NASCAR rumors swirl as Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne linked to a possible 2026 comeback

The NASCAR rumor mill has captured attention, suggesting that Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne could return to stock-car racing next year. With Kaulig Racing’s newly formed alliance with RAM Trucks for the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series, speculation has grown that two of the sport’s most recognizable veterans might headline the team’s upcoming “All-Star” entry.

The discussion began after Kaulignation, the official account behind the RAMMIN is Racing podcast, hinted that Stewart and Kahne were among the names floated for Kaulig’s new RAM “All-Star” truck. The outlet said:

“We speculated Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne made sense for names that could be attached to the Kaulig/RAM All-Star truck. On Friday we were told by a source that those names were actually names they had heard as options for that truck along with others.”

Their report was later echoed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where host Mike Skinner also mentioned Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne as possible names tied to Kaulig’s plans.

Kaulig Racing officially exited the Xfinity Series after the 2025 season and is now fully focused on its Truck and Cup programs. The team is expected to field five RAM entries in the 2026 Truck Series. Confirmed drivers so far include Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley.

As per reports, several emerging names, including Landon Huffman, Timmy Tyrrell, Carson Ferguson, and Conner Jones, are rumored to feature in the lineup.

The #10 Kaulig Racing Ram truck for the 2026 season at the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram dealership. Source: Getty

But the biggest headlines have come from the possibility of Stewart and Kahne making short-term appearances, something that Stellantis reportedly supports as part of a broader marketing push for RAM’s NASCAR return.

For Stewart, the link is significant. Stellantis already sponsors much of his NHRA program, and the automaker’s involvement in both his drag racing operation and Kaulig’s new NASCAR project has fueled talk of a potential crossover appearance. However, many industry observers remain cautious about whether the three-time Cup Series champion would actually step back into a NASCAR cockpit.

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Why is a NASCAR comeback unlikely for Tony Stewart but plausible for Kasey Kahne?

Kasey Kahne (L) and Tony Stewart (R) during the 2012 Cup race at Kentucky Speedway. Source: Getty

Tony Stewart last competed in a NASCAR race in 2016 and has consistently distanced himself from the series ever since. Following the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, he made it clear that he had no interest in returning as an owner or driver, citing his frustration with the direction of the sport from officiating and car design to the playoff format.

On top of that, his post-NASCAR chapter has been flourishing. Stewart was the rookie of the year in NHRA last year and won the 2025 regular-season championship on his way to the Pomona Winternationals finale. He’s already set to return in 2026 with a new Elite Motorsports–Tony Stewart Racing merger, forming one of the largest drag racing organizations in the country. His wife, Leah Pruett-Stewart, is also returning from a two-year sabbatical to race full-time next season for TSR.

Given that commitment, a NASCAR cameo seemed unlikely, though a one-off Truck appearance couldn’t be entirely ruled out if Stellantis pushed for a crossover marketing moment. Kasey Kahne, on the other hand, represents a more realistic possibility. The former Hendrick Motorsports driver made his first start in eight years in an NASCAR Xfinity Series race for Richard Childress Racing.

“I enjoyed it,” Kahne said after the race. “I’ve really looked forward to it and put a lot into it. It was really fun working with the RCR group, going up to their shop, just being part of a NASCAR team again — that was really cool. … I’m really glad I did this. I wish it would have gone differently, but we were very competitive and had a shot at being somewhere in that top five if things went our way.”

Driving the No. 33 Chevrolet, Kahne finished inside the top 15. That return reignited fan interest and proved Kahne still had the pace and desire to compete. His experience, along with his clean reputation and marketing appeal, make him an ideal candidate for a part-time “All-Star” Truck role, particularly in a program designed to attract both legacy fans and new viewers.

As of now, Kaulig and RAM have not confirmed any part-time signings beyond their primary lineup, but with Stellantis aiming to launch its return “with a bang,” the idea of putting two former fan favorites behind the wheel for select races fits perfectly into that vision.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam