Tony Stewart’s return to Daytona was supposed to be a feel-good moment. His first NASCAR start in a decade! But the night unraveled fast. After settling into the draft in the Fresh From Florida 250, Stewart’s comeback with Kaulig Racing ended early on Lap 36 when he was swept into a multi-truck crash. For a driver who’s conquered just about everything in motorsports, the disappointment stung. But in classic Tony Stewart fashion, that frustration quickly turned into fuel. The ‘Smoke’ hinted that a dirt late model return might be next as he looks to scratch the competitive itch Daytona left behind.

Tony Stewart teases a Dirt Late Model return

In the aftermath of his Daytona disappointment, Tony Stewart didn’t sulk. Instead, he started hinting at his next move. And, in true Stewart fashion, that next move might involve getting sideways on clay. Speaking post-Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event, Stewart slipped in a line that immediately grabbed the attention of dirt fans everywhere:

“So, we’re testing at Gainesville for the Gator Nationals and so running a top fuel car this week, ran the track last week, might as well throw some dirt at it at some point.”

It wasn’t just a throwaway comment. As you guys know, Stewart’s connection to dirt late models runs deep. His ownership of the iconic Eldora Speedway makes him one of the most influential figures in the discipline. Eldora hosts the biggest events in the sport, from the Dirt Late Model Dream to the World 100. Add in Stewart’s historic Prelude to the Dream, the star-studded charity race he ran from 2005 to 2012, and it’s clear he’s shaped the modern late model scene as much as anyone.

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But despite all that, Stewart has never been a consistent competitor in dirt late models himself. His personal racing focus in recent years has shifted to the NHRA, where he competes in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, driving a Top Fuel dragster for Elite Motorsports. That alone keeps his schedule brutally packed.

Still, the way he said it (the tone, the grin, the offhand honesty) felt like a spark. Stewart is a racer wired for challenge, and Daytona’s early heartbreak may have cracked open a door he’s been walking past for years. A dirt late model comeback isn’t confirmed, but the possibility suddenly feels more real than ever.

Ty Dillon steps in as Stewart’s substitute

Ty Dillon has officially been tapped to wheel the No. 25 Ram this weekend at EchoPark Speedway. For Dillon, it marks a familiar return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he last ran with Rackley W.A.R. in 2024 (his most recent full-time effort before stepping out for the year’s final stretch).

Dillon isn’t short on Truck Series credentials. He’s a three-time race winner, all earned in 2012 and 2013 during his impressive full-season campaigns with Richard Childress Racing. His experience, combined with his adaptability across NASCAR’s ladder, makes him a steady choice for Kaulig as they regroup after Stewart’s tough break.

Looking ahead, the No. 25 “Free Agent” entry remains mostly unsettled. Only one additional driver is confirmed for the remainder of the season: Carson Ferguson, who will take the wheel in late October at Martinsville Speedway. Ferguson was one of 15 finalists in the “Ram: Race for the Seat” program, a competition ultimately won by Mini Tyrell, who now joins Daniel Dye, Brenden Queen, and Justin Haley as the team’s four full-time drivers.

Saturday’s Fr8 208 will air live on Fox Sports 1 starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. It’s Dillon’s chance to steady the ship as the No. 25 team navigates an uncertain but intriguing path forward.