NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart is set to return to national-series competition after nearly a decade away. On Jan. 13, 2026, Kaulig Racing announced that Stewart, 54, will drive the No. 25 Ram Truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13.
Welcome to The Smoke Show. 🏎️💨@TonyStewart returns to @NASCAR with @KauligRacing and @RamTrucks! pic.twitter.com/vnxtcluWV6
— Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks) January 13, 2026
According to a release published on KauligRacing.com by the Kaulig Racing communications team, the start will mark Stewart’s first Truck Series race since 2005 and his first NASCAR national-series appearance since stepping away from full-time Cup Series racing in 2016.
The return also lines up with Ram Trucks officially rejoining NASCAR competition, making the Daytona opener a major moment for both the driver and the manufacturer.
Tony Stewart’s Daytona return
For Stewart, the Daytona start fills a gap in an otherwise complete résumé. While he has raced many forms of cars at the historic track, the Truck Series remained the one missing piece.
“I’ve raced just about everything with four wheels at Daytona, but never a truck, Stewart said. So when a seat in the new Ram was offered up for their first race back in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate. Ram’s Free Agent program is another great way for me to stay sharp and have a little fun.”
Stewart last competed in the Truck Series in 2005. He earned two career Truck Series wins, scoring victories in 2002 and 2003. Since leaving full-time Cup Series racing in 2016, Stewart shifted much of his focus to NHRA drag racing, where he has competed in Top Fuel. His Daytona appearance stands as a rare NASCAR start in recent years.
The race will open the Truck Series season at one of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks. Daytona’s high banks and drafting-heavy racing often produce tight packs and unpredictable finishes, placing extra emphasis on teamwork and timing.
Ram Trucks launches the Free Agent program
Ram’s return to NASCAR will center on its new Free Agent Driver Program. The initiative will rotate drivers through Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 truck during the 2026 season, with Stewart serving as the first participant. Daytona will act as the program’s official debut.
In the Kaulig Racing release, Tim Kuniskis, Head of American Brands, SRT Performance, NA Marketing and Retail Strategy at Stellantis, said Stewart was the right choice to launch the effort.
“We’re not just returning to the track; we’re rewriting the playbook, Kuniskis said. Bringing Tony in as the first Free Agent will generate a crazy amount of excitement, which is exactly why we created the program, allowing fans to watch an all-time favorite driver get back into the seat, but this time, it’s a Ram truck.”
Kuniskis said the program reflects Ram’s goal of honoring racing history while taking a new approach to fan engagement. Ram plans to field five trucks with Kaulig Racing during the 2026 season, signaling a long-term commitment to the Truck Series.
Kaulig Racing’s expanding Truck Series plans
Kaulig Racing will anchor Ram’s return as the manufacturer’s primary Truck Series partner. The organization plans to enter five Ram-backed trucks in 2026, immediately expanding its presence in the series garage.
Team owner Matt Kaulig said Stewart’s addition sets the tone for the season opener.
“Having Tony Stewart in one of our Ram trucks is the kind of thing you dream about, Kaulig said. He’s a legend; his name alone brings energy to the sport. We couldn’t be more fired up to have him in our camp as we roll into Daytona for our first race.”
Stewart enters the event as a three-time Cup Series champion with 49 career Cup wins. He is also the first driver to win USAC national championships in Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown divisions in a single season and captured an IndyCar title in 1997.
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