The upcoming NASCAR season is poised to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent history, given the changes on the horizon. With Dodge returning to the Truck Series grid through its ‘RAM’ brand, the hype was already running high. With NASCAR confirming that there will be changes to the playoff format, the hype is higher than ever.
To make matters more interesting, the Cup Series cars will feature a slight boost of power on select tracks, giving fans hope for a better racing package. And if that wasn’t all, the rumor mill now suggests that a beloved legend of the sport might be returning to the famous ovals in 2026.
NASCAR Legend and Former Cup Series Champion Tipped for Famous Comeback in 2026
Over the years, many drivers have stepped away from the realm of NASCAR racing, but only a select few have graced the sport with a famous comeback. Kasey Kahne became the most recent driver to do so, as he took part in the Xfinity Series race in Rockingham earlier this year.
Meanwhile, drivers like Casey Mears, Juan Pablo Montoya, Gregg Biffle, and Matt Kenseth have all made comebacks in NASCAR. And if the rumours are to be believed, former Cup Series driver and three-time champion, Tony Stewart, might be about to become the latest driver to join the list.
With RAM joining the Truck Series, the organisation’s parent company, Stellantis, is reportedly joining the sport as well. As part of the effort, the team will feature five trucks in the 2026 season with Kaulig Racing, with one of the seats being associated with Stewart.
Notably, three seats have already been sealed for next season, with Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley, driving for Kaulig Racing full-time.
As such, the two remaining seats have been linked to several legendary names. Moreover, X user ‘Kaulignation’ had previously confirmed that they were told by their sources that Stewart’s name was actually in contention for one of the seats.
Additionally, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio hosts have also claimed to have heard rumors about the current NHRA driver joining the All-Star truck race.
One of the primary reasons behind the rumors is that Stewart’s NHRA Top Fuel team, Tony Stewart Racing, is a Dodge team. Given the same, fans and insiders have joined the dots to speculate about a special comeback for the 2026 season.
While the news is circulating, it’s worth remembering that earlier this year, RAM Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis revealed to Kevin Harvick that he hadn’t heard of Stewart being interested in playing a role in Dodge’s return to NASCAR.
Nonetheless, fans remain optimistic about seeing the three-time Cup Series champion return to the sport, with speculation also surrounding Kasey Kahne’s potential comeback alongside him.
