Tony Stewart, former NASCAR champion, announced on Wednesday during a press event with the RAM CEO that he plans to compete in the NASCAR Truck Series with Kaulig Racing and RAM at the upcoming Daytona International Speedway race. This marks Stewart’s return to stock car racing, with a drive planned for the #25 truck at the Fresh From Florida 250 in February 2026, alongside a special program involving other drivers throughout the season.
The 54-year-old racer was initially expected to make a one-time appearance, but new developments have introduced uncertainty about his future participation. According to the RAM CEO, the truck Stewart will drive cannot contend for the overall Truck Series championship, prompting the creation of an internal points competition within the team. Stewart himself expressed mixed feelings about this in an interview, leaving open the possibility of additional appearances beyond the Daytona race.
RAM and Kaulig Racing will enter five trucks in the 2026 season. Besides Stewart, three full-time drivers have been announced: Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, and Justin Haley. The fifth truck slot will be decided through a competition of 15 contenders on the reality show Race for the Seat, produced by RAM and Kaulig Racing. Stewart is set to drive what is being called the “free agent” truck during the team’s debut at Daytona.
Tony Stewart Reflects on Comparing Daytona 500 with the Chili Bowl Nationals
In a recent interview conducted by FloRacing ahead of the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, Tony Stewart discussed the similarities and differences between this prestigious short-track midget race and the Daytona 500, two of the most notable events in his racing career. Stewart contrasted the scale of the two races, noting that the Chili Bowl features over 300 competitors vying for the Golden Driller trophy, while the Daytona 500 includes just over 40 cars aiming for victory in NASCAR’s crown jewel event.
Stewart highlighted the significance of heat races in the Chili Bowl and explained that unlike the Daytona 500, where drivers can recover from setbacks such as bad pit stops or penalties, mistakes at the Chili Bowl are far more punitive due to the sheer number of highly skilled competitors.
“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 Two-Time Chili Bowl Winner
Stewart is a two-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, winning titles in 2002 and 2007, and he was honored as the Grand Marshal for the 40th edition of the event this year. His perspective on both races offers insight into the intense level of competition and the contrasting challenges drivers face in these iconic motorsports events.
Potential Impact of Stewart’s Return to the Truck Series
Tony Stewart’s return to competitive racing after years away is generating significant attention within the NASCAR community. His involvement with Kaulig Racing and RAM underscores a strategic move to blend veteran experience with fresh talent in the Truck Series. By reserving a truck for Stewart and creating an internal points battle, the team is adding a new layer of excitement and competition to the series.
Stewart’s openness to extending his Truck Series involvement beyond the initial Daytona event could influence the dynamics of the season, attracting more fans and media focus. Additionally, the integration of the reality show competition to select a driver for the fifth truck demonstrates an innovative approach to talent development in NASCAR.
As the 2026 season approaches, anticipation builds around Stewart’s performance and how this veteran driver’s participation may reshape the Truck Series landscape. The combination of experienced racers like Stewart and emerging drivers vying for spots hints at a dynamic and unpredictable season ahead at events like Daytona and beyond.
