The $3 Million Gamble: 5 Shocking Facts About Tony Stewart’s FPS 410 Engine Program And The Donny Schatz Split

The Tony Stewart engine program is currently at a crucial inflection point, dominated by a massive multi-million dollar investment in a new engine platform and a stunning, high-profile split with a legendary driver. As of December 2025, the core of the program revolves around the development and deployment of the Ford Performance FPS 410 Sprint Car engine, a project years in the making that aims to challenge the established order in dirt track racing. This ambitious venture, personally backed by "Smoke," represents a significant technical and financial commitment to the highest levels of open-wheel competition.

This program has recently made headlines not just for its technical innovation, but for a major shakeup in the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) camp. The announcement following the Knoxville Nationals that 10-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz would part ways with TSR after 18 seasons sent shockwaves through the motorsports world. This separation is intrinsically linked to the performance and future of the FPS 410 engine, leaving the entire Sprint Car community wondering about the program's immediate future and its path to championship glory in the upcoming 2026 season.

Tony Stewart: The Man Behind the $3 Million Racing Empire

Tony Stewart, a motorsports icon, has transitioned from one of the most successful drivers in history to a powerful team owner and series promoter. His career spans multiple disciplines, earning him a unique perspective on engine development and race team management. Here is a brief look at his profile:

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• Full Name: Anthony Wayne Stewart
• Nickname: Smoke
• Date of Birth: May 20, 1971
• Hometown: Columbus, Indiana
• Major Championships: 3-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, 1997 IndyCar Series Champion, 4-time USAC National Champion (The only driver to win the 'Triple Crown' of USAC: Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown titles).
• Team Ownership: Co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (NASCAR), Owner of Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), and Co-founder of the SRX Series.
• Track Ownership: Owner of Eldora Speedway and Macon Speedway.
• Current Driving Focus (2025/2026): NHRA Top Fuel Drag Racing with Elite Motorsports. [cite: 7, 8, 12 from previous search, 10 from previous search]

1. The $3 Million Investment: Inside the FPS 410 Sprint Car Engine Program

The FPS 410 engine program is the culmination of a nearly decade-long technical collaboration between Tony Stewart Racing and Ford Performance. [cite: 10 from previous search] Stewart’s deep roots in dirt track racing drove his desire to develop a competitive, purpose-built 410 cubic inch (410ci) engine for the national Sprint Car circuits, particularly the World of Outlaws (WoO). The goal was to reintroduce Ford as a major player in a market long dominated by custom-built Chevrolet-based V8s.

The financial commitment to this venture is staggering. Tony Stewart himself revealed that he poured just under $3 million of his own money into the program's development. [cite: 2 from previous search] This massive investment underscores the difficulty and expense of engineering a competitive, durable, and reliable power plant capable of winning at the highest level of Sprint Car racing, where engines regularly exceed 900 horsepower.

The engine, officially named the FPS 410—short for Ford Performance Stewart 410—is a testament to modern engineering. Its technical specifications are designed to maximize performance within the stringent rules of the sport:

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• Configuration: V8
• Displacement: 410 Cubic Inches (410ci)
• Bank Angle: 90-degree
• Compression Ratio: A high 16:1 ratio, typical of high-performance race engines.

The program aims to make the FPS 410 commercially available to the broader Sprint Car community, shifting the dynamic of the sport by offering a viable, factory-backed alternative to the traditional engine suppliers.

2. The Shocking Split: Donny Schatz and the Ford Engine Conundrum

The most explosive news surrounding the program is the recent split between Tony Stewart Racing and legendary driver Donny Schatz. After an extraordinary 18-year partnership that yielded ten World of Outlaws championships and nine Knoxville Nationals victories, the two parted ways following the 2025 Knoxville Nationals. [cite: 4, 5, 6, 7 from previous search]

While the separation was officially announced as a mutual decision, the underlying factor is widely understood to be the performance and readiness of the FPS 410 engine. Schatz, a meticulous and fiercely competitive driver, was instrumental in the engine's early testing and development. However, the move away from the Ford engine program was confirmed, with Schatz and his team choosing to run a different engine manufacturer for the upcoming season.

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This decision highlights the immense pressure in top-tier motorsports to deliver immediate results. The FPS 410, while a technological marvel, faced growing pains and performance consistency issues against the established, proven engine packages of competitors. Losing a driver of Schatz's caliber, who was the face of the team and the primary development driver for the engine, is a significant blow to the program's credibility and its path to a WoO championship. The split effectively leaves the FPS 410 program without its flagship driver, forcing TSR to quickly realign its strategy.

3. TSR’s 25th Anniversary Season and a New Chapter

Despite the high-profile departure of Schatz, Tony Stewart Racing is moving forward with a major milestone: the 2025 season marks the team's 25th anniversary in motorsports. This celebration of a quarter-century of racing success provides a powerful narrative to rally around as the team navigates its new chapter.

The team is currently focused on securing a new driver lineup and crew structure to continue campaigning the FPS 410 on the national circuit. Updates have already been released regarding crew chief and crew member changes for the 2025 Sprint Car team, signaling a major organizational shift.

For Tony Stewart himself, his focus is broadening. Beyond his role as a team owner and track proprietor, "Smoke" is fully engaged in his own driving career in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). He has confirmed his plans to continue competing in the premier NHRA Top Fuel class in 2026 with Elite Motorsports, a commitment that keeps him firmly in the cockpit and in the public eye. [cite: 10 from previous search, 7 from previous search, 12 from previous search]

4. The Broader OEM Battle in 410 Sprint Cars

The FPS 410 program is not an isolated effort; it is part of a larger trend of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) returning to the 410 Sprint Car discipline. For decades, the class has been dominated by independent engine builders using established V8 architecture. However, Ford Performance, alongside rivals like Toyota Racing Development (TRD), is investing heavily in purpose-built 410 engines.

This influx of OEM money and engineering prowess is a game-changer for the sport. It elevates the level of technical competition and brings a new level of professionalism and funding. The FPS 410 is Ford's spearhead in this battle, aiming to leverage its nine years of development with TSR to gain a competitive edge. The success or failure of the FPS 410 will significantly influence whether other OEMs continue to invest in this highly competitive, grassroots form of racing.

5. The Future: A Test of Technical Prowess and Perseverance

The future of the Tony Stewart engine program is now a test of perseverance and technical refinement. The FPS 410 has the technical specifications and the engineering backing of Ford Performance, but it must prove its performance consistency on the track without its most celebrated driver, Donny Schatz. The challenge is immense: to quickly iron out the performance gaps and attract a new, championship-caliber driver who can deliver wins and validate the $3 million investment.

For Tony Stewart, the "Smoke" persona is synonymous with resilience. His commitment to the FPS 410 remains strong, viewing the engine as a vital part of TSR’s legacy and his personal mission to elevate Sprint Car racing. As the 25th anniversary season kicks off, all eyes will be on the new TSR lineup to see if the Ford Performance FPS 410 can finally deliver on its promise and become a dominant force in the World of Outlaws.