Tony Stewart’s Newly Inducted Hall of Fame Driver Caps Off the Season With Another Milestone

The ace driver of Tony Stewart, Donny Schatz recently hit another milestone, cruising into third place for his 20th podium finish. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. After getting inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, when he came on race in the series finale, it marked a whopping 27 years of Schatz’s unwavering commitment to the NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. This season, he notched up his 309th win, including a triumphant sixth victory at the Kings Royal in Eldora Speedway.

In fact, Donny Schatz’s trophy cabinet is brimming with more than just race wins. He’s clinched a remarkable 10 championship titles in his illustrious World of Outlaws career, proving he’s not just a flash in the pan but a true legend of the track.

The Sprint Car of Tony Stewart driver truly shone this season

In his 27th year on the circuit, Donny Schatz flexed his racing muscles, storming into the top five in half of the first eight races with the Tony Stewart RCG racing team. As the season wrapped up, Schatz clinched the 6th spot in the overall points tally. This year, the Fargo, North Dakota, legend sparkled, reminding everyone of his golden days, and he’s sure to be the center of attention as 2024 revs up.

At Devil’s Bowl in late March, Schatz hit a bit of a bump in the road, finishing 12th, the start of a seven-race streak outside the top 10. Yet the rough patch paved the way for his most impressive performances of 2023. The 10-time series champion bagged two podium finishes at Aldora in early May and another top three at Williams Grove the following week. The tide turned when the action moved back to Ohio, where Schatz clinched his first win of the year with a stunning late-race maneuver at Attica Raceway Park. The next night, he triumphed again at Sharon Speedway and soon added two more podiums to his tally.

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Schatz’s crowning moment came at the 40th Kings Royal, leading all 40 laps to snag his 6th victory in this prestigious race, pocketing a cool $175,000. A month later, at the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals, Schatz was eyeing equaling Steve Kinzer’s record of 12 titles. He showed incredible form, zooming from 7th to victory lane in the preliminaries. On the final race day, he soared to second place before finishing third, marking his 20th podium finish in this illustrious event. Riding this wave, Schatz notched up nine more top-10 finishes, including four more podium appearances.

He dazzled once more at the Carquest Auto Parts 15, seizing the lead at Lakeside in October with a masterful pass just before the Y flag. Wrapping up the year 6th in points, Schatz once again proved he’s still got that magic touch.

2023 wasn’t his only highlight. In 2021, Schatz climbed the ranks to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In his debut Truck Series race at Knoxville Raceway, driving the No. 17 for David Gilliland Racing, he faced a tough race, finishing 84th. Despite not shining in NASCAR, Schatz’s racing prowess earned him a spot in the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, a feat that clearly thrilled him.

Donny Schatz shared a heartfelt moment: strolling through the River Valley Speedway 

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Donny Schatz reflected on his journey, saying sprint car racing was more than just a sport for him; it was a family affair. His parents played pivotal roles, and the friendships forged along the way are what he cherishes most. He confessed that making your debut in the World of Outlaws race, especially in front of your home crowd, can tie your stomach in knots.

Schatz went on to say, “As a driver, you are there to compete but yet you are like giving back to the fans and showing them your appreciation is doing your best and having your best and brightest moments right then and there. My walking through the River City, when I walk in the gate of River Valley Speedway, and all the places where I grew up, I still get that lump in my throat.

“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. It doesn’t matter what the reason but when you are running in those home tracks it’s for them”, he continued.

Read More: Tony Stewart Veteran Driver Honored by Getting Inducted Into Hall of Fame After an Illustrious Career

Looking ahead, who do you think might be the next big name to join the ranks of the Hall of Fame in sprint car racing in the coming years?