Let’s cut right to the chase. The NASCAR rumor mill is churning faster than a V8 engine on the final lap at Daytona, and the name on everyone’s lips is none other than Tony Stewart. Yeah, that Tony Stewart. “Smoke” himself. Ever since Kaulig Racing dropped the bombshell that they’re bringing Ram back to the Truck Series in 2026, the garage has been buzzing with one massive question.

Could this be the ride that lures the three-time Cup Series champion out of his NASCAR retirement? It feels like a lifetime ago that Stewart hung up his helmet after the 2024 season, leaving the sport he once dominated to focus on his NHRA team and other ventures.

The Impact of The Stewart-Haas Shutdown

The shutdown of Stewart-Haas Racing left a gaping hole in the Cup Series, and seeing Smoke walk away from the ownership side of things was a gut punch to fans who’d followed his fiery, no-holds-barred career. He traded the smell of burning rubber for nitromethane, and it seemed like his chapter in the stock car history books was closed for good.

But in racing, you never say never. Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice recently threw a log on this smoldering fire. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Rice addressed the speculation head-on. Does Kaulig Racing have a contract with Tony Stewart to drive one of their new Ram trucks?

The short answer is no. But then Rice dropped the kind of teaser that sends fans into a frenzy: just because there’s no ink on paper now doesn’t mean it won’t happen. That little glimmer of hope is all it took.

Why a Stewart and Kaulig Partnership Makes Sense

Think about it. A Tony Stewart comeback, even for a handful of races, would be monumental. It’s not just about a legendary driver getting back behind the wheel. It’s about the perfect storm of opportunity. Stewart is a wheelman, through and through. He’s one of the most versatile drivers ever to live, a guy who would race a lawnmower if you put a big enough engine in it.

The man lives and breathes competition. His time in NHRA proves he hasn’t lost that fire in his belly. For Kaulig Racing and Ram, bringing Stewart into the fold would be a marketing masterstroke. Imagine the headlines: “Smoke is Back.”

The return of a manufacturer as iconic as Ram to the Truck Series needs a superstar to anchor it, and who better than a Hall of Famer with a massive, loyal fanbase? Stewart’s gritty, blue-collar appeal is a perfect match for the Ram brand. It would generate significant buzz and instantly legitimize their new program.

What Hurdles Stand in the Way?

Of course, this isn’t a done deal. Stewart has built a whole new life in drag racing, not just as a driver but as a team owner with his wife, Leah Pruett. Walking away from that, even temporarily, is a big ask. He’s found a new home, a new family in the NHRA paddock. Is the pull of NASCAR strong enough to disrupt that?

Then there’s the simple question of desire. Does Tony Stewart even want to come back? He left NASCAR on his own terms, tired of the grind and the politics that can sometimes overshadow the pure racing. A part-time Truck Series schedule is a far cry from the grueling 36-race Cup season, but it’s still a commitment. He’d have to want to put in the work, get back in the simulator, and prove he can still hang with a new generation of hungry young guns.

Will The Rumor-Mill Come to Fruition?

If there’s one thing we know about Tony Stewart, it’s that he’s a racer’s racer. The allure of being part of Ram’s return, of helping build a new program from the ground up, and maybe, just maybe, getting to hoist another trophy in a NASCAR victory lane… that’s a powerful siren song. For now, it’s all speculation and hopeful whispers. But in the world of motorsports, sometimes the wildest rumors are the ones that come true. We’ll be watching this one with bated breath.