NASCAR rivals inspired, intrigued by the return of Stewart

Tony Stewart will make one of the most anticipated and intriguing returns to NASCAR competition next month, and some of his former peers are just as eager to see what happens.

“I’m excited,” said Chase Briscoe, who idolized Stewart growing up and drove for Stewart-Haas Racing. “I went hunting with Tony last week and he told me that he was going to do it and it was weird – he was asking me questions for like advice. It was me, Noah [Gragson], and Tony, and I was like, ‘Man, whatever you do, don’t do what I did. I wrecked the whole field on lap 1 of my first truck start at Daytona.’ So, I’m just excited to see what Tony does.”

Kaulig Racing and Ram announced Tuesday that Stewart will be in the free agent truck for the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway in the Craftsman Truck Series. It will be Stewart’s first ride in NASCAR since the 2016 season, and his first in the Truck Series since 2005.

Stewart is an NHRA owner with a Dodge Funny Car and Top Fuel team. He spent the last two years driving a Top Fuel dragster.

“It was so odd to me, talking to him last week, how many questions he was asking,” said Briscoe. “I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re a Hall of Famer. Why are you asking me these questions?’ But I’m excited to see what he can do and even that truck. It seems like they have a lot of really cool ideas for that thing. I told Tony he’s in for a rude awakening, but it should be a lot of fun to watch.”

Kaulig Racing will field five entries this season in the Truck Series as the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR. The free-agent truck, which Stewart will be driving, will often have a different driver, as the seat is open to talent from across the motorsports landscape. There will be an announcement leading into race weekend about who the driver will be for that event.

Kyle Busch chuckled when he was asked about Stewart’s upcoming entry. Busch is not only a former owner in the Truck Series but has routinely made starts in the series. However, Busch is also one of the most outspoken about the racing in the Truck Series, particularly the equipment that gets totaled on superspeedway races. And that is what came to mind about what Stewart is in for when he gets back behind the wheel.

“I need to get him one of my shirts that I wore there a few years ago,” Busch said. “Where [it said] this is the most expensive day of the year for the owners. So, I hope he doesn’t plan on finishing.”