Kyle Busch Delivers Blunt Warning to Tony Stewart Ahead of NASCAR Return
NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch has voiced strong concerns about Tony Stewart's upcoming return to racing. He believes the sport Stewart is rejoining has become far more reckless than before. Busch offered a stark, seven-word piece of advice that reveals his lost faith in the new generation of drivers.
A Ruthless New Era in Racing
In a past interview, Busch addressed how current drivers display a more ruthless attitude on the track. This often leads to frequent crashes and aggressive maneuvers. He provided examples showing that outside the Cup Series, drivers engage in intense battles. These confrontations frequently end races prematurely for many competitors.
As Stewart prepares for his comeback, Busch's warning sets a serious tone. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and former team owner, will compete at Daytona International Speedway. This marks his first Truck Series race in over twenty years. He will drive the #25 RAM Truck in the season-opening event on February 13th.
Busch's Caustic Remark and Practical Advice
Kyle Busch is a well-known figure in the Truck Series. He won the season-opening event more than a decade ago and triumphed at Atlanta last year. Busch has some practical tips for Stewart that make considerable sense. He stated he needs to get Stewart one of his old shirts from a few years back. Busch noted that particular race day often proves the most expensive for team owners.
Racing has undergone significant changes since Stewart last competed in the Truck Series. Drivers have undeniably become more aggressive. In response, Busch made a caustic seven-word remark about Stewart's comeback. He said, "I hope he doesn't plan on finishing." This blunt statement underscores the challenges awaiting Stewart.
The Challenge Ahead for Stewart
This return presents a difficult task for Tony Stewart. He has not run a race in any of NASCAR's premier series since 2016. However, his experience as a full-time NHRA participant and team manager has provided him with valuable motorsport insights. While he has been away from stock car racing, Stewart remains a potentially formidable competitor on any given race day.
Why Racing Has Grown More Aggressive
Kyle Busch firmly believes racing has become more aggressive for several clear reasons. NASCAR competition has intensified over the years, especially within the Truck Series. The playoff and stage championship format, used until the 2025 season, created one primary problem. This format rewarded race wins more heavily than consistent performance.
The result was predictable. Drivers focused more on winning races by any means necessary rather than maintaining consistency on the track. This trend has been observed across all of NASCAR's premier series, not just the Truck Series. Furthermore, the current generation of Trucks faces aerodynamic challenges. They struggle in dirty air, making overtaking maneuvers particularly challenging and often unclean.
Tony Stewart's comeback at Daytona will test his skills against this new, aggressive racing landscape. Kyle Busch's warning highlights the dramatic shift in NASCAR culture that Stewart must now navigate.