Tony Stewart crashes out early in NASCAR Truck Series at Talladega

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart suffered an early exit at Talladega Superspeedway on October 23, 2026, after being involved in a nine-car crash just 17 laps into the Craftsman Truck Series race. Fox News and the Toronto Star both reported that the multi-truck wreck was triggered by Stewart Friesen losing control of his vehicle. [1][2][5]

According to Fox News, this was the second time in the 2026 season that Tony Stewart participated in a Craftsman Truck Series event. In February, he drove the Number 25 Ram 1500 truck for Kaulig Racing, but that appearance also ended early following a crash 39 laps into the race. [1]

NASCAR.com reported that Sammy Smith went on to win the chaotic race at Talladega in overtime. Anthony Wayne Stewart, known as Smoke, is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who currently competes in the NHRA Top Fuel class for Elite Motorsports and drives part-time for Kaulig Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. [1][3][6]

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is the lowest of the three national divisions sanctioned by NASCAR, operating below the Cup Series and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. It remains the only national division in NASCAR that features racing with production pickup truck-based stock cars. [7]