Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his emotional reaction to Tony Stewart’s decision to return to the NASCAR Truck Series, discussing the news during a recent Dale Jr. Download podcast episode. The discussion focused on Stewart’s comeback announcement for the 2026 season, highlighting Stewart’s choice to compete at Daytona International Speedway, a prominent part of Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR reaction coverage.
Tony Stewart’s Truck Series Comeback Sparks Discussion
On January 13, 2026, Tony Stewart revealed that he would drive for RAM as they make their debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in collaboration with Kaulig Racing. The team is set to field five trucks throughout the season, including a special #25 entry featuring rotating free agent drivers. Stewart, nicknamed “Smoke,” will personally take the wheel for the series’ opening race at Daytona, a move that quickly drew attention from the racing world, including from Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the magnitude of Stewart’s challenge, noting that Stewart has not raced in a NASCAR stock car since 2016 and last competed in the Truck Series in 2005. Stewart’s return at such a high-profile and challenging venue immediately raised eyebrows across the industry.
“He picked the doozy. Damn goodness. The dude don’t get **** because now I wouldn’t have picked Daytona. I want to pick somewhere else. It must be writing him a nice check. I’ll say that.”
“But listen, this is what Dodge wants to do.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Former NASCAR Driver and Analyst
RAM and Dodge, eager for a notable launch, are leveraging Stewart’s presence and public profile to create buzz around their series return. The manufacturer aims not just for competitive results but for a dramatic, attention-grabbing entry into the Truck Series.
“They want to create noise. They want to create a splash. They want to this doesn’t work for Dodge by just building trucks, cars going out, and winning races. They need the story. They need to be the big deal on social media. They need everybody talking about this. This is a start. That is the way that they’ll get their board and everybody at Dodge to help support financially,”
he concluded. — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Former NASCAR Driver and Analyst
Throughout his five-year career in the Truck Series, Stewart participated in six races, earning victories at Richmond Raceway and a runner-up finish at Dover Motor Speedway. These accomplishments contributed to his reputation as one of the sport’s elite drivers.
Comparing Racing Challenges: Daytona Versus the Chili Bowl Nationals
As Stewart gears up for both NASCAR’s historic Daytona event and the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, he offered candid insights about the unique demands of each race in a FloRacing interview. Stewart explained that while the Daytona 500 features a field of over 40 cars and allows for recovery from mistakes over 200 laps, the Chili Bowl Nationals’ short-track midget format hosts over 300 competitors, where a single misstep can decide a driver’s fate.
“There’s so many good drivers and teams out there that you really can’t afford to make a mistake in the Daytona 500; you can have a bad pit stop. You can get a pit road speeding penalty, and you can recover from it. It is very hard to recover from when the state gets chilly. It is a 380-person bar room brawl, and at the end of it, somebody is going to take home a golden driller.”
— Tony Stewart, Champion Racer and Team Owner
Stewart’s racing pedigree is further underscored by his two titles at the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2002 and 2007. For the 40th edition of this event, he takes on the role of Grand Marshal, while drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell will contend fiercely for the title.
What Stewart’s Return Means for NASCAR
Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR, especially on such a prominent stage at Daytona, is expected to energize the series with renewed fan interest and media attention. With industry veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr. providing emotionally charged reactions, and with RAM and Dodge aiming for both marketing impact and racing success, the 2026 season promises heightened drama and competition. The move is not just about Stewart’s comeback, but about the stories and milestones that keep fans engaged and the sport evolving.
