By Andy DeLay, Seriously Fast Motorsports Staff Writer

The “Smoke” is rising again at Daytona. Kaulig Racing announced that Tony Stewart will return to NASCAR competition, driving one of their brand-new Dodge RAM Trucks in the season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona.

Better known to our readers as “Smoke,” Stewart has been away from stock car competition for some time, last competing in the Cup Series in 2016 and the Truck Series way back in 2005. Since then, he has shifted his competitive focus to NHRA drag racing with Dodge.

While Stewart is an undeniable master of Daytona, boasting a staggering 19 wins across the NASCAR Cup Series, IROC, and what many of us still remember as the Busch Series, he revealed a surprising gap in his impressive resume: he has never raced a truck there.

“I’ve raced just about everything with four wheels at Daytona, but never a truck,” Stewart admitted. “So when a seat in the new Ram was offered up for their first race back in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate.”

This return is significantly more than just a cameo appearance by a Hall of Famer. It marks RAM Truck’s bold re-entry into NASCAR, blending Stewart’s legendary competitive spirit with a new manufacturer push. Stewart will serve as the inaugural competitor in Ram’s groundbreaking “Free Agent” program in the Craftsman Truck Series. The program is designed to bring legendary drivers and rising stars into the spotlight, offering fans a unique mix of experience and fresh talent behind the wheel of the new Ram trucks.

It signals a major investment in the sport, with Ram planning to field five trucks this season in partnership with Kaulig Racing.

Tim Kuniskis, Head of American Brands at Stellantis (Dodge), noted that bringing Stewart in was about rewriting the playbook and honoring a legacy. “Tony represents grit, determination, and the spirit of racing—pure adrenaline for the fans,” Kuniskis said.

For Kaulig Racing, pairing with a returning manufacturer and an icon of the sport is a massive opportunity.

“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, never one to shy away from a challenge, views the opportunity as a way to keep his edge. “Ram’s Free Agent program is another great way for me to stay sharp and have a little fun,” Stewart said.

Speedweeks at Daytona just got a whole lot louder. Welcome back, Smoke.

Image Credit: Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images