Over the past season, Kasey Kahne has slowly been reintroducing himself to stock-car racing. Tony Stewart, too, has openly admitted in recent months how he misses NASCAR. But what if we told you there might be a possibility for him to actually come back?

Recent rumors suggest that Ram Trucks (and associated brands, including Dodge) are planning a grand return to the NASCAR scene, specifically the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2026. In doing so, they might leverage legacy drivers like Stewart, Kahne, Greg Biffle, and Clint Bowyer to share driving duties in a “legends”-style program.

Ram’s CEO Tim Kuniskis also addressed the possibility of Stewart’s involvement, saying that while they had no firm commitments, the former Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner remains a name in the conversation. This aligns with chatter in the garage that the manufacturer wants to make a splash by bringing back recognizable names, rather than focusing solely on current active drivers who are tied to other manufacturers. Why is this generating such chatter?

First, fan nostalgia is a powerful force, and seeing drivers like Kahne or Stewart back behind the wheel (even if only part-time) awakens a lot of excitement. Second, from a marketing and brand perspective, Ram wants attention. Choosing a group of retired drivers to share that truck seems to be part of the blueprint.

Most importantly, it also aligns with Tony Stewart’s own vision.

“I’m definitely planning on coming back to NASCAR races,” Stewart said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in April. “As a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, I get a hard card. I don’t know if NASCAR has the ability to revoke that or not but until they do revoke it, I’m going to take advantage of having a hard card and I definitely want to come back and see everybody. I miss a lot of things about NASCAR and most of all the people. The people are what I enjoyed about it and the relationships I had there. Definitely looking forward to coming back and seeing everybody.”

Additionally, with his wife, Leah Pruett, returning to full-time NHRA Top Fuel division racing next season, the three-time Cup Series champion’s schedule is bound to clear up. In that case, we don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to return to stock car racing.

As for Kahne, he made a notable appearance at Rockingham Speedway in the Xfinity Series in April of 2025, his first national tour start since 2018. He qualified fourth, ran strong until a Stage 1 crash damaged his car, and ultimately salvaged a 14th-place finish.

The logic is simple: many current active drivers are locked into manufacturer deals, so the easiest path for Ram is to tap into past stars who can drive under the Ram or Dodge umbrella without conflicting current ties. The rumor that Tony Stewart and Kahne might be part of that program gives credibility to the notion, and the buzz is growing.

How would we feel seeing legends like these return for a couple of select races? Most fans would love it. It’s a mix of nostalgia, spectacle, and uncertainty, all ingredients for good racing theatre. Whether it’s a one-off cameo or the start of a fuller “throwback” program, the fact that the names, the manufacturer, and the truck series are all aligning makes this a story worth watching.

But, while we are yet to get a confirmation on the same, that didn’t stop fans on Reddit from cooking up their own theories.

Reddit roars with return rips for Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart

“I don’t want Kasey Kahne to come back because I want his truck record to be immortalized.” Kahne’s record in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is indeed remarkable. Over six career starts in the Truck Series, he has posted five wins, an average finish of just 1.2, led 328 laps, and never had a finish worse than second in those starts. That kind of dominance creates a mythic status; his statistics sheet in the Truck Series looks almost flawless.

So the fan’s point holds weight: if he were to return and race again, there’s a risk (however small) of altering or complicating that perfect-from-a-certain-angle ledger. Having that untouched legacy can have emotional value for fans. On the flip side, Kahne himself may or may not have an interest in returning full-time, so preserving the record might be moot, but the sentiment is understandable.

“Tony has his ties to Dodge, but I don’t see him coming back to race NASCAR.” Tony Stewart certainly has longstanding ties to the brand side of things. Dodge, and more recently Ram, has flirted with NASCAR entries, and Stewart has been linked in rumors.

For example, the Ram Trucks CEO recently acknowledged Stewart’s name when discussing potential drivers for a 2026 Truck Series program. The combination makes sense: while his relationship with the manufacturer makes him a credible candidate for return discussions, either driving or as a brand ambassador, his own statements suggest he’s not itching to line up in a NASCAR Cup or full Truck schedule. So the fan’s skepticism appears to match the evidence.

“Kahne could run a throwback to the Evernham days.” This is an interesting idea rooted in nostalgia. Kahne rose to prominence with Evernham Motorsports, piloting the No. 9 Dodge early in his Cup career. For example, his first Cup win came at Richmond in 2005, driving the No. 9 Dodge under Evernham.

A throwback run could mean Kahne stepping into a special one-off race, perhaps with an old livery referencing the Evernham era. Fans of that era would likely enjoy that. The manufacturer ties, Dodge and Ram, make the concept more plausible, though there’s as yet no public announcement of such a specific move. But the notion of reviving a special-event feel is valid.

“I think if the money is right, he’d come back tbh. And remember, it would be for a one-off. These guys won’t be doing more than one race, maybe two at best.” This is a realistic assessment of how veteran drivers often approach returns.

A full-season comeback is rare; more common is a one-off special event for promotional, nostalgic, or brand-activation reasons. Given Kahne’s top Truck stats and Stewart’s status, both are more likely candidates for selective appearances rather than full-season programs.

The brand side, for example, Ram, likely views a legends-style program as high ROI: bring in recognizable names for limited engagement to generate media and fan buzz. The “money is right” element is always relevant, as drivers will weigh compensation, sponsorship, personal schedule, and physical readiness before re-entering a nationally televised event.

“Get Michael Mayfield in it.” Assuming the comment refers to Michael Mayfield (or another “Mayfield” in the NASCAR context), the idea speaks to mixing legacy names with other recognized drivers for a promotional splash.

While no specific sources are linking Mayfield to the rumored Ram or Dodge program, the concept stands: a manufacturer-driven legends truck or special entry might include multiple retired or semi-retired drivers, not just Kahne or Stewart. The possibility of bundling names together adds to the buzz strategy. If Mayfield or another driver has availability, willingness, and sponsor appeal, he could be a logical participant in such a plan.