NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart is making a highly anticipated return to the track, nearly a decade after stepping away from competition. Scheduled to race on February 13, 2026, at the Daytona Truck Series opener, Stewart will pilot Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 RAM truck, reigniting his presence in NASCAR. This comeback marks a significant event for the sport, blending Stewart’s legendary status with Kaulig Racing’s fresh ambitions in the Truck Series.
Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, revealing insights on how this opportunity was carefully crafted.
The Collaboration Between Tony Stewart and Kaulig Racing
On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Chris Rice shared how the relationship with Stewart came to fruition. He noted that Stewart’s long-standing connection with Dodge brands through his NHRA drag-racing career made him an ideal fit for Kaulig Racing’s new truck.
“And Matt Kaulig and Tim and I, we’re a lot alike, right? Like it’s like, hey, we can do anything as long as we put our mind to it. And so we did. And his mind was in this fifth truck was go get somebody like Tony Stewart to set it off and do things like that.”
Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
The No. 25 truck is designed as an All-Star project, with a rotating lineup of elite drivers for the season, and selecting Stewart was an obvious choice given his reputation and experience. At 54 years old, Stewart brings decades of expertise to Kaulig’s new effort, which also highlights RAM’s return to NASCAR announced in June 2025.
The partnership carries both competitive promise and strong fan appeal, capitalizing on Stewart’s NASCAR and NHRA legacy, and deepening the alliance between Ram and Kaulig.
Rice emphasized the significance of this move for the team and RAM.
“That’s a big deal for Kaulig Racing. That’s a big deal for Ram. So it, you know, I’m pumped to spend some time with Tony and talk to him about, you know, him running his own program and the good and bad,”
Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
For Stewart, this Daytona race will be his first Truck Series start since 2005, providing a perfect platform to reconnect with NASCAR’s high-speed, unpredictable racing.
Stewart’s Track Record at Daytona Strengthens Expectations
With a decorated career including four Cup Series victories and seven wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Daytona, Stewart is well-versed in managing the pace and chaos of this storied track. Fans eagerly anticipate the excitement his return will bring, expecting a dramatic and thrilling performance as he faces the fast, frenetic environment of the Daytona Truck Series opener.
Kyle Busch Offers a Stark Reality Check on Today’s NASCAR
Despite Stewart’s extensive experience and ongoing involvement in motorsports, some voices within the NASCAR community caution that the sport has evolved significantly since Stewart’s last full-time competition. Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and veteran driver himself, delivered a candid warning about the challenges Stewart will face returning to today’s NASCAR.
“I hope he doesn’t plan on finishing,”
Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
Busch pointed out that the current Truck Series is faster, more aggressive, and less forgiving than in previous years. His verdict comes from firsthand experience as a recent winner of the season opener and Atlanta races, noting the intensifying competition and complexity of race dynamics.
Stewart’s hiatus from NASCAR’s top series ended in 2016, but his time competing in NHRA and managing race teams has kept his skills sharp. Nevertheless, the new generation of drivers and the aerodynamic challenges of modern trucks especially in “dirty air” situations mean that overtaking is riskier and the races are fiercer.
Daytona Will Test Stewart Against Fierce New Competition
Stewart’s upcoming Daytona appearance is more than a return to racing; it will be a test of adaptability against a highly competitive field of younger, aggressive drivers. With the trucks’ aerodynamic sensitivities and the track’s notorious unpredictability, this race will challenge every ounce of Stewart’s experience, resilience, and racing instincts.
His performance will have implications not only for his own legacy but for Kaulig Racing and RAM, both aiming to establish a strong presence in the Truck Series through star power and strategic driver selections. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Stewart can blend his traditional skillset with the demands of today’s NASCAR environment.
