Tony Stewart is making a comeback to NASCAR. Kaulig Racing revealed on Tuesday that the three-time Cup Series champion will be behind the wheel for the Truck Series season opener at Daytona on February 13th.
Kaulig Racing is leading RAM’s return to NASCAR, with the automaker joining the Truck Series for the 2026 season. This marks the first time since 2016 that four manufacturers will compete in the series, following Dodge’s last participation that year. Stewart, whose NHRA team drives Dodges, will be one of several drivers sharing duties across Kaulig’s five trucks this season.
At age 54, Stewart hasn’t raced in NASCAR since his retirement after the 2016 season. That year, an injury from a dune buggy accident caused him to miss the first eight races, but he bounced back with a win at Sonoma and ultimately finished 15th in the standings.
This event marks Stewart’s first return to the Truck Series in over two decades. Throughout his career, he has raced six times in the series, with his last start in 2005, where he notched one top-five finish in two races and secured two victories at Richmond in the early 2000s.
Although Stewart never claimed a Daytona 500 win—NASCAR’s marquee race—he has enjoyed significant success at Daytona. His victories include four Summer Cup Series races at the track, and seven of his 11 career Xfinity Series wins were season openers at Daytona.
In 2025, Stewart substituted for his wife Leah Pruett on the Tony Stewart Racing Team in NHRA’s Top Fuel category, and come 2026, the pair will compete against each other. Pruett plans to return to car racing after their first child is born, while Stewart will pursue a full-time career in Elite Motorsport.
Fan Take: Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR after two decades is thrilling news for fans, reigniting excitement around a legendary driver and injecting fresh energy into the Truck Series. His involvement with RAM and Kaulig Racing could inspire new rivalries and elevate competition, signaling a vibrant future for the sport.
