Tony Stewart is set to make a notable return to NASCAR at the Daytona season opener, driving Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram truck in the Craftsman Truck Series. This comeback is part of Ram’s re-entry into the series and aims to reignite fan enthusiasm during one of NASCAR’s most significant race weekends.
Kaulig Racing’s Truck Series efforts this year feature a full lineup of five trucks, with Stewart piloting the rotating “Free Agent” No. 25 vehicle. The roster also includes full-time drivers Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, Justin Haley, and Timothy Tyrrell, the latter earning his spot by winning the Race for the Seat competition.
Stewart Believes His Return Can Help NASCAR Recover Momentum
By stepping back into the NASCAR spotlight, Stewart expressed hope that his presence would contribute positively to the sport’s current challenges and help reenergize fans at Daytona. Addressing the situation, he said,
“I think it’s going to contribute a lot to NASCAR, and I think, as we all know right now, NASCAR needs all the help they can get right right this minute. And it’ll get back sorted out. It’s going to get healthy again. It’ll be fine. But, this is a good way to kind of help with that and kind of get the fans excited about Daytona again, and it’s a small part of it,” he told Peter Stratta. (4:14 onwards)
In recent seasons, NASCAR has faced declining viewership and notable internal conflicts, including a lengthy antitrust lawsuit that exposed troubling communications among executives regarding fans and teams. Stewart, a Hall of Famer who retired in 2015, had distanced himself from the sport after Stewart-Haas Racing ceased operations earlier in 2024.
Not Aiming to Change NASCAR, But to Bring Energy to Daytona Speedweeks
Stewart emphasized that his appearance at Daytona is not an attempt to reshape NASCAR but rather to inject excitement into the Truck Series kickoff during Speedweeks. Reflecting on his preparations with Kaulig Racing, he remarked,
“I’m not going down there and reinventing the wheel for anybody, and the NASCAR fans. But, to know that starting the big weekend of the 500 with the truck race there, I think that’s going to bring a lot of excitement to it. And, I know, being down at Kaulig a couple months ago and doing my initial seat fit, that it was pretty exciting. Those guys were working their tails off getting they have had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, and those guys are knocking it out of the park,” he continued.
The five-truck Kaulig Racing lineup combines dedicated full-time drivers alongside the rotating seat Stewart will occupy and the Race for the Seat champion Tyrrell, who drives the No. 14 Ram 1500. This campaign is designed to spotlight Ram’s renewed investment in NASCAR’s Truck Series.
How Stewart Secured the Kaulig Racing Truck Opportunity at Daytona
Stewart revealed how the chance to race at Daytona emerged amid his ongoing commitment to his NHRA career. Having last competed in the Truck Series in 2005 with two wins over six starts, he never ran full-time in this NASCAR branch.
“We were at Roadkill Nights last year and we were walking around and and you and I had the opportunity to sit down for a while and and you looked at me and said, ‘Hey, would would you ever be interested in going and running a truck race next year?’ And that’s literally how it started, honestly,” Stewart added in the interview. (0:27 onwards)
Though cautious due to his complex recent history with NASCAR, Stewart found the prospect appealing, especially with the Ram brand’s involvement. After discussing it with his wife, Leah Pruett, Stewart became convinced this one-off entry was a fitting way to return.
“I told her when we went back to the hotel that night, I said, “Yeah, I think it would be really cool to come do a one-off race and, get my feet wet again.””
Balancing NHRA Commitments While Reviving NASCAR Ties
Stewart’s return to Daytona coincides with his active career in the NHRA, where he races a Top Fuel vehicle backed by Elite Motorsports. Meanwhile, Leah Pruett also prepares to compete again for Tony Stewart Racing in the upcoming NHRA season starting in March.
This return to NASCAR’s Truck Series at Daytona marks a significant step not only for Stewart personally but also for the sport’s effort to regain momentum. With Ram’s full five-truck program and increased fan engagement expected during Speedweeks, this move could revitalize interest ahead of NASCAR’s marquee events.
