Well, well, well, there’s a lot of “Smoke” swirling around the upcoming 2026 NASCAR season. For starters, RAM Trucks are reportedly gearing up for a return, the playoff format is due for a major overhaul, and new venues are being added to the calendar. But at the center of all the speculation stands the most jaw-dropping rumor of them all: the potential comeback of three-time champion Tony Stewart and fellow veteran Kasey Kahne.

Which begs the question: how true can it be? Especially after Stewart’s public frustration with the direction NASCAR has taken and his emphatic claim that he’d “never again” own a team after the fall of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024.

Is Tony Stewart Really Eyeing a NASCAR Return?

Stewart’s words were as blunt as they were final: “I am not going to own a team in NASCAR ever again.” After shuttering SHR in 2024, after 16 years of operation, beaten down by soaring expenses and the weight of a changing sport, the three-time champion seemed ready to leave stock car racing behind.

Fans mourned the exit of one of the sport’s fiercest competitors, a man whose fire once defined an era. Now, that same fire might be sparking again, with rumors swirling of an unthinkable return. Still, many fans wonder if it’s truly a comeback in the making or just smoke without fire.

Recently, Kaulignation, the official home of the “RAMMIN is Racing” podcast, sparked speculation by suggesting that Stewart and Kahne could headline the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Truck Race, both behind the wheel of RAM entries. The rumor gained traction despite the recent split between Kaulig Racing and Richard Childress Racing, following Kaulig’s decision to part ways with Chevrolet and align with RAM.

The post also noted that Mike Skinner and Angie of SiriusXM shared similar speculation on the topic.

In a follow-up post, the same outlet claimed that Kaulig/RAM was pushing to field a fifth truck for the All-Star event. It further hinted that Justin Haley could take part in select Cup Series races, a development possibly linked to the chain of moves that opened the door for him to take on the truck ride in the first place.

Many have pointed to Stewart‘s long-standing frustration with the sanctioning body’s direction as proof he’d never return to the sport. It’s a fair assumption, after all, that the three-time champion made no secret of his discontent with the series’ leadership and evolution in recent years. Yet, as the saying goes, never say never.

So, what might have changed? Between the recent court resolutions, the looming overhaul of the points system, and the addition of fresh venues to the schedule, NASCAR’s landscape may finally be shifting toward something more aligned with the veteran’s values.

Another key factor could be Stellantis. The automaker, which is reportedly eager to reintroduce its RAM Trucks brand to NASCAR, is planning a significant marketing push across multiple platforms, including a new television project. Stellantis also covers a significant portion of Stewart’s NHRA program expenses.

If this comeback materializes, it may have less to do with NASCAR’s revival and more to do with a strategic alignment between Stellantis and one of motorsport’s most marketable icons.