Tony Stewart, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is making a surprising comeback to racing by entering a Truck Series event at Daytona International Speedway next week. This decision to return to racing has even caught his wife, Leah Pruett, off guard. Stewart plans to race a Ram truck fielded by Kaulig Racing in a one-off appearance, marking a significant moment for the former full-time NASCAR driver.
Reasons Behind Tony Stewart’s Unexpected NASCAR Comeback
After retiring from full-time NASCAR competition following the 2016 season, Tony Stewart shifted his focus away from driving to team ownership and later drag racing. He ended his NASCAR Cup career with 49 wins and three championships earned in 2002, 2005, and 2011. Health challenges played a major role in his decision to step away from full-time racing. Stewart continued as co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing until the team’s closure in 2025, at which point he moved full-time into NHRA Top Fuel drag racing.
Stewart recently shared how his decision to race again developed during an interview with reporter Peter Stratta. The initial idea arose in a conversation with Stellantis CEO Tim Kuniskis, who invited Stewart to enter a Truck Series race. Stewart’s wife, Leah Pruett, who is herself an accomplished NHRA racer, reacted with surprise when he told her about the opportunity.
“I said, ‘Hey, I just talked to Tim and Tim asked me if I’d be interested in running a truck race.’ And her [Leah Pruett] eyes got really this big. She kind of knows the the history of my relationship with NASCAR. But, she goes, ‘What’d you tell him?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think I would be 2:36 interested.’ And she looked at me like I had three heads. So it took a little bit of convincing to convince her,” Tony Stewart said (02:20 onwards).
Stewart will drive the No. 25 Ram truck for Kaulig Racing at Daytona’s Truck Series opener. The event features a competitive roster, including debut appearances by Cleetus McFarland with Niece Motorsports—pending his qualification at the Rockingham test—and veteran Cup driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also making his Truck debut for Niece Motorsports.
Other drivers entered for the race include Travis Pastrana in the No. 42 truck for Niece, as well as John Hunter Nemechek, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar, competing Friday at Daytona. Former Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie is also scheduled to race, representing Henderson Motorsports.
RAM’s Return to NASCAR and the Advantages of Their New Driver Strategy
RAM is making a notable comeback to the NASCAR Truck Series after a prolonged absence, partnering with Kaulig Racing to field five trucks this season. The Stellantis brand has launched a “Free Agent Driver Program” that allows seasoned racers like Tony Stewart, along with emerging talents, to share duties in the No. 25 truck alongside four full-time drivers over the course of the year.
Stewart, who maintains a strong connection with Dodge through his NHRA drag racing efforts, underscored the uniqueness of RAM’s renewed commitment and their innovative driver model.
“For Ram to make the commitment to come back in the Truck series. … The season starts at Daytona. So, hopefully it just brings some more attention to it. I think the program that you’ve created to have guys like myself give us an opportunity to to come in and do a race or two if we want. That’s a unique opportunity that just isn’t it’s not out there for everybody,” Tony Stewart said (3:20 onwards).
Additionally, Tony Stewart Racing recently extended a multi-year partnership with Dodge//SRT Direct Connection to campaign Dodge vehicles in NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions starting in 2025. This collaboration has fueled multiple victories and championships for the team in drag racing.
What the Daytona Truck Race Return Means for Stewart and NASCAR
Tony Stewart’s decision to return to NASCAR racing at Daytona International Speedway carries significant weight, blending his past racing legacy with his current motorsport pursuits. This one-off Truck Series entry not only reignites interest in Stewart’s driving career but also draws attention to RAM’s revitalized presence in the sport. For fans and industry insiders, it signals a renewed intersection between NASCAR veterans and upcoming talent through innovative programs like Kaulig Racing’s shared truck initiative.
Stewart’s surprise return could inspire other retired or part-time competitors to revisit NASCAR races, blurring lines between different motorsport disciplines such as NHRA drag racing and NASCAR stock car racing. How Stewart performs at Daytona will likely influence the level of interest and opportunities available to experienced drivers contemplating similar returns.
With a star-studded field scheduled for Daytona’s Truck Series opener, including NASCAR regulars and debut entrants, this event promises excitement and an opportunity for fresh narratives in the series. As Stewart gets back behind the wheel, NASCAR enthusiasts should watch closely to see how his comeback shapes the evolving landscape of the sport.
