Three-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Tony Stewart is again, not less than for one race on the nationwide degree of NASCAR.
Stewart, who’s now 54 years previous however nonetheless actively racing, will pilot the ‘free agent’ truck for Kaulig Racing and Ram within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence season-opener at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. ‘Smoke’ hasn’t began a NASCAR race since retiring from the Cup Sequence on the finish of the 2016 season, and he hasn’t run a Truck Sequence occasion since 2005.
Stewart can be the winningest driver not named Earnhardt at Daytona with 19 victories throughout the Cup Sequence, O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence and IROC.
“I’ve raced nearly all the pieces with 4 wheels at Daytona, however by no means a truck. So when a seat within the new Ram was supplied up for his or her first race again in NASCAR, I didn’t hesitate,” stated Stewart. Ram’s Free Agent program is one other good way for me to remain sharp and have somewhat enjoyable.”
Kaulig’s free agent program will deliver in several names each weekend to pilot its No. 25 entry.
“We’re not simply returning to the observe; we’re rewriting the playbook. Bringing Tony in as the primary Free Agent will generate a loopy quantity of pleasure, which is strictly why we created this system—permitting followers to look at an all-time favourite driver get again into the seat, however this time, it’s a Ram truck,” stated Tim Kuniskis, Head of American Manufacturers, SRT Efficiency, NA Advertising and Retail Technique at Stellantis. “That is about honoring a legacy. Tony represents grit, dedication, and the spirit of racing—pure adrenaline for the followers.”
Along with 49 wins and three NASCAR Cup titles, the versatile Stewart is a former IndyCar champion, the one driver to win all three USAC Nationwide championships (Midget, Dash, Silver Crown) in the identical yr, and presently competed within the NHRA.
“Having Tony Stewart in one in all our Ram vans is the type of factor you dream about,” stated Matt Kaulig, Founder and Proprietor of Kaulig Racing. “He’s a legend—his title alone brings vitality to the game. We couldn’t be extra fired as much as have him in our camp as we roll into Daytona for our first race. That is going to be a experience price watching.”
This may mark Stewart’s seventh look within the Truck Sequence, the place he has two victories. Nevertheless, this might be his first time racing a Truck on the iconic superspeedway. Whereas by no means a winner of the Daytona 500, Smoke has 4 wins in summer season Cup race, three Duel wins, three Conflict wins, seven O’Reilly wins, and two IROC wins there.
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