For the first time since 2016, Tony Stewart will drive in NASCAR’s National Series.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will be competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway (February 13), driving the No. 25 RAM 1500 for Kaulig Racing, an entry the team has dubbed its ‘Free Agent Truck’.
“I’ve raced just about everything with four wheels at Daytona, but never a truck. So when a seat in the new RAM was offered up for their first race back in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate,” said Stewart. “RAM’s Free Agent Program is another great way for me to stay sharp and have a little fun.”
Stewart, known to fans as ‘Smoke’, last competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2006, and last ran an event in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2016. Since his “retirement” from NASCAR, Stewart has jumped over to NHRA with Dodge.
“We’re not just returning to the track; we’re rewriting the playbook. 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 to get back into the seat, but this time, it’s a RAM truck,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of American Brands for SRT Performance, NA Marketing and Retail Strategy at Stellantis. “This is about honoring a legacy. Tony represents grit, determination, and the spirit of racing – pure adrenaline for fans.”
A native of Columbus, Indiana, Stewart is a 19-time race-winner across the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and IROC Series. The February 13 event at Daytona will mark the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start for Stewart at ‘The World Center of Racing’.
“Having Tony Stewart in one of our Ram trucks is the kind of thing you dream about,” said Matt Kaulig, Founder and Owner of Kaulig Racing. “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.”
Stewart is the first driver to be announced as part of Kaulig Racing’s ‘Free Agent Program’ for the No. 25 RAM 1500 in 2026. However, the 49-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will join Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, Justin Haley, and the winner of the “Race For The Seat” program as the team’s five-truck lineup for Daytona.
The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign will begin Friday, February 13 at 7:30 PM ET on FOX Sports 1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
