NASCAR Truck Series faces Daytona opener tonight with Tony Stewart’s stunning return

Tony Stewart shocks the motorsports world tonight with a stunning Daytona return after a decade away from NASCAR. The legendary three-time Cup champion climbs into the No. 25 Ram truck for the Fresh From Florida 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. At age 54, Stewart is competing in his first NASCAR race since November 2016, teaming with Ram’s return to reignite Truck Series drama.

Smoke’s Shocking Return Ends a Nearly Decade-Long NASCAR Hiatus

Tony Stewart never thought he’d climb into a NASCAR vehicle again. The Indianapolis native retired in 2016 and shifted focus to team ownership and later NHRA drag racing. Then came an unexpected phone call from Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Stellantis, asking if Stewart would consider running a Truck Series race. What seemed like casual conversation became official. Stewart himself was floored by the decision. “I’m as surprised as all of you are,” he quipped during Thursday’s press conference, flashing his trademark Smoke snark. The result: a one-off appearance driving the No. 25 Ram truck for Kaulig Racing tonight at Daytona.

At 54 years old, Stewart is now a father to a 1-year-old son, a far cry from his younger, more aggressive racing days. Yet the speed and instinct remain. This isn’t a full-time comeback. Stewart firmly rejected any chance of racing the Daytona 500 or future Truck Series rounds. It’s purely about celebrating Ram’s triumphant return to NASCAR and creating a historic moment for motorsports.

How Daytona’s Most Iconic Superspeedway Tests a Rookie Returner

Daytona International Speedway is the perfect stage for Stewart’s comeback, a place where 185 mph pack racing dominates and experience matters. Unfortunately, Stewart’s recent experience is limited. Beyond one 50-minute practice session on Thursday, most of his preparation came through iRacing simulation. Over a month and a half, Stewart regularly logged onto the popular sim-racing platform with friends from across the country, from Pennsylvania to Seattle, Washington. “My iRacing group was all in on truck races at Daytona,” Stewart revealed, noting how the community rallied to help him train.

Still, real track conditions aren’t always predictable. Stewart acknowledged his potential for mistakes Friday night, a refreshing dose of humility from one of NASCAR’s most decorated champions. His spotter, TJ Bell, spent Wednesday night reviewing video footage from last year’s Daytona Truck race, cross-referencing what Stewart learned in iRacing. “There were aspects I picked up on iRacing that translated well into what we saw yesterday,” Stewart explained, giving confidence he can compete without looking completely out of place.

Daytona Preview and Tonight’s Field Comparison

The Fresh From Florida 250 brings together a stellar Truck Series lineup headline by emerging contenders. Ty Majeski and Layne Riggs headline DFS picks as favorites, while Corey Heim, last year’s Truck Series champion, competes in limited capacity after moving to Cup Series racing. The track is perfect for aggressive racers who understand superspeedway dynamics. Daytona has historically produced tight, fender-to-fender competition where pit strategy and fuel mileage play as much a role as raw speed.

“Stewart’s NASCAR comeback to Daytona is not one that will be long-lasting. He’s here to race, have fun, spark life into Ram’s return to the sport and let his NASCAR legacy speak for itself.”

— NASCAR.com, Coverage of Stewart’s Daytona Return

The Smoke Factor: Can Experience Trump Rust in Tonight’s Thriller?

Stewart’s record at Daytona is complicated. He finished 0-for-17 in Daytona 500 attempts throughout his legendary Cup career, a frustrating fact that haunted him. Yet his Truck Series experience from earlier years includes multiple victories and top finishes. The question tonight is whether nine years away from competition creates too much rust. Stewart isn’t overconfident. In fact, he emphasized during Thursday’s media session that he could be “somebody that makes a mistake out there.” Success won’t come from assuming old instincts return unchanged. It’ll come from patience, setup knowledge, and radio communication with spotter TJ Bell.

Stewart’s relationships in the paddock remain strong, too. He spent Wednesday cruising through the Cup garage reconnecting with former rivals like Alex Bowman and Justin Allgaier. Some asked point-blank, “Have you lost your mind?” Stewart laughed and admitted publicly that yes, maybe he has. But it’s that kind of humor and humility that made Smoke a beloved figure. Tonight, the notebook will focus on whether that same legend can translate to one final moment of glory.

Why Tonight’s Daytona Truck Race Matters More Than Usual for NASCAR’s Future?

Ram makes its official return to NASCAR competition tonight alongside Stewart’s shocking appearance. This isn’t routine sponsorship. Stellantis, Ram‘s parent company, committed to building a five-truck operation in partnership with Kaulig Racing. The connection between a legendary driver and a major automaker’s comeback creates narrative gold for Monday’s headlines. If Stewart contends or wins, the story becomes legendary. If he finishes mid-pack without incident, it’s still a victory lap for Ram‘s reentry. Can Tony Stewart, at age 54 with minimal recent racing miles, prove that greatness transcends time? The Fresh From Florida 250 tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1 will provide the answer.

Sources

• NASCAR.com – Official coverage of Tony Stewart’s Daytona Truck Series return and race preview
• Rotowire – Fresh From Florida 250 DFS picks and contender analysis
• Jayski.com – NASCAR Truck Series news and practice results from Daytona Speedweeks

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.