Tony Stewart on Racing NASCAR Vans Once more After Daytona Crash: 'By no means Say By no means'

[ad_1] Daytona Worldwide Speedway (Daytona Seashore, Fla.) — Tony Stewart signed as much as compete in a single NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Collection race in 2026: The season-opening Recent From Florida 250 on Friday.

Might he join extra? Hey, who would have thought six months in the past that 54-year-old Stewart would ever race in NASCAR once more? Effectively, on little observe, Stewart jumped behind the wheel of the No. 25 Kaulig Racing Ram this week to present it a go.

The three-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion — whose final NASCAR race was in 2016 and final truck race was in 2005 — and present NHRA racer had his NASCAR return finish with a wreck 39 laps into the 100-lap truck season opener on Daytona's iconic 2.5-mile monitor.

"I did not suppose I used to be going to be right here 10 years after I retired, so I feel we have now to be taught to by no means say by no means," Stewart instructed FOX Sports activities broadcaster Amanda Busick after being launched from the infield care heart. "It is a terrific alternative. ... Simply lastly getting in a spot the place I felt like I may begin hustling and being within the combine there a bit bit.

"Early on, it was identical to form of hold on. [I] knew we wanted to maintain it till we received a shot to make pit stops. So in all probability wanted another good swing at it to essentially get to the place we may go, however we're gaining on it. So at the very least they're constructing a pocket book now. The remainder of the fellows are on the market nonetheless digging, in order that they'll construct a great pocket book for after we come again subsequent time."

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We come again subsequent time?

He instructed me and different reporters that he signed up for one race and that’s at present the plan. However he additionally gave the impression of a man who loved his race till Jake Garcia received unfastened and slid into him.

"I do not get an opportunity to combine it up wheel to wheel with anyone anymore on the drag race aspect," Stewart stated. "You do not wish to be round anyone working 300 miles an hour.

"But it surely was enjoyable to return again right here. It’s enjoyable to look at the fashion these children run. You might inform the fellows that their vans felt good proper out of the gate, they usually had been aggressive. And I used to be like, ‘Man, I want I had the boldness to try this.’"

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Stewart stated he by no means received snug being in any spot on the monitor.

"I knew [the truck] wasn't going to have the ability to do the center of the three-wide deal," Stewart stated. "I wasn't snug sufficient with that, and we weren't tight sufficient to try this. However the swings we had been making — that was getting the steadiness quite a bit nearer to the place we may try this."

It nearly gave the impression of Stewart has unfinished enterprise. The day earlier than the race, he indicated he must do some convincing — he has a 15-month-old son with spouse and fellow drag racer Leah Pruett — if he needed to do extra races within the gaps of his full-time NHRA schedule.