The 2026 NASCAR season has quickly turned into a season of return, with veterans from NASCAR history returning for the first time in several seasons to race in NASCAR’s National Series.
All NASCAR drivers share one trait; while some may step away from racing, racing does not let go of them. Even after retirement, many still feel the pull of racing on ovals. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a case in point in recent seasons.
Although he skipped participating in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series last year, he has made at least one start in the series each season since stepping away in 2017. Beyond that, he continues to compete in the CARS Tour Late Model Series, aiming to keep short-track racing in the spotlight.
However, he is not alone. Several veteran drivers are now making their way back to NASCAR after time away from the cockpit.
Last Race: 2016 Cup Series at Homestead | Finished: 22nd
First Race Back: 2026 Truck Series at Daytona | Finished: 36th
Tony Stewart made his way back to NASCAR this year after closing the chapter on Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cup program in 2024 and shifting his focus to drag racing in the NHRA Top Fuel division.
Though his last Truck Series race came in 2005, and his final Cup Series start was in 2016, Stewart drove Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram truck at Daytona and finished 36th.
Ram has entered five trucks this season with Kaulig Racing, scoring a renewed push into NASCAR. Since the start of the year, the program has brought several names back into the sport, with Stewart serving as the first of this bunch.
Last Race: 2011 Truck Series at Atlanta | Finished: 19th
First Race Back: 2026 Truck Series at St. Petersburg | Finished: 9th
Colin Braun, a WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype Challenge title winner, competed in NASCAR from 2007 to 2010 in the Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series with Roush Fenway Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports.
This season, he returned to NASCAR with Kaulig Racing, driving the No. 25 Ram truck at St. Petersburg and finishing P9.
Before that, his last NASCAR appearance came in 2011, when he drove the No. 51 Ford truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports at Michigan and Atlanta. His last Cup Series start dates back to 2010, when he raced in the season finale at Homestead and finished 29th.
Last Race: 2024 Truck Series at Nashville | Finished: 17th
First Race Back: 2026 Truck Series at Dover
Clint Bowyer, who stepped away from full-time NASCAR competition in 2020, is also appointed to return, driving the No. 25 truck for Kaulig Racing. His last Truck Series outing came in 2024, when he drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 truck at Nashville and finished 17th.
His final Cup Series race came at Phoenix Raceway in 2020, where he wrapped up the season in 12th in the standings while driving the No. 14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. Over the course of his Cup career, Bowyer raced for Richard Childress Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, HScott Motorsports, and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Now, the 10-time Cup winner will come back to drive the Ram 1500 at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15. Bowyer shared his thoughts on returning to the track upon the announcement of his plans during FOX’s pre-race show at Talladega in April.
“I’m pumped to get back in a truck, especially one with Ram power behind it,” Bowyer said. “Dover is a beast — concrete, tight and unforgiving — and I plan to put this No. 25 Ram Free Agent truck right up front where it belongs.”
Last Race: 2021 Cup Series at Daytona | Finished: 8th
First Race Back: 2025 Truck Series at San Diego
Jamie McMurray competed in the NASCAR Cup Series on a full-time basis from 2003 to 2018 with teams such as Chip Ganassi Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing, before scaling back to select Daytona 500 starts in 2019 and 2021.
During FOX’s pre-race broadcast from Talladega Superspeedway, McMurray, now an analyst for the network, announced that he is set to return to the driver’s seat in 2026. To no surprise, this will come with RAM’s No. 25 Free Agent entry at Kaulig Racing.
McMurray’s last NASCAR start came in 2021 at the Daytona 500, where he drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet to an 8th place finish. His most recent Truck Series appearance dates back to 2008, when he drove the No. 9 entry for Roush-Fenway Racing at Martinsville and finished 19th.
Now, McMurray, a seven-time Cup winner and the 2010 Daytona 500 champion, will line up for the Truck Series’ first race at the Naval Base Coronado street course in San Diego on June 19.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know. Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.
