If you were looking for a craftsman truck race today, you probably noticed the tracks are quiet, but the newsroom is absolutely screaming. We are deep in the January "offseason," yet NASCAR just dropped a news bomb that has basically reset the expectations for the 2026 season. Tony Stewart is coming back. Yeah, "Smoke" himself is officially climbing back into a NASCAR cockpit.
Honestly, the timing is kind of perfect. While there isn't a green flag dropping this afternoon, the series just dominated the news cycle by announcing Stewart will drive for Kaulig Racing in the season opener at Daytona on February 13. He’s not just driving anything, though. He’s piloting a Ram truck. If you’ve been following the sport for more than a minute, you know Ram hasn't been in the mix for over a decade. Seeing that badge back on the grill with a three-time Cup champion behind the wheel? It’s the kind of stuff that makes you want to skip the next month of winter and go straight to Florida.
Why the Craftsman Truck Race Today is All About Tony Stewart
Let’s be real: the Truck Series is usually the "wild child" of NASCAR. It’s where teenagers with too much talent and not enough fear rub fenders with veterans who’ve seen it all. But adding Tony Stewart to the Daytona entry list changes the gravity of the whole thing. Stewart is 54 now. He hasn’t started a NASCAR national series race since 2016. You might think he’s rusty, but the guy just won the 2025 NHRA Top Fuel regular-season title. He’s still got the twitch.
The deal is part of Kaulig Racing’s new "Free Agent" program. Basically, they’re running five trucks this year. Three are full-time—Daniel Dye, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, and Justin Haley—but the No. 25 truck is a rotating seat for stars and ringers. Stewart is the first name on that list. It’s a massive play for the series’ visibility.
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The Return of the Ram
Ram coming back to NASCAR is a huge story that sort of snuck up on us. They haven't won a race since Ryan Blaney took one to victory lane back in 2012. Today’s announcement confirms that Stellantis is putting serious muscle behind this. They aren't just dipping a toe in; fielding five trucks with a team as competitive as Kaulig shows they want to win immediately.
NASCAR also threw another curveball today by announcing a return to "The Chase" format for 2026. This is big. For the craftsman truck race today, the conversation has shifted from "who’s fast?" to "who can survive the new points system?" They’re ditching the win-and-you’re-in elimination style. Now, the top 10 drivers in the Truck Series will battle it out over a seven-race Chase. It rewards consistency again, which is a major win for the "old school" fans.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule Changes
While we aren't watching trucks circle an oval right now, we did get the confirmed layout for the year. It's weird. It’s different. It’s actually pretty exciting. NASCAR is leaning hard into variety this year.
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- Street Racing Hits the Trucks: We’re getting the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 28. A truck race on a street circuit? It’s going to be absolute carnage in the best way possible.
- The Coronado Experiment: In June, they’re heading to Naval Base Coronado for another street fight.
- Old School Returns: Rockingham is back on April 3. Seeing the trucks back on "The Rock" feels right.
There’s also a move for the season finale. We’re going to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 6 to crown the champion. Most drivers prefer Homestead because you can actually race there; it’s not just a "don’t-get-wrecked" survival fest like some other tracks.
What About the Current Talent?
While Stewart is the headline, don't sleep on the guys who actually live in this series. Corey Heim is the defending 2025 champion, and he was a monster last year. He set a record with 12 wins. Twelve! That’s almost half the season. He’s staying with Tricon Garage in the No. 11 Toyota, and he’s easily the favorite to repeat, even with the format change.
Then you’ve got guys like Kaden Honeycutt, who finally landed a full-time ride with Tricon. And Luke Baldwin—son of the legendary crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr.—just announced a 12-race deal with Team Reaume. The grid is getting younger, but it's also getting more "legacy" names, which keeps the fans engaged.
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How to Prepare for the Season Opener
Since the next craftsman truck race today is technically a few weeks away at Daytona, you’ve got time to get your setup ready. If you're planning on watching, here’s the "insider" checklist for what to watch during Speedweeks.
First, watch the "Race for the Seat" reality show. Kaulig is literally picking one of their drivers through a TV competition for the No. 14 truck. It’s a bit gimmicky, sure, but in a world of pay-drivers, seeing someone earn a seat through raw competition is kind of refreshing.
Second, keep an eye on the technical updates. NASCAR just issued new rules for 750-horsepower tracks and A-post flaps. The trucks are going to handle a bit differently this year, especially at the high-speed ovals.
Actionable Steps for the Race Fan
- Mark February 13 on your calendar: That’s the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona. 7:30 PM ET on FS1. Tony Stewart in a Ram. You don't want to miss that.
- Update your streaming apps: The broadcast rights are shifting a bit. Most truck races are still on FOX Sports/FS1, but keep an eye out for the occasional FOX main-channel broadcast, like the St. Petersburg race.
- Follow the "Silly Season" tracker: With Stewart’s announcement today, expect more "Free Agent" names to drop soon. Names like Kyle Busch or even Clint Bowyer are always rumored for these types of one-off deals.
The craftsman truck race today might just be a series of press releases and shop talk, but the momentum is real. We’re seeing a manufacturer return, a legend come out of retirement, and a championship format that actually makes sense again. It’s a good time to be a truck fan.
For the most up-to-date entry lists and practice times as we head into Daytona, make sure to check the official NASCAR mobile app or the team socials for Kaulig Racing. They'll be dropping the livery reveal for Stewart's No. 25 Ram any day now, and if the rumors of a "throwback" look are true, it's going to be a must-see.