Tony Stewart Racing Bag Their First Win of the Season in the World of Outlaws

Donny Schatz just hit a monumental milestone with his 500th win, tearing it up at the Florida half-mile track. But it wasn’t just any win. It marked his 312th victory in the World of Outlaws and his 24th win at Volusia. Hot on his heels, Sheldon Haudenschild snagged second place with Carson Macedo rounding out the top three. David Gravel made an impressive comeback to finish fourth, especially after missing the Dash.

Tony Stewart’s driver Donny Schatz is proud of his 30 years of storied career

Tony Stewart’s Cup series team has been facing some challenges, with penalties at the start of the Las Vegas race. But the success in the World of Outlaws series is a silver lining for them.

Kicking off from the fourth spot, Schatz wasted no time tucking in behind Michael Kofoid as they charged into Turn 1, with the outside row taking an early lead over Sheldon Haudenschild and Giovanni Scelzi. Right from the get-go, fans were on the edge of their seats, sensing a memorable race unfolding.

Michael Kofoid, fresh on the scene and eyeing his first Outlaws victory, was off to a strong start. Yet, Donny Schatz kept him within reach for the first 13 laps of the 25-lap race. Schatz was a beast on the restarts, blasting into the lead every time the race went back to green, and managed to hold his ground through a nail-biter of a late-race caution with just a few laps to go, zooming ahead of the pack every time. Kofoid, who had notched three wins as a part-timer, was gunning for this win to kick his championship hopes into high gear. But fate had other plans—just after the halfway mark, disaster struck. Kofoid’s tire gave out as he barreled into Turn 1, sending him crashing into the wall.

Entering his 28th year with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour in 2024, Donny Schatz continues to show he’s got the magic touch, driving for Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing in the #15 car. The 10-time series champ didn’t slow down last year, finishing sixth overall with four wins under his belt, including snagging his sixth Kings Royal crown at Eldora Speedway, pocketing a cool $175,000.

“You’ve got to remember I’ve been around for 30 years of racing, since 1993. That’s a long time. If you divide up what’s there [in terms of seasons], it doesn’t look all that good on paper but it’s pretty humbling. It’s rewarding. I didn’t even really realize it until they said it,” Schatz shared with NBC Sports, leaning against his hauler.

And while the rest of the racing world seems to be buzzing about Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet’s new sprint series, Donny Schatz is keeping it classic. He’s not just sticking with the World of Outlaws; he’s out there showing everyone how it’s done, staying true to his roots in the midst of all the new hype.

Donny Schatz talks about the changing world of Sprint cars

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Donny Schatz, a legend with ten World of Outlaws championships under his belt, has seen plenty of changes in the world of sprint cars. Faced with the choice between chasing the big bucks with High Limit Racing or staying loyal to the World of Outlaws, Schatz chose the latter. He pointed out that a lot of folks seem to have lost touch with their roots, forgetting that back in the day, making it in the World of Outlaws was the dream for any aspiring sprint car driver. Nowadays, with everyone eyeing the bigger paycheck, it’s no wonder High Limit Racing seems so appealing.

Read More: NASCAR Insider Brushes Aside Tony Stewart and Co’s Glimpses of Resurgence as a Cup Powerhouse

Schatz didn’t hold back his thoughts, hinting that the success of High Limit Racing might hinge on the team behind the scenes, especially since Kyle’s juggling a packed schedule and Brad’s still racing. 

“In any business success is built upon good people. Tony’s [Tony Stewart] staff could stand on their own two feet but I am not sure yet about the High crew.”

For NASCAR enthusiasts, it’s a waiting game to see how High Limit Racing shakes out for both the drivers hitting the track and the fans cheering them on.