Tony Stewart will drive one of Ram’s five trucks in the season opener at Daytona. Kaulig Racing will field the No. 25 Ram 1500 for the three-time NASCAR Cup champion in the Craftsman Truck Series race on February 13.
Stewart has driven many kinds of cars at Daytona across a wide career. He started in open wheel and USAC cars, then moved into IndyCar and stock cars. The NHRA Top Fuel driver also raced in endurance events at Daytona, including multiple Rolex 24 entries in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Ram announced Stewart as the first name in its Free Agent program for the Stellantis brand’s NASCAR return in 2026. Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 truck will be rotated among veteran and new drivers this year.
“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. Ram’s Free Agent program is another great way for me to stay sharp and have a little fun,” Tony Stewart said in a press release.
Stewart will return to a Truck after about two decades. His last of six career Truck races came in 2005 for Kevin Harvick Inc. Stewart has two wins in the series, both came at Richmond in 2002 and 2003.
Kaulig Racing owner Matt Kaulig commented on Stewart’s decision to join their new effort to start their new Ram program, saying:
“Having Tony Stewart in one of our Ram trucks is the kind of thing you dream about.”
Meanwhile, Ram and Kaulig Racing are launching a reality TV show to decide one of their 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers. The eight-episode series, called Race For The Seat, is set to premiere on January 25, 2026. It pits 15 drivers who will race at tracks such as Virginia International Raceway and South Boston Speedway and face elimination challenges. The winner will earn the final full-time ride in Kaulig Racing’s five-truck lineup with Brenden Queen, Justin Haley, and Daniel Dye.
Tony Stewart to Start Third NHRA Season With New Team in 2026
Tony Stewart will continue NHRA drag racing this season with Elite Motorsports. His wife and 12-time Top Fuel winner, Leah Pruett, will take over Stewart’s spot and return to NHRA Top Fuel competition with TSR in 2026. The 54-year-old’s Tony Stewart Racing also extended its partnership with Dodge//SRT Direct Connection on its Ram-backed Top Fuel effort last season.
After retiring from full-time Cup competition in 2016 and the closure of Stewart–Haas Racing at the end of 2024, Stewart moved into drag racing. In 2025, he won multiple races and ended the NHRA season fifth in the final Top Fuel points standings.
NHRA will celebrate its 75th anniversary this season as the season opens in March at Gainesville Raceway.
Also Read:
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Tony Stewart Racing reveals Leah Pruett’s 2026 schedule ahead of her NHRA comeback
NASCAR legend Tony Stewart drops a 5-word message after big Chili Bowl announcement
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