DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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The big question around Schatz's new CJB deal; a driver doesn't want to move, so they're fired | Daily 12-9-2025
Donny Schatz is joining CJB Motorsports, but can the two sides find some of their past speed and magic? Plus one second you're racing around a football field track with a Christmas tree on your roof, and the next your looking for a deal. And the Chili Bowl crosses 300 entries with several notable changes from past years. We'll talk all that and more. Let's go!
It's Tuesday, December 9th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
We'll start today with the big news from last night, and that was obviously Donny Schatz and CJB Motorsports announcing they are partnering up for 2026 to run the World of Outlaws full time. This possibility was something we talked about here on the show a few months ago, and Schatz admitted in his quotes to Sprint Car Unlimited's Jeremy Elliott yesterday that he did talk to CJB's owner Chad Clemens and Barry Jackson in the aftermath of losing his seat at TSR. His quote was "I spoke to them a few times about finishing the year and possibly going forward toward this year" unquote. After I mentioned it on the show, I was told the deal wasn't happening, but now here we are. It's an interesting turn of events, and apparently it all came together quickly, like within the last few days. The last thing I'd heard about Schatz's future was that he would very likely be back in that second Sides car with JVI support again, that was until a message I got back on Friday. That message read quote "You may already know, but Don Don to CJB." I didn't doubt the source, but given what's already transpired, I had a hard time believing it. That will teach me to sit on information, and then of course the news breaks not long after I post an episode of the Daily. Reading what Jeremy wrote in his story and what he was told from CJB crew chief Barry Jackson, this only came together within the last week or so. It makes me curious about what changed for Schatz and or CJB. With PRI looming, it seems like they probably had to get this news out quick once an agreement was decided on, so it wasn't going to be odd for CJB and potentially Schatz to be walking around the show wrapping up deals. It was reiterated multiple times in multiple places, but this deal for Schatz doesn't affect Brenham Crouch's future with the team. All signs were pointing towards him returning for a full High Limit run. Jackson himself will go with Schatz on tour with the Outlaws, and a new crew is being assembled for Crouch. And Schatz told DIRTVision's Connor Wade today that he's going to run the package that CJB has, not make them change to something else. So that means Maxim chassis with Kistler power on FK shocks. Donny was a long-time driver of chassis from J&J, and TSR eventually swapped to Spikes late in the year with Kerry Madsen. The final relevant detail here is this is so far only for 2026, and Schatz also told Wade that he doesn't have a contract with the team. Peeking into next year, this will be a pairing I'll be watching intently. Jackson and Schatz are two guys who've been doing it a long time, and certainly have their own ideas about how things should be run. Can two strong personalities like this find a way to co-exist and gel to find success and race wins. It's a very big question. Donny was winless in 2025, with his last victory coming at Lincoln late in 2024. And a CJB sprint car hasn't been to victory lane since Spencer Bayston won a shortened Outlaw race at Pevely in 2023. It seems like it's been a long time since Schatz was winning 20 or 30 races a season, and don't forget CJB won 20 in a season with David Gravel back in 2017. Both sides I think have something to prove, but it won't be easy. Can they recapture some of their past magic together and find victory lane again. We'll see.
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Some surprising news today in dirt late model racing with Coltman Farms announcing yet another driver is departing. Not long ago it was the news that Donald McIntosh was replacing Zack Mitchell, and now Tanner English is out just days after he ran the dome with a Christmas tree on the roof. In a statement this afternoon, Coltman Farms shared quote "Beginning in 2026, all Coltman Farms Racing teams will be based out of the team's race shop in Maysville, Georgia. Tanner English, who has been operating the team's No. 96 entry out of his own shop located in Benton, Illinois, has chosen not to relocate. Coltman Farms Racing wishes Tanner the best in the future. We are grateful for the success we shared together" unquote. This feels like one of those 'life comes at you fast' type moments. One day you're a full time Outlaw driver and running the dome, the next you don't want to move to Georgia and you're looking for a new deal. There hasn't been any comment yet from English's side, and we don't know what this means for the second Coltman Farms car. It sounded like Mitchell got replaced because he didn't want to run a tour full time, and all signs were pointing towards both Coltman entries being on tours next season. English finished the year ninth in the World of Outlaws standings with a win, seven top fives, and 14 top tens in 43 races.
On the Chili Bowl front, with just about a month to go before midgets are on track inside the Tulsa expo, the entry list has reached that pivotal 300 mark. Chilibowl.com shows 302 entries at the moment. A lot more big names have submitted their blanks, and there are some notable things to point out. Past winner Logan Seavey is back in a Swindell Speedlab entry, but he's got teammates this year. Speedlab running four cars, with Emerson Axsom, Kyle Cummins, and Jett Barnes joining Seavey. Axsom was in a Keith Kunz ride last year, and Cummins drove for Glenn Styres. Those two could be serious threats given what we've seen inside the building from Swindell cars. CB Industries is running five cars, with Daison Pursley, Justin Grant, Drake Edwards, Ty Gibbs, and Chris Windom driving. Gavan Boschele is in a car owned by Kyle Busch, and Christopher Bell is bringing a pair of cars. One for himself and one for Australian driver Kaidon Brown. So add Bell to the list of guys not back with KKM. Looking over the list, the Keith Kunz entries seem to be the major ones still missing. As we get closer to January, this list should swell closer to 330 entries.
Alright, that's it for today. As I said a few minutes ago, hit that subscribe button and like these shows wherever you are tuning in. You can leave comments on YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify. And you can see more dirt racing stuff over at dirtrackr.com.
Hope you guys have a great Tuesday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!