On January 13, 2026, Tony Stewart, former NASCAR Cup Series champion and team owner, announced he would make a surprising return to the NASCAR Truck Series by driving a RAM truck fielded by Kaulig Racing. This news drew a strong reaction from Dale Earnhardt Jr., who questioned the wisdom behind Stewart’s decision to compete at Daytona International Speedway after a long break from stock car racing.
Stewart’s comeback marks his first appearance in a Truck Series race since 2005 and his first NASCAR competition overall since 2016. The RAM truck manufacturer is entering the Craftsman Series for the first time, with five trucks slated to compete, including a unique #25 entry reserved for various rotating free agents. Stewart is set to drive the #25 in the season opener at Daytona, signaling a major promotional push for Dodge and RAM in NASCAR.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Questions Stewart’s Choice of Daytona for Return
During an episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. expressed skepticism about Stewart’s choice to race at Daytona right away, calling it “the doozy” of all options. He noted Stewart’s long absence from the Truck Series and stock car racing, suggesting that starting the comeback at such a challenging track seemed questionable.
“He picked the doozy. Damn goodness. The dude don’t get **** because now I wouldn’t have picked Daytona. I want to pick somewhere else. It must be writing him a nice check. I’ll say that.” ?Dale Earnhardt Jr., Former NASCAR Driver
Earnhardt Jr. also highlighted the promotional motive behind the move, explaining that Dodge aims to generate buzz and media attention rather than just winning races quietly.
“They want to create noise. They want to create a splash. They want to this doesn’t work for Dodge by just building trucks, cars going out, and winning races. They need the story. They need to be the big deal on social media. They need everybody talking about this. This is a start. That is the way that they’ll get their board and everybody at Dodge to help support financially,” he concluded.
Stewart has a notable, though limited, Truck Series history with six starts and two wins at Richmond Raceway, plus a strong runner-up finish at Dover Motor Speedway. His return, especially at Daytona, is expected to draw significant attention from fans and media alike.
Insight into Stewart’s Perspective on Daytona versus Chili Bowl
Ahead of the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, Stewart spoke in an interview with FloRacing about the differences between that event and the Daytona 500, offering insights into the challenges of both.
He explained that while the Daytona 500 features more than 40 cars competing over 200 laps, the Chili Bowl draws over 300 entrants for a short-track midget race. Stewart emphasized that the longer Daytona race allows some recovery from early mistakes, unlike the Chili Bowl, where heat races determine the main event starting positions and a slip-up can be costly immediately.
“There’s so many good drivers and teams out there that you really can’t afford to make a mistake in the Daytona 500; you can have a bad pit stop. You can get a pit road speeding penalty, and you can recover from it. It is very hard to recover from when the state gets chilly. It is a 380-person bar room brawl, and at the end of it, somebody is going to take home a golden driller.” ?Tony Stewart, Former NASCAR Champion and Team Owner
Stewart himself is a two-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner from 2002 and 2007 and will serve as the Grand Marshal for the event’s 40th edition this year. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, the defending Chili Bowl champion, will face competition from fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell, making this year’s race especially competitive.
What Stewart’s Return Means for NASCAR and Its Fans
Tony Stewart’s return to the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona is poised to create a sensation within the racing community, especially as it aligns with Dodge’s larger campaign to boost its presence in stock car racing. While some veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr. question the timing and venue, the move undeniably raises the profile of the Truck Series opener and generates significant fan interest heading into the 2026 season.
Stewart’s comeback also highlights the evolving landscape of NASCAR, where veteran drivers find new avenues to re-enter competition, sometimes amid changing team alliances and manufacturer support. The impact of this return will be closely watched, with many eager to see if Stewart can translate his past success to the highly competitive Truck Series after a long hiatus.
