Tony Stewart is set to make his return to the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona for the first time since 2005, but Kyle Busch has delivered a blunt warning ahead of the race. During a recent test at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Busch made it clear that Stewart should not expect an easy ride in the fiercely competitive event.
Tony Stewart’s Return to NASCAR Truck Series Confirmed for Daytona
After months of speculation around Ram Truck’s re-entry into NASCAR, it is now official that three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will be behind the wheel of Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 for the season opener on Friday, February 13. This marks Stewart’s first Truck Series start since finishing second at Dover in 2005, but much has changed since then, including more aggressive competition and faster vehicles at Daytona.
Daytona’s Intensified Racing Environment and Busch’s Experience with Wrecks
The Truck Series has grown tougher over the years, turning Daytona into a notoriously chaotic battleground. Races that once saw only a handful of cautions now regularly feature double-digit incidents. Busch has witnessed the harsh realities firsthand, with several crashes involving prominent drivers such as Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, and John Hunter Nemechek disrupting previous races.
I need to get him one of my shirts that I wore there a few years ago, where this is the most expensive day of the year for the owners,
Busch said (via FanBuzz), referring to a shirt depicting burning money, symbolizing the high costs and risks associated with the Daytona opener.
The Culture of Aggression in Truck Series Racing and Busch’s Remarks
Busch doesn’t anticipate changes in race dynamics despite modifications in rules and playoff formats. He emphasized that drivers mature through a culture that encourages aggressive tactics from a young age.
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, very young age to dive bomb and run into them and door that guy,
he explained.
Adding a personal note mixed with seriousness, Busch said,
Being a dad, I’ve heard those words (I had to do it), and maybe I’ve said those words once or twice, but it’s… yeah, I don’t think you’ll… You won’t change a whole lot.
Implications for Stewart and the Challenges Ahead at Daytona
While Busch’s tone carries some humor, his message is clear: Daytona’s harsh and unforgiving conditions spare no driver, including experienced veterans like Stewart. The heightened level of aggression and risk in the Truck Series, combined with the track’s reputation, suggests Stewart faces a daunting challenge in his return. How Stewart adapts to this environment could impact his performance in the opening race and possibly the remainder of the season.
