On August 12, 2025, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) announced a surprising midseason separation from Donny Schatz, the celebrated ten-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion. This decision abruptly ended an 18-year partnership that brought TSR ten World of Outlaws titles and nine Knoxville Nationals wins, triggering shock and dismay among fans of sprint car racing. The move, occurring just days after Schatz’s last race with the team at the Knoxville Nationals on August 9, has raised questions about TSR’s direction and the timing of this split.
Tony Stewart confirmed that Kerry Madsen would take over driving duties for the team’s iconic No. 15 car through the remainder of 2025, with an interim driver filling in later this month. Stewart attributed the change to recent struggles in performance and a needed “reset” for the squad, though many fans see the dismissal of Schatz midseason as a disruptive and unnecessary fracture of one of the sport’s most enduring and successful collaborations.
Addressing Schatz’s contribution, Stewart stated,
“Donny has been an incredible part of TSR for nearly two decades, he’s helped build this organization into what it is today,”
underscoring Schatz’s integral role in the team’s legacy.
Donny Schatz’s Illustrious Track Record and Impact on TSR
Donny Schatz’s impact on sprint car racing is profound. With 234 World of Outlaws wins for TSR and 27 consecutive Knoxville Nationals A-main appearances, Schatz has been a consistent and formidable presence in the sport. Even in his last outing for TSR, he advanced from the B-main to finish 11th in the fiercely competitive Knoxville Nationals A-main, demonstrating his resilience and skill despite the team’s struggles.
The Schatz-Stewart alliance has been historically admired for its close, almost familial relationship, built on mutual respect and remarkable success. Their collaboration yielded eight WoO championships and nine prestigious Knoxville Nationals victories, positioning TSR as one of the dominant forces in dirt track racing. Schatz’s departure leaves a void not easily filled, and the sudden nature of the split has intensified speculation about the team’s future stability.
Fan Backlash and Criticism of Stewart’s Decision
The announcement triggered strong backlash on social media platforms, notably on X, where longtime fans expressed disbelief and frustration. Many compared TSR’s current turbulence to the decline experienced by Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR as Tony Stewart’s attention shifted toward drag racing.
Critics argue that the root problem lies not with Schatz but with the performance and consistency of the car itself. As one fan candidly remarked,
“Seems like the logical thing to do. Fire your driver but ignore that the car looks like shit and unbalanced almost every night,”
highlighting the tension between driver accountability and technical shortcomings.
Another supporter added sharp criticism of Stewart’s handling of the situation, stating,
“Just add this to the list of stupid things Tony has done,”
reflecting growing unease about Stewart’s leadership choices, which many believe have damaged the team’s momentum and fan goodwill over recent years.
Donny Schatz’s impressive résumé intensifies the controversy surrounding his release. Ranking third on the all-time World of Outlaws win list with 316 victories—including 10 WoO championships and 11 Knoxville Nationals titles—Schatz is widely regarded as one of the greatest sprint car drivers in history. For many followers, parting ways with a driver of his caliber midseason without clear resolution seems imprudent and shortsighted. One fan’s comment highlighted this sentiment:
Pretty shady that didn’t even let Donny finish season after giving them countless wins, championships, Knoxville Nationals titles. For all we know TSR closing the sprint car shop for good at the end of 25’.
—Supporter
Technical Challenges and Team Dynamics Behind the Decision
Throughout 2025, Donny Schatz has frequently battled an inconsistent and unbalanced car setup, especially on slick track surfaces where handling precision is crucial. Despite these obstacles, Schatz continued to deliver respectable finishes, but appearances of imbalance and performance dips remained. Critics suggest that firing Schatz alone fails to address the underlying technical issues that have plagued TSR’s sprint cars.
The decision to replace the team’s stalwart with Kerry Madsen midseason introduces further uncertainty, as fans wonder whether this change will improve the squad’s competitiveness or merely continue a pattern of instability. Stewart’s increased commitment to NHRA drag racing fuels speculation that TSR might deprioritize sprint car racing moving forward, making Schatz’s departure a possible indicator of deeper restructuring or even a program shutdown by the end of the season.
Legacy of a Historic Partnership and Uncertain Future
The Schatz and Stewart partnership is among the longest and most successful in motorsport history, and its abrupt end has unsettled the racing community. The duo’s collaboration yielded multiple championships and memorable victories, cementing their place in sprint car lore. Fans feel that Schatz’s midseason exit denies him a proper farewell and reflects broader challenges within TSR as it navigates evolving priorities.
The debate surrounding this shakeup centers on loyalty, leadership, and the balance between preserving legacy and pursuing future success. Whether Tony Stewart’s decision proves wise or costly will become clearer in the months ahead, as TSR aims to recalibrate its sprint car program amid fan scrutiny and competitive pressures.
