Donny Schatz, after stepping away from Tony Stewart Racing following a challenging 2025 season, has delivered a determined message about his future ambitions as he prepares for the coming year. The latest Tony Stewart racing updates detail Schatz’s bold outlook as he transitions to CBJ Motorsports for the 2026 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.
Donny Schatz’s Departure from Tony Stewart Racing
Donny Schatz concluded an 18-year tenure with Tony Stewart Racing at the close of the 2025 season. He originally joined the squad in 2008, maintaining remarkable performance across nearly two decades until he was let go in August 2025. During his final season, Schatz was unable to notch a victory—a first since his 1997 rookie campaign—prompting the team to bring in Kerry Madsen as his replacement in the No. 15 car. To close out the year, Schatz piloted four separate cars but couldn’t reclaim his winning form, marking the end of an era with the team.
New Beginnings with CBJ Motorsports
As he approaches his 30th season in the World of Outlaws, Donny Schatz will take on a new challenge in 2026 with CBJ Motorsports, again piloting the No. 15. He will work alongside Barry Jackson, who joins as his mechanic, aiming for immediate results. At the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Awards, Schatz expressed confidence in the partnership and his return to form:
“It’s not going to take us six months to get going or get a win. I feel like we can get going right away because of Barry’s experience and my experience and, obviously, a fresh start. Those guys have been open to anything. They’ve asked me a lot what it is I want to do here and there.”
— Donny Schatz, Driver
Schatz, a ten-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion with an incredible tally of 315 victories, will be looking to add to his legacy starting with the 2026 season opener at Volusia Speedway Park. This venue has proven favorable for Schatz in the past, accounting for 24 of his career wins.
Tony Stewart Explains Racing Series Differences
Beyond Schatz’s story, Tony Stewart recently illustrated the distinctions between different motorsport disciplines in a conversation with Kevin Harvick on Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. Stewart, recognized for his achievements as both a NASCAR Cup Series champion and a prominent team owner, clarified how radically stock car racing contrasts with the NHRA drag racing series.
He noted that while NHRA drag races are extremely brief, typically lasting only three to four seconds, NASCAR races can extend over three or four hours and involve hundreds of laps and multiple pit stops. Stewart said:
“It’s not like what you and I were used to, where we’ve got a three-and-a-half-hour race. We’ve got six or eight pit stops during the day, and we have three, four, or five hundred laps to get the job done. If we make a mistake, we’re going to fix it.”
— Tony Stewart, Team Owner
Stewart emphasized that while vehicle performance accounts for 70% of the outcome in NASCAR, NHRA results hinge almost entirely on fine-tuning the car. He also pointed out the additional physical burden on drag racers, with their race suits weighing ten pounds more than those used in NASCAR stock car events.
Impact and What Lies Ahead
Donny Schatz embarks on a significant milestone in his racing journey after parting ways with Tony Stewart Racing, aiming to revitalize his career with a proven team and experienced personnel at CBJ Motorsports. His bold assertion signals an optimistic outlook for a quick turnaround, with the 2026 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series positioned as a stage for potential redemption.
Meanwhile, Tony Stewart’s insights offer fans a renewed appreciation for the technical and physical demands unique to each racing discipline. As both legends chart new paths—Schatz in pursuit of victory and Stewart continuing to shape motorsports—fans following Tony Stewart racing updates can expect an engaging season ahead.
