Tony Stewart is set to return to NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway next week and he has expanded on why his decision to race again surprised even his wife, Leah Pruett. The three-time Cup Series champion has planned a one off Truck Series race with RAM.
Stewart stepped away from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2016 Cup Series season. He closed his driving career with 49 Cup wins and three championships in 2002, 2005 and 2011. Health issues played a role in his exit, and he shifted his focus to team ownership in NASCAR until 2025, when he closed down Stewart-Haas Racing and moved to full-time drag racing in NHRA Top Fuel competition.
Stewart shared the story of Pruett’s reaction during a recent interview with reporter Peter Stratta, and explained how the idea of returning began with a simple conversation. He said he spoke to Stellantis CEO Tim Kuniskis and got asked about running a truck race.
“I said, ‘Hey, I just talked to Tim and Tim asked me if I’d be interested in running a truck race.’ And her [Leah Pruett] eyes got really this big. She kind of knows the the history of my relationship with NASCAR. But, she goes, ‘What’d you tell him?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think I would be 2:36 interested.’ And she looked at me like I had three heads. So it took a little bit of convincing to convince her,” Tony Stewart said (02:20 onwards).
Stewart will compete in Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram truck. Meanwhile, Daytona’s Truck Series opener features a star studded field. Cleetus McFarland will attempt his Truck debut with Niece Motorsports, if he passes at the Rockingham test. And veteran Cup driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will also make his Truck debut for Niece.
Travis Pastrana will also drive Niece’s No. 42 truck. John Hunter Nemechek, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar will also compete on Friday. And former Cup driver Corey LaJoie will enter with Henderson Motorsports.
Tony Stewart Comments on RAM’s Commitment to Return and its ‘Unique Opportunity’ For Drivers Like Him
RAM is returning to NASCAR’s Truck Series after a long absence from the sport. The Stellantis brand teamed up with Kaulig Racing to bring five RAM trucks in competition this season. Their ‘Free Agent Driver Program’ will let experienced racers, like Tony Stewart, and new talent share a No. 25 truck with four full-time drivers during the year.
Stewart, who also has a long partnership with Dodge in NHRA drag racing, commented on RAM’s return during the same interview.
“For Ram to make the commitment to come back in the Truck series. … The season starts at Daytona. So, hopefully it just brings some more attention to it. I think the program that you’ve created to have guys like myself give us an opportunity to to come in and do a race or two if we want. That’s a unique opportunity that just isn’t it’s not out there for everybody,” Tony Stewart said (3:20 onwards).
Dodge and Tony Stewart Racing team extended a multi-year deal to run Dodge//SRT Direct Connection cars in NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car classes in 2025. This partnership has led to multiple wins and championships for the TSR team.
Read More:
Corey Heim excited as 23XI drops 12 race Cup Series Schedule for NASCAR champion
Cleetus McFarland makes major NASCAR move with Truck Series test
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
