Tony Stewart’s highly anticipated NASCAR Truck Series return ended prematurely Friday night at Daytona Beach, as an early crash sidelined the champion’s comeback, while RAM made a successful return with Kaulig Racing’s rookie drivers stepping up on the big stage. The race, marked by intense action and unexpected outcomes, saw Brenden Queen outrun the odds by finishing seventh, capturing attention in the Tony Stewart NASCAR Truck Return spectacle.
RAM and Kaulig Racing Highlight Daytona Storylines
Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Daytona offered an array of storylines, not least the return of the RAM manufacturer through a revitalized Kaulig Racing team. The lineup boasted an impressive roster, with veterans like Tony Stewart pairing up with emerging talents Justin Haley, Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, and Mini Tyrell. The spotlight for Kaulig wasn’t only Stewart’s return, but also the transition of Queen and Tyrell into the Truck Series. Queen, with an ARCA Menards Series championship under his belt, and Tyrell, coming off victory in the RAM: Race for the Seat competition, faced steep learning curves amid the field of seasoned drivers.
Despite the daunting odds facing Queen and Tyrell, both not only crossed the finish line but also made their mark. Queen claimed a top-10 result in seventh, while Tyrell brought his RAM home in 19th, managing to finish the race with his truck nearly unscathed—a rarity given the intensity at Daytona.
Rookie Lessons and Tireless Determination
For rookies Queen and Tyrell, learning proved as crucial as racing. Queen credited his spotter and the team for steady improvement throughout the night, echoing the relief of applying lessons when it mattered most.
“We learned and applied it for later in the race, and that last restart is why we learned all night, because that was when it paid off. Obviously, you’ve got to be smart, you’ve got to get to the end, you’ve got to have luck, but you also can learn in the process of it.”
— Brenden Queen, Driver
Tyrell focused his approach on observation and caution, staying in the draft and incrementally gaining confidence with each lap.
“During the offseason, learning about the radial tires, again, getting the feel of that a bit and getting to understand how these things drive. … It felt good coming down, getting out and learning something every lap.”
— Mini Tyrell, Driver
Both rookies showed growth in their performances, with Queen’s top-10 finish drawing praise and marking a strong beginning for RAM’s latest NASCAR chapter.
“BUTTERBEAN TOP 10 IN RAM’S RETURN! 👀”
— Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks)
Tony Stewart’s Comeback Ends Abruptly
The lead narrative for Kaulig, and the wider NASCAR community, was Tony Stewart’s official return to the Truck Series, which unfortunately lasted just 39 laps out of a scheduled 100. While running in the pack, Stewart became collateral damage when Jake Garcia’s drift forced contact, leaving Stewart’s No. 25 truck too damaged to continue. Stewart, last seen in NASCAR’s top levels in 2016 and in the Truck Series in 2005, was left reflecting on the incident.
“The hard thing is, I’m not really sure what happened that got us there, but we just ended up on the wrong side of that stick,”
— Tony Stewart, Hall of Famer
Stewart had started to find comfort with truck adjustments but never got the final change he felt he needed before his early exit. His night concluded as a Did Not Finish (DNF), disappointing fans and the Kaulig Racing team who had hoped his experience would guide the team deeper into the race.
Kaulig Drivers Persevere Despite Setbacks
Justin Haley, a three-time series winner known for his superspeedway prowess, flashed potential by matching Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell for the most circuits led with 20 laps at the front. Despite this strong showing and competitive pace, Haley suffered a late drop from the draft and ultimately finished in 22nd. Daniel Dye managed an 18th place, ultimately placing just ahead of fellow rookie Tyrell.
As the night wore on, Queen attempted to make decisive moves in the latter stages, seeking to pull out of line and lead a charge—a risk that ultimately cost him track position as the lead group didn’t follow his push. He lost positions, but with perseverance, climbed back into the top-10 by race end. Queen acknowledged the challenge of gaining the trust of his peers amid such intense competition.
“It was frustrating, because I feel like I’ve got to earn my respect,”
— Brenden Queen, Driver
“In the ARCA Series, I feel like people would go with me. But it’ll come in time, and hopefully, tonight was a proving point that they can trust me and work with me.”
— Brenden Queen, Driver
Looking Ahead After a Night of Highs and Lows
The energy and unpredictability at Daytona highlighted the resilience and promise of Kaulig Racing’s drivers, from Queen’s determined seventh place and Tyrell’s composed 19th to Stewart’s brief but dramatic return to the series. Brenden Queen now heads to EchoPark Speedway with newfound confidence, seeking to build on this promising start. Despite the disappointment for Stewart and Haley, the team carries forward the positives, with RAM’s return and the rookie showings serving notice that Kaulig Racing remains a force to watch in the Tony Stewart NASCAR Truck Return season. As the series moves forward, all eyes will be on whether these drivers can continue to turn learning into results on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
BUTTERBEAN TOP 10 IN RAM’S RETURN! 👀
— Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks) February 14, 2026
