Stewart to make NASCAR Truck Series return at Daytona with Kaulig

Tony Stewart will return to the NASCAR driver’s seat next month at Daytona International Speedway with Kaulig Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Stewart will be the first driver to take the wheel of Kaulig’s free agent Ram entry in the season-opening event on February 13. It will be Stewart’s first start in the Truck Series since 2005 and his first in NASCAR since 2016, when he retired. He was last involved in NASCAR in 2024, the final year of Stewart-Haas Racing.

The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has a connection to Dodge through a partnership with his NHRA organization.

“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 has 19 victories at Daytona, with 11 coming between the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He was also victorious at the speedway in the IROC Series.

“Having Tony Stewart in one of our Ram trucks is the kind of thing you dream about,” said team owner Matt Kaulig. “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. This is going to be a ride worth watching.”

Kaulig Racing will be the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR. It is the first time the organization has fielded Truck Series entries. The free agent program will name a driver to the seat on the Monday before each race weekend. It is open to any driver in motorsports.

“We’re not just returning to the track; we’re rewriting the playbook,” RAM CEO Tim 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. This is about honoring a legacy. Tony represents grit, determination, and the spirit of racing – pure adrenaline for the fans.”