On Friday night, Tony Stewart made a highly anticipated return to NASCAR stock car racing by driving at Daytona International Speedway for the first time in years. This marked his first outing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in almost two decades and his first NASCAR race since 2018, drawing significant attention from longtime fans eager to see “Smoke” compete once more.
Challenges Mark Stewart’s Return with Kaulig Racing
Stewart joined Kaulig Racing in the No. 25 Ram truck, aligning with the manufacturer’s renewed NASCAR efforts, which had not been this prominent since 2012. The evening began with difficulties as Stewart struggled to find grip and handled the truck poorly in the early laps. He remained near the rear of the lead pack during the first two stages while the team sought adjustments to improve performance.
Stewart confessed over the radio that he nearly lost control early on, but after a wedge adjustment was made, his comfort behind the wheel increased. By the second stage, he began racing more assertively and closing in on the competitors.
Reflecting on his progress, Stewart stated,
“It was starting to get fun, where we can at least get up there and mix it up a little bit, and get in the middle of that stuff. Not sure what happened underneath us, coming across our nose, but that’s just part of it.”
?Tony Stewart, Driver
Unavoidable Crash Cuts Stewart’s Night Short
Despite gaining rhythm, Stewart’s run was abruptly halted on Lap 36. While racing three-wide near the track’s outside, Jake Garcia lost control exiting Turn 4, causing a severe collision. Stewart’s truck was forced against the outside wall, sustaining extensive damage on both sides, which left the team with no option but to retire the vehicle from the race.
Finding the Silver Lining in a Brief Comeback
After being examined and cleared at the infield care center, Stewart spoke with the media about his return, expressing enthusiasm for competing again at Daytona and observing the current generation of drivers in the series.
He said,
“It was fun to come back here. It was fun to watch the style these kids run. I mean, you could tell the guys that their trucks felt good right out of the gate, and they were aggressive. And it’s like, man, I wish I had the confidence to do that.”
?Tony Stewart, Driver
Stewart appreciated the opportunity to race wheel-to-wheel against younger competitors, a sharp contrast to his current NHRA drag racing weekends where he mostly runs alone down straight tracks.
Gratitude for Kaulig Racing’s Preparation and Effort
Stewart also praised the quick development work by Kaulig Racing in preparing the No. 25 truck for the event. He recalled the early days of the project, highlighting their rapid progress.
He remarked,
“I thought the effort that Kaulig Racing made coming down here was unbelievable. I mean, I remember when we did the first seat fit, they didn’t even have body panels to put on the truck, and they were 3D printing body panels…. So to see where they went in such a short amount of time and get five competitive trucks down here.”
?Tony Stewart, Driver
Looking Ahead: Atlanta Race and Stewart’s Focus on NHRA
Next weekend in Atlanta, Ty Dillon will take over driving duties in the No. 25 truck as part of a planned rotation. Meanwhile, Stewart will return to concentrate on his NHRA drag racing commitments, where he continues to compete at a high level.
Though his outing at Daytona ended prematurely due to the crash, Stewart’s return energized many fans who doubted it would happen. The experience reaffirmed his respect for the sport and demonstrated his enduring competitive spirit.
