Daytona 500 winner returns to NASCAR in Kaulig free agent truck

Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman is set to return to NASCAR next month through Kaulig Racing’s free-agent truck program, signaling a major comeback after nearly three years away. He will drive the No. 25 Ram at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18. The 48-year-old most recently raced full-time in 2021 and made eight starts for Rick Ware Racing in 2023, but his Truck Series appearances have been limited, with just seven lifetime starts and no races since 2018. Newman is a 2008 Daytona 500 winner with 18 Cup victories, including 13 wins in Dodge. In the Truck Series, he has one win, in 2008 at Atlanta. Kaulig’s free-agent seat includes other drivers such as Tony Stewart, Colin Braun, Travis Pastrana, Clint Bowyer, and Jamie McMurray this season.