CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tony Stewart returns to NASCAR racing for the first time since 2016, when he drove a Ram Truck for Kaulig Racing, making his debut in next month’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Fame inductee, last raced in Trucks at the 2005 NASCAR Nationwide Series. He drove for Dodge in the NHRA Drag Racing Series and drove for Kaulig as it brought Ram trucks back to NASCAR, a perfect return for the brand.
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“I’ve been in almost every four-wheel race at Daytona, but never in a truck race,” Stewart said Tuesday. “So when the new Ram offered seats for their first race back in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate.”
Stewart will be part of Rahm’s “free agency program,” which aims to put established riders and rising stars in the spotlight. Ram will field five trucks for the 2026 season, including full-time spots for Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye and Justin Haley, as well as free-agent spots and an add-on program called “Race For The Seat,” in which a reality show-style competition determines a fourth full-time driver.
“We’re not just returning to the track, we’re rewriting the script. Having Tony join as the first free agent will create insane excitement, which is exactly why we created this program – to allow fans to see their all-time favorite driver back in the seat, but this time, it’s a Ram truck,” said Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis U.S. brand leader. “This is about honoring a legacy. Tony represents grit, determination and racing spirit – a pure adrenaline rush for the fans.”
Stewart is the first and only driver to win all three USAC National Championships (Midget, Sprint, Silver Crown) in one year (1995). He also won the IndyCar championship in 1997 and the NASCAR championship in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
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He started six Truck Series races in his career and recorded two wins, the last in 2003.
“Having Tony Stewart in one of our Ram trucks is something you dream about,” team owner Matt Kaulig said. “He’s a legend – his name alone brings energy to the sport. We couldn’t be more excited to have him come to our camp as we roll into Daytona for our first race. It’s going to be a ride to watch.”
Kaulig Racing has two Cup cars and will be Ram’s main factory team when it returns to NASCAR in 2026. Founded in 2016, Kaulig Racing has competed in more than 700 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, earning two regular season titles and 27 wins.
The team began competing part-time in the Cup Series in 2021 before expanding to a two-car full-time team in 2022 and adding a third part-time team for the 2023 season. The team has two wins since the start of the inaugural Cup Series in 2021.
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