From the moment Tony Stewart swapped his NASCAR fire suit for dirt gear, he became a force in sprint car racing. Stewart’s story in the World of Outlaws isn’t just about trophies. As a team owner, he built a powerhouse with Tony Stewart Racing that redefined dominance, fielding drivers like Donny Schatz and Danny Lasoski. After nearly two decades of racing together, Tony Stewart and Donny Schatz formed one of the most successful partnerships in dirt-track history. But that chapter ended sadly in August.

Tony Stewart Racing let go of Shatz, citing performance reasons while acknowledging his important contribution to the team for so many years. Luckily, Shatz got a ride in the No. 15 for Big Game Motorsports for the next seven World of Outlaws races. However, this didn’t help his season any better, as for the first time since 1997, Shatz will have a winless season as his current one ended prematurely at Charlotte.

Tony Stewart’s ex-driver’s season goes from bad to worse

At the Charlotte World Finals, very early in the race around Lap 2, Donny Shatz was involved in a flip as his car went upside down, calling for a red flag. Luckily, all drivers, including Shatz, were okay. The final results show him placed 26th in the ranks.

“It’s possible we may have a winless season, but that’s just life, man. There’s worse things in the world. The future, what’s in front of me looks better than what’s behind me, so that’s all you can focus on,” he said post the race.

This loss a big sting in Shatz’ storied career, someone who’s been a titan in World of Outlaws sprint car racing and been Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) star driver for 18 years. The 48-year-old has won 10 WoO championships, eight of them coming with TSR, and has over 315 wins. Schatz’s powerful legacy includes dominant streaks like five consecutive championships from 2014 to 2018 and 11 Knoxville Nationals victories.

The 2025 season, however, didn’t go as planned. Schatz was released by Tony Stewart Racing in August, ending their long-time partnership that shaped modern sprint car racing. TSR’s owner, Tony Stewart, acknowledged, “We’ve weathered changes in the sport and our performance hasn’t been to the level that both Donny and I expect,” reflecting the shared frustration. Schatz struggled with adapting to new teams after the departure and was unable to secure a win in competitive fields.

And now, he had to encounter this tough outing at Charlotte’s World Finals, where chaos on the second start attempt left him trapped and unable to compete for the win, capping off a difficult year. Despite the setbacks, Schatz’s determination remains steadfast. He’s expected to return in 2026, motivated to reclaim his winning form.

Schatz’s impact on the sport is undeniable. He’s third all-time in WoO wins, a benchmark for excellence alongside legends like Steve Kinser. Though 2025 marked a low point, his legacy and fighting spirit set the stage for a strong comeback as he aims to continue contributing to sprint car racing’s rich history.

His journey highlights both the challenges of competitive motorsports and the resilience required to remain a top contender over decades, even when faced with career adversity.

Charlotte World Finals results

The World of Outlaws World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte reached its thrilling conclusion on November 8, 2025, showcasing high-speed action and intense competition on the half-mile dirt oval. The sprint cars lined up with David Gravel and Parker Price-Miller on the front row, setting the stage for a 25-lap battle to close out the season.

From the green flag, Gravel took an early lead, but the race was punctuated by multiple cautions, including a high-speed flip by Justin Peck and a red flag when Donny Schatz also went upside down during a chaotic restart. Thankfully, all drivers were unharmed, but the incidents underscored the frantic nature of World of Outlaws racing.

After a lightning delay paused the event mid-race, the competition resumed with Gravel still in front. Buddy Kofoid launched a strong charge, overtaking Price-Miller for second and eventually taking the lead after Gravel spun out on lap 15, hitting the wall and causing a red flag.

Kofoid held the lead in the closing laps despite challenges from Rico Abreu, who aggressively tried to close the gap but lost ground after jumping the cushion in the final laps. Kofoid’s skillful driving earned him the victory. It was a career milestone win at the prestigious World Finals.

Behind Kofoid, Rico Abreu finished second, followed by Corey Day in third, Michael Kofoid in fourth, and Parker Price-Miller rounding out the top five. Meanwhile, Donny Schatz’s race had already ended due to that early flip.

The Charlotte World Finals once again proved why this event is considered one of dirt racing’s biggest stages, delivering drama, speed, and memorable moments as the 2025 season came to a fiery close.