Donny Schatz Unravels the Importance of His 28th World of Outlaws Stint Moments After Tony Stewart Racing Re-signing

Donny Schatz, a key player from Tony Stewart Racing, is a full-time contender in the World of Outlaws series, steering the #15 Ford with finesse. Not long ago, he was honored with an induction into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. But this accolade doesn’t mean he’s ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Recently, Schatz dropped some news that’s got the racing world buzzing: he’s gearing up for his 28th season in the series, a revelation he made at the 35th PRI Trade Show. Following this announcement, Donny Schatz swung by the Performance Racing Industry booth, where he shared some pivotal moments and highlights from his racing odyssey, keeping the audience riveted with tales from his storied career.

Tony Stewart Racing driver Donny Schatz reflects on his journey in the World of Outlaws

Donny Schatz, who kicked off his racing career at the tender age of 11 in go-karts, quickly shifted gears to 358 sprint cars by the age of 15 at Red River Valley Speedway. He soon upped the ante to 410 sprints, joining the World of Outlaws series at 18. His journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable, boasting ten World of Outlaws championships and an impressive tally of 309 wins. Not to mention, he’s crossed the finish line first at the Knoxville Nationals eleven times.

Schatz’s adventure with the World of Outlaws, which began in 1997 with a Rookie of the Year award, is dotted with cherished memories. According to him, deciding to return for the next season was a no-brainer. Reflecting on the impact of the World of Outlaws driving for Tony Stewart Racing, Donny Schatz shared, “Being able to become one of his world of outlaws and obviously in today’s environment we’re not gonna see young guys don’t get to see that Ted Johnson, but they still get to see his vision and what’s here. That’s why I’m here. I mean, I’ve got 28 years with it. I still obviously times change. It’s grown.”

“Things have gotten better. It’s been able to bring more people into this, to more fans, more racetracks, and create an awesome product. So, for me, it’s being a part of that and helped growing that. And I can still see Ted’s vision and something. Sometimes I ask myself, what would Ted do?”

However, it’s not always smooth sailing. He candidly spoke about the challenges of life on the road, acknowledging that there are nights when races don’t pan out as hoped, leading one to question their choices. But for Schatz, this is all par for the course. He also expressed gratitude for being part of the high-stakes, big-money races in the dirt world.

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Sprint car racing is more than a sport to Schatz; it’s a passion. Recently, he also shared a touching moment from his hometown, further cementing his deep connection to the racing world.

Donny Schatz on the thrill of racing before a hometown crowd

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Donny Schatz took a moment to reflect on his deep-rooted connection with sprint car racing, emphasizing that for him, it’s much more than a sport; it’s akin to a family tradition. With his parents playing crucial roles and the lasting friendships he’s made along the way, it’s clear that his heart is firmly planted in the racing world. He admitted that debuting in a World of Outlaws race, particularly in front of a hometown audience, can give you butterflies.

Donny Schatz elaborated that, as a racer, while one’s primary focus is on the competition, there’s also a sense of giving back to the fans. Showing gratitude, he believes, is about shining your brightest when it matters most. He recounted that whenever he sets foot in River City, enters the gates of the River Valley Speedway, or visits any of the tracks that witnessed his early strides, he’s still overcome with emotion.

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“Really satisfying as a driver to be able to go and race in front of those hometown crowds and escalate yourself, bring yourself to the next level,” Schatz said. “It doesn’t matter what the reason but when you are running in those home tracks it’s for them.”