Ex-Dodge CEO Gives an Update on Tony Stewart’s Possible Return as NASCAR team owner

Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis reveals the ground reality behind the possibility of Tony Stewart's return to leadership role with the team in 2026.

Ex-Dodge CEO Gives an Update on Tony Stewart’s Possible Return as NASCAR team owner

Tony Stewart (via USA Today), Dodge Ram Logo (via Dodge)

Dodge Ram is all set to make a terrific return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the 2026 season, ending their 13-year-long absence from the sport. With the team planning to reportedly field over four trucks, they will need serious leadership on the track. As such, with the neat details of the team being finalized, Ram Truck’s CEO, Tim Kuniskis, has revealed the reality behind the return of Stewart-Haas’ co-owner, Tony Stewart, to assume the leadership role in the Craftsman series.

The fans received the news of Dodge Ram’s return to NASCAR with great enthusiasm, as they have remained one of the better competitors on the track. Dodge has also laid out their ambitions to climb the ranks of NASCAR racing and potentially field their cars in the Cup Series as early as the 2027 season. Tony Stewart was thought of as the best leader for the team in their bid to join the grid in the coming year.

While Dodge Ram has not yet finalized on the leadership role, Tony Stewart has wholeheartedly supported their decision to return to the sport. The team also didn’t publicly reject the idea of undertaking Stewart as their team leader. However, Tim Kuniskis has revealed why this might not be possible in the near future.

Kuniskis revealed what people thought about Dodge Ram’s announcement at Michigan and questioned if the team was just fishing to see who would come up to lead the team. Although they wouldn’t have minded this situation, no notable names have come up since then. Moreover, the CEO revealed that Tony Stewart never approached or initiated talks supporting the idea of him leading the team. Hence, Stewart might not return to a leadership role in a team shortly.

People said when I was at MIS and I made this announcement, they said, ‘Are you just fishing for the team to see who stands up? I didn’t hear anything from Tony, but we’ll see where this all ends up.

Tim Kuniskis said via the Daily Downforce.

Tony Stewart ready to do ‘everything’ to help Dodge Ram’s return

Tony Stewart remains one of the biggest supporters of Dodge’s return to NASCAR. The 54-year-old has not backed down from applauding the team in their endeavor and achieve success in the sport. While Stewart couldn’t achieve much success with the Stewart-Haas team in NASCAR, he was expected to return to finish the unfinished business.

Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart (Via IMAGO)

However, Stewart has clarified that he would never own a team in NASCAR again. The 54-year-old is likely still not over the failed stint with Stewart-Haas and would not want to get back in the game prematurely. Still, the three-time champion has reissued his faith in Dodge and their bid to return to the sport, and ultimately the Cup Series. He is also ready to do everything possible to help the team achieve a great comeback.

We’ll do everything we can to help. But I am not going to own a team in NASCAR ever again.

Tony Stewart told FOX Sports.

Tony Stewart seems hell bent on his idea to not own a team in NASCAR as the racer as well as his fans really misses him since the closure of SHR. Dodge Ram and Co. will have to do some serious convincing to do if they want the three-time champion to return in a leadership position. Time will tell about how the ambitious plan of Dodge pans out in the end, as they will now have to lock in with a leader before their return.

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