Breaking: Kaulig Racing set to lead Ram’s 2026 NASCAR Truck Series return in 2026

Ram's much-anticipated announcement on August 23, 2025, revealed that it will officially name Kaulig Racing its lead factory team for its long-awaited return to NASCAR. It was announced at a Ram dealership just off of Daytona International Speedway hours before the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

This is the first time a Stellantis brand will appear as a manufacturer in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series since 2012, so it's a big step in the brand's motorsport revival.

Kaulig Racing going big with five entries in the Truck Series

Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Matt Kaulig, Kaulig Racing will lead Ram's 2026 efforts by campaigning as many as five Ram 1500 trucks. The trucks will make their debut during the season-opening race at Daytona on February 13th, 2026.

Such ambition is also a hallmark of the Kaulig ethos, which he characterized well at the announcement.

Currently fielding Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, the team is launching a full Truck Series operation to back Ram's return while not impacting its current programs.It's a return for Ram and a crucial step for Kaulig Racing, the team slowly building into a national touring series player for NASCAR. Kaulig is stepping up to the Truck Series in a big way, hoping to establish the groundwork for a quick Ram return.

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Shared values underpin the new factory partnership

Team director Chris Rice and executive Ty Norris were integral in solidifying the deal and are stressing that it was teamwork and family culture that pushed the expansion forward at Kaulig Racing. After all, as Rice pointed out, just about everybody at Kaulig works across series, and the organization has a single-operation feel rolling purposefully into the Truck Series.

That's because this partnership guarantees Ram won't be back in NASCAR as an also-ran: the brand has its sights set squarely on races and credibility in the series in the long run.

To Kaulig Racing, this status also writes another chapter for how quickly the team has ascended through the ranks of stock car racing, and to the top tiers' ability to run competitively and successfully against the best in the world.The announcement not only pushes Ram back into NASCAR in a big way but also represents Kaulig Racing's ascendance into a title contender in all three national series. The 2026 Craftsman Truck Series is barreling toward one of the most exciting seasons the fans have seen in years, with as many as five trucks joining the fray, and plans for a full-nation campaign on deck, too.