Tony Stewart Sparks Controversy in NASCAR Rule Change

In a move that’s stirring up debate across the NASCAR community, the sanctioning body has introduced a new rule for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, guaranteeing up to four additional starting spots for vehicles from a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the season’s first three races. Many think it was done for Tony Stewart.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

This adjustment, which expands the field from the standard 36 trucks to as many as 40, is directly linked to Ram Trucks’ entry into the series through a partnership with Kaulig Racing. Kaulig, previously absent from the Truck Series, is launching an ambitious five-truck program featuring drivers Justin Haley, Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, a yet-to-be-determined full-timer, and a rotating “Free Agent” entry in the No. 25 Ram 1500. The rule ensures that if any of Kaulig’s trucks fail to qualify on speed, up to four will still make the race—unless all five miss out, in which case the fastest four qualify anyway.

The impacted events include the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, followed by EchoPark Speedway on February 21 and a street race in St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 28. While NASCAR frames this as support for Ram’s debut as the fourth manufacturer in the series (joining Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota), critics aren’t buying it.

Full-time Truck Series driver Frankie Muniz, competing for Ford’s Team Reaume, blasted the change on social media on January 16, calling it “So pathetic.” Fans have echoed the sentiment, viewing the rule as a blatant handout to one team while others must earn their spots the hard way.

So pathetic.

— Frankie Muniz (@frankiemuniz) January 16, 2026

Fueling the fire is the announcement that three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will pilot the No. 25 Free Agent truck at Daytona, marking his first NASCAR start since 2016 and his first Truck Series outing since 2005. Stewart, affectionately known as “Smoke,” stepped away from NASCAR after shutting down Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 to pursue NHRA drag racing, making this a highly anticipated comeback. The truck’s bold yellow-and-black scheme proudly declares “RAM is back” on the hood and tailgate, with “Welcome to the Smoke show” encircling the design—a nod to both the manufacturer’s return and Stewart’s fiery persona.

However, the excitement has been tempered by conspiracy theories suggesting the rule change was tailor-made to guarantee Stewart’s participation. One fan quipped on January 16: “Is this the Tony Stewart must be in the race rule?” The timing couldn’t be more suspicious, as Stewart’s entry was revealed shortly before the rule’s implementation, leading some to speculate that NASCAR is bending over backward to feature a legend like Stewart, whose star power could boost viewership for the opener. This isn’t without precedent; Kaulig’s Cup Series ties remain with Chevrolet, but whispers of a future Dodge alignment in 2028 add layers to Ram’s aggressive push.

Tony Stewart Truck Livery. Image supplied by Kaulig Racing

Fan reactions to Stewart’s return have been a mixed bag, with social media buzzing over the truck’s aesthetics. Enthusiasts hailed it as “sweet” and dreamed of victory lane burnouts, but detractors slammed the matte black finish as “boring” and ineffective under Daytona’s lights, questioning the lack of prominent sponsors despite Stewart’s Hall of Fame credentials. Some even raised concerns about on-track chaos, citing potential mismatches in talent and warning of crashes in the unpredictable pack racing at Daytona.

As part of broader 2026 updates, including a playoff format overhaul, NASCAR insists the rule will stay on the books indefinitely, though its real-world impact may be negligible if qualifying goes smoothly. Still, the controversy underscores ongoing tensions in the sport about fairness, manufacturer influence, and the pull of big names like Stewart. With the green flag dropping in just weeks, all eyes will be on whether “Smoke” can deliver a triumphant return—or if the rule change debate overshadows the action on the track.