Donny Schatz, a multiple-time series champion, and Tony Stewart, former NASCAR Cup Series driver and team owner, concluded their partnership that had helped shape the organization’s legacy. Stewart has credited Schatz with being pivotal in the team’s development, sharing the depth of their bond and mutual respect.
“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 and Former NASCAR Cup Series Driver remarked.
“We’re both competitors to our core and we both hold ourselves to a high standard of performance that we’ve struggled to obtain. Making a change now gives each of us the chance to reset and refocus before 2026,”
Stewart added.
Schatz’s New Challenge with CJB Motorsports for 2026
Donny Schatz’s move marks his return to the series with a new team as CJB Motorsports re-enters World of Outlaws competition after last racing with Spencer Bayston in 2023. CJB, established in 2005, boasts 52 career victories and is looking to build on its success. Schatz will partner with experienced crew chief Barry Jackson as he embarks on his 30th full season in the series. His most recent race with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing was the 2025 Knoxville Nationals, where he finished eleventh.
Following Schatz’s departure, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing chose Kerry Madsen to pilot their No. 15 entry for the rest of the 2025 season, maintaining the team’s presence in top competition.
Tony Stewart’s Next Move: Competing Alongside and Against His Wife
In other Tony Stewart racing news, the NASCAR champion is preparing for a new chapter as he joins Elite Motorsports for the 2026 NHRA season. This shift comes soon after announcing that he would vacate his Tony Stewart Racing Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster to make way for his wife, Leah Pruett, who has recovered and will return to competition.
As Stewart transitions teams, he finds himself set to compete directly against his wife through the 2026 season. Despite Elite Motorsports and Stewart Racing having a marketing alliance, the couple’s rivalry will be a key storyline in the coming year. Team owner Richard Freeman commented on the significance of Stewart’s involvement:
“Tony is a great driver; we all know he can drive anything. He’s great for drag racing, not just as a team owner but behind the wheel. We’re excited that through our marketing alliance with Tony Stewart Racing, we’re creating an opportunity for Tony to keep a Top Fuel seat and a chance to race alongside his wife, Leah.”
— Richard Freeman, Team Owner, Elite Motorsports
Leah Pruett’s Continued Success and Racing Credentials
Leah Pruett, a prominent competitor in the NHRA, will return to racing after her latest win at the 2023 Norwalk Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Ohio. She has accumulated 18 career wins, including 12 in Top Fuel, three in Pro Mod, and three in Factory Stock Showdown, underscoring her formidable reputation in the sport.
A New Era for Teams and Drivers
As Donny Schatz prepares to start the next phase of his career with CJB Motorsports, and Tony Stewart embarks on new challenges both within and outside his own organization, the 2026 racing season is shaping up to be pivotal. Their decisions are set to influence not only their respective teams but also the broader racing community, setting the stage for renewed rivalries and fresh opportunities for victories.
