Alliances can make or break a team’s rise in NASCAR. Kaulig Racing entered into Cup Series scene in 2020, and since then, it has leaned on support from Richard Childress Racing for years. They also shared a campus in Welcome, North Carolina, where both built steady growth together. But now, after years of close collaboration, that technical tie is falling apart.

The shift comes as Kaulig eyes big moves, like fielding five RAM Truck Series in 2026. Now, Kaulig Racing owner Matt Kaulig wants the team to stand tall on its own, after marking two decades in the sport. Whispers of change have swirled, but the real story unfolds in a candid radio chat of the Kaulig Racing chief that lays bare the raw side of going solo.

Chris Rice’s honest take on independence from Richard Childress Racing

Kaulig Racing’s top executive Chris Rice didn’t hold back during a candid chat on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, going on to say, “I’m sure our engineers are wanting to happen faster than it’s happening, but it’s actually going along pretty quick. But we’re gonna have hurdles, man.  When you start your own program, you’re doing your own thing, you have hurdles and we know that, and we’re prepared for it, and we’re set up for it. So I’ll tell you this. I’m excited, but I’m also scared. I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m also nervous.”

Back then, Kaulig Racing utilized Richard Childress Racing’s expertise for tech support, which helped A. J. Allmendinger win two Cup victories and kept their No. 16 competitive. The breakup boils down to Kaulig’s big leap into the Craftsman Truck Series with RAM starting in 2026. Kaulig Racing will field five RAM trucks as Stellantis eyes a Cup return in 2027. As Kaulig Racing looks to run with RAM, its alliance with Chevy-powered RCR may complicate matters, forcing Kaulig to part ways with Richard Childress Racing.

“We still are business partners and a bunch of different other things that is not racing related… Just not under the competition side. So we still will use the ECR engines. They’ve been absolutely amazing to us for 10 years, going on 11 years,” Rice shared, highlighting the split’s nuance. No bad blood here with Richard Childress Racing folks, who “have been absolutely amazing,” he added.

🗣️ “We still are partners but just not under the competition side.”@KauligRacing CEO Chris Rice discussed his organization’s relationship with @RCRracing moving forward.

Full Hour → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/SPPjuC6AYq

— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 14, 2025

But going solo means building everything from scratch, like custom bodies and sim setups. It’s a grind, and engineers are itching for more speed. The obstacles are there, as the team decided to go solo without RCR. It stems from the need to rally the crew and fans amid the hype, showing vulnerability to build trust as they hire ‘left and right’ to put together a team “capable of standing on its own two feet,” Rice revealed.

He also added, “We’re gonna be out on our own in Cup. We’re not going to be able to alliance with RCR and do those things… So we [are] building our own Cup program, building our own bodies and different things like that.” These words paint a team at a crossroads, now betting on in-house grit after relying on Richard Childress Racing’s muscle for years.

Kaulig’s RAM tie and fresh facility signal they’re preparing for a long-term partnership, aiming to stand tall in 20 years as Kaulig once dreamed. That forward charge, though, stirs fresh rumors in the garage. With two truck seats still empty and big names circling, Rice’s latest hints are cranking up the off-season heat.

Rice’s nod to Stewart stirs truck seat frenzy

Kaulig will field a five-truck lineup in 2026, with drivers like Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley. But two spots remain wide open, which is certain to attract a silly season shuffle. Enter Tony Stewart, the three-time Cup champ who’s been dominating NHRA Top Fuel lanes since leaving NASCAR stock cars in 2016.

His Dodge ties through Stellantis make him a natural fit for Kaulig’s RAM program, and Rice’s subtle nod dropping on SiriusXM made rumors even stronger: “We do not have a contract with either one of those guys. Do we have conversations about those guys? Absolutely. Do we have conversations about everybody that drove a Dodge car? Absolutely.” It’s classic Rice’s style of downplaying buzz that often turns real, like the RAM deal or Queen’s signing.

This tease hits at a pivotal time, with the Truck Series eyeing Dodge’s revival and drivers like Casey Mears or Kasey Kahne also in the mix for those rides. Stewart’s no stranger to wildcards; his 2024 NHRA wins show he’s still got fire, and a truck stint could bridge his ownership days at Stewart-Haas back to the track.

Kaulig’s push for independence amps the drama; filling empty seats fast means opting for vets who have the skills already. Rice’s line keeps options alive without committing, mirroring how past “no’s” flipped to yeses in NASCAR’s rumor mill.