Kaulig Racing announced that Tony Stewart will compete in the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, marking Stewart’s first Truck Series start since 2005. NASCAR driver Kyle Busch issued a blunt warning to Stewart about the challenges he will face in this highly competitive event.
Stewart, a Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers, is returning to Truck racing at 54 years old after a long absence. This race will showcase the changes the sport has undergone since Stewart last competed in this series over two decades ago.
Kyle Busch’s Candid Remarks on Daytona Racing
Kyle Busch, a veteran NASCAR driver known for his frank opinions, shared a pointed perspective about Stewart’s upcoming Truck Series start. Busch highlighted the intense pressure on team owners during this event and suggested Stewart should be cautious about his expectations.
I need to get him one of my shirts I wore there a few years ago where this is the most expensive day of the year for the owners,
Busch said, via Peter Stratta of TSJSports.
I hope he doesn’t plan on finishing.
Busch clarified that his remarks were not intended as criticism of Stewart’s driving skills but rather a reflection of the demanding and aggressive nature of modern racing at Daytona.
Addressing the state of NASCAR competition, Busch expressed concerns about driver conduct and aggression on the track, which remain prevalent despite recent changes to the championship format.
When you watch all the children that race all year long in the ARCAs and the Late Models and other things and you see that stuff already, they’re taught from a very young age to dive bomb and run into them and door that guy,
Busch said.
Being a dad, I’ve heard those words and maybe I’ve said those words once or twice. I don’t think it will change a whole lot.
Busch also commented on the risk that crashes pose to championship hopes under NASCAR’s evolving playoff structures.
Any crashes will kill your championship run
– Kyle Busch
Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Legacy and Upcoming Race Details
Tony Stewart’s upcoming appearance in the Truck Series at Daytona will be not only a nostalgic return but also a notable test of his adaptability. Stewart’s last race in the Truck Series was in 2005 with Kevin Harvick Incorporated, and he has made only six starts in this series throughout his career.
Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 49 wins and has also claimed championships in other major racing series such as IndyCar, USAC, and IROC. More recently, Stewart has transitioned to NHRA drag racing, where he won the Top Fuel regular season championship in 2025.
Regarding his return to Truck racing, Stewart expressed enthusiasm about racing at Daytona in the Ram truck as part of their Free Agent Driver Program.
I’ve raced just about everything with four wheels at Daytona, but never a truck. So, when a seat in the new Ram was offered up for their first race back in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate,
Stewart said in a statement.
Ram’s Free Agent program is another great way for me to stay sharp and have a little fun.
What This Race Means for NASCAR and Stewart’s Comeback
Stewart’s participation at Daytona is significant both for fans and for the sport itself, as it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary racing dynamics. The Truck Series opener at Daytona is notoriously demanding, and Busch’s warning underscores how much the competition has intensified since Stewart’s last appearance.
This race will likely highlight the balance between Stewart’s veteran experience and the more aggressive racing culture that Busch described. Stewart’s return is poised to attract widespread attention, potentially influencing how other veteran drivers engage with NASCAR’s evolving formats.
As NASCAR continues to develop its championship structures and driver lineups, Stewart’s performance at Daytona may also serve as a benchmark for how well adaptable established stars are to modern racing environments.
.@KyleBusch gave his thoughts on NASCAR’s new/old format, testing at @NWBSpeedway, and his friendship with Greg Biffle.
“Any crashes will kill your championship run”#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/HGlnHnAQOh
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 13, 2026
