The Tony Stewart NASCAR Daytona race ended prematurely for the legendary driver after a crash took him out on lap 36 at Daytona International Speedway. Both Stewart and internet personality Cleetus McFarland, racing as special entrants, suffered early exits, disappointing fans anticipating a memorable night in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Spotlight on Non-Regular Drivers Adds Anticipation
Excitement surrounded the event as Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup champion and Hall of Fame inductee, returned to action piloting the No. 25 Dodge Ram for Kaulig Racing. Alongside him, Garrett Mitchell—best known as Cleetus McFarland—also joined the race field, drawing attention from motorsport enthusiasts and YouTube fans alike. The spotlight shone brightly on these guest drivers, eager to contend with the series’ regular competitors on the famed Daytona oval.
Cleetus McFarland’s Early Mishap Brings Drama
The race’s drama escalated less than ten minutes after the green flag. By lap six, the first caution was triggered when Cleetus McFarland, wheeling the No. 4 Chevrolet, lost grip while exiting Turn 4, veered toward the inside wall, and tore through the infield turf before his vehicle came to a stop. Emerging from his battered truck unaided, McFarland was transported to the Infield Care Center for mandatory evaluation and was cleared shortly after, but his night ended with a last-place, 37th-place finish.
“We immediately went three wide, which I wasn’t expecting,”
Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland) said outside the Care Center.
He reflected further on his misjudgment and efforts to avoid a pile-up as he explained,
“When I was coming out of Turn 4, I was flying. I just put too much wheel into because I as running a little tight. I was just trying to not wreck the guy outside of me. I started to go loose to the outside and thought ‘damn, I am not going to wreck 30 other races cars.’”
“I turned to the left, like an idiot, and that’s something Biff (Greg Biffle) did not teach me. I put myself on a trajectory right to the inside wall and now I stand in the worst spot to be interviewed at Daytona International Speedway.”
— Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland)
Crash on Lap 36 Forces Tony Stewart’s Sudden Exit
Tony Stewart’s return was short-lived. As competitors sprinted down the backstretch around lap 36, chaos unfolded when Jake Garcia’s truck swung to the right, colliding across the nose of Stewart’s No. 25 Dodge Ram. The unavoidable contact sent Stewart’s vehicle into the outside wall, inflicting serious damage along the right side. Stewart managed to nurse his truck onto pit road, but after evaluation, Kaulig Racing’s crew determined the damage was irreparable, ending Stewart’s night with a 36th-place finish.
“It was just getting fun out there,”
Tony Stewart remarked after leaving his truck in the garage area. He spoke about the truck’s handling and strategy changes,
“We just didn’t know what we were going to have balance wise if we went back out there. We were a little free in the beginning.”
Stewart detailed the adjustments made during the race,
“I tried sneaking up on it and the first adjustment didn’t really move the needle. Then they tried track bar and wedge adjustment, and it actually started to respond. We probably needed to make that adjustment one more time.”
“We got in a spot where we were three wide and I could start to hustle again. I’m not sure what happened underneath the truck.”
— Tony Stewart
Future Uncertain for Stewart’s Truck Series Ambitions
Questions about whether Stewart—often called “Smoke,” a nickname that has followed him since his early racing days—would consider returning to the truck series remain unanswered. Crew chief Alex Yontz queried Stewart post-race about the likelihood of another attempt in the series. Stewart humorously acknowledged the unpredictability of his racing plans with the comment,
“Well, I don’t know, I didn’t think I was going to be back here again 10 years ago when I retired,”
followed by,
“I guess I just have to learn to never say never.”
— Tony Stewart
The Tony Stewart NASCAR Daytona race, with both Stewart and Garrett Mitchell ousted early, captured the unpredictability and sheer challenge of stock car racing at Daytona International Speedway. Their departures not only shifted the dynamic of the Craftsman Truck Series event but also reignited conversations about the risks and lure of high-profile returns and celebrity entrants to NASCAR competition. With Stewart’s future in the truck series left uncertain, fans and peers alike will be watching closely for any news of his potential return to NASCAR action.
