Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has hinted at an open-ended return to stock car racing, revealing possible future plans during a press conference with RAM’s CEO this Wednesday. His statements introduce fresh uncertainty about whether his upcoming appearance at the Daytona International Speedway will be a one-off or the start of an extended comeback, making the Tony Stewart NASCAR comeback a key storyline heading into the season.
Stewart’s Daytona Truck Series Entry Sparks Speculation
At 54, Tony Stewart is set to pilot the No. 25 Kaulig Racing/RAM truck in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona in February 2026. While initially intended as a single race entry, Stewart’s future behind the wheel became less certain after the RAM CEO, Tim Kuniskis, shared new details about an internal points competition for the truck—since it cannot contend for the regular season championship. This twist caused Stewart to consider more appearances, adding intrigue to the event.
Stewart, speaking openly about these developments, admitted to being uncertain about the duration of his return:
“Tim neglected to tell me ’til today that there’s a trophy. And Tim likes I don’t know how many of you guys know Tim Kuniskis, but he likes to dangle carrots. So I would love to sit here and go, ‘Man, this is just one and done.’”
—Tony Stewart, Champion NASCAR Driver
“I would say my answer is, I don’t have an answer. I would say, before we spoke today, and before he mentioned that there was a trophy and an award for this particular truck and who gets the most points in it, I would have said this was one and done. But let’s just say, I’ll leave it open-ended at this point,” he concluded.
—Tony Stewart, Champion NASCAR Driver
Notably, RAM joins the Truck Series as a manufacturer for the first time this season, teaming with Kaulig Racing to field five entries. Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, and Justin Haley have been confirmed as drivers, while the fourth spot will be decided among 15 competitors on the reality series Race for the Seat, co-produced by RAM and Kaulig Racing. Stewart, driving as a free agent, will lead the team’s efforts in the highly anticipated Daytona event.
Stewart Compares Daytona 500 and Chili Bowl Nationals Challenges
As he returns to NASCAR, Stewart’s competitive edge remains sharp, as evidenced by his recent comparison of the Daytona 500 and the Chili Bowl Nationals during an interview with FloRacing ahead of the 2026 edition of the popular midget race. Stewart, who has won the Chili Bowl Nationals twice and is serving as Grand Marshal for its 40th edition, highlighted the distinct intensity and stakes of both premier motorsport events.
He described the challenges faced by drivers at the Daytona 500, emphasizing the possibility of overcoming setbacks, while contrasting it with the far less forgiving nature of the Chili Bowl:
“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 NASCAR Driver & Grand Marshal
Having conquered both disciplines, Stewart points to the differences in scale and recovery opportunities, reminding fans and fellow drivers that success at either event demands near perfection amid high stakes.
Significance of Stewart’s Potential NASCAR Return
Stewart’s willingness to keep the door open for more Truck Series appearances could add a significant draw for fans and teams alike, especially as RAM and Kaulig Racing debut in the series. His track record as a champion and recent roles—like Grand Marshal of the Chili Bowl Nationals—underscore his influence across multiple racing divisions. With further details and competition results yet to unfold, the motorsports community awaits Stewart’s next moves, watching closely to see if the Tony Stewart NASCAR comeback becomes a season-long narrative or a memorable one-off moment at Daytona.
