The hiatus is over, and the spark was unmistakable. On June 8, 2025, at Michigan International Speedway, Ram ended a 13-year absence by announcing a full-factory return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, complete with the unveiling of a snarling 1500 race-truck concept that hints at serious intent. The brand’s re-entry follows the Dodge/Ram departure after 2012, and arrives with Stellantis brass framing Trucks as the strategic beachhead for a wider motorsports comeback. NASCAR’s own announcement underscored the scope of a full 2026 campaign, while network coverage noted the timing, the showmanship, and the ambition behind the reveal. With Ram now back on the grid, the paddock’s next obsession became: who gets the keys?

Then came the whispers and wild-cards on shop whitewalls. In the weeks after MIS, rumors ricocheted through the garage: RFK Racing’s name surfaced thanks to legacy Dodge ties, and Kaulig Racing’s leadership publicly acknowledged “conversations” while downplaying any down deal. It was classic Silly Season intrigue, with equal parts sources reporting and message-board mythology, until one team began to separate from the fog. And by late August, the silhouette behind those rumor-mill shadows finally stepped into the lights.

Ram’s bold comeback finds a home in Kaulig Racing

Ram is officially set to roar back into NASCAR, announcing that Kaulig Racing will serve as the anchor factory team for its highly anticipated return to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. The Ohio-based team, founded by entrepreneur Matt Kaulig, will field up to five Ram 1500 trucks beginning at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026. For Kaulig, the partnership marks a defining milestone in his organization’s growth. “This partnership represents far more than a new chapter in Kaulig Racing’s history, it’s a union of shared values,” Kaulig told Fox News Digital. “Over the past decade, our team has built a legacy rooted in performance, integrity, and giving back to the community. To now join forces as the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR is both an honor and a responsibility. Together, we’re ready to set a new standard on race day and in the impact we make off the track.”

For Ram, the decision to align with Kaulig Racing was rooted in the team’s unconventional energy and willingness to take bold steps both on and off the track. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said the company needed a team that aligned with its brand identity and wasn’t afraid to break from the norm. Ty Norris, Kaulig Racing‘s Chief Business Officer, echoed that sentiment, crediting Kaulig’s nontraditional approach and relentless drive as the key factors behind the partnership. “When we met with Tim and Nate [Buelow] in Auburn Hills, Michigan, they told us not everyone is gonna want to market like we are and take on this responsibility,” Norris explained. “As they were looking at multiple teams, Kaulig Racing became the team that fit all the pieces. It had a lot to do with Matt, who, in relevant terms, is young. He clearly has the means, and he has the passion for the sport. He’s nontraditional, so I think that really got Tim excited because they’re going to do some nontraditional things in their marketing approach.”

Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass also noted, “Kaulig will do five trucks for Ram. I would expect them to obtain trucks from Spire (would just need to change nose and tail). Would expect Spire to still field couple trucks (Chevys).” While the announcement ends months of speculation about which team Ram would choose, it also ushers in a new level of responsibility for Kaulig Racing. Team president Chris Rice, who brings prior Truck Series experience, emphasized the organization’s collective mindset as it prepares for the challenge of running multiple trucks. “It boils down to people, and the way we do it at Kaulig Racing is we’re family,” Rice said. “Everybody works on everything. You’re not on a Cup team, you’re not on the Xfinity team. With this, you’re not just on the truck team, you’re on the Kaulig Racing team. The Kaulig way is tough because we are aggressive. You gotta believe it, you gotta eat it, you gotta breathe it, you gotta sleep it.”

Kaulig Racing’s designation as the exclusive Ram outfit cements the partnership’s significance, with all development and competition operations continuing from its established headquarters in Welcome, North Carolina. By keeping the shop rooted in the same community where the team has built its identity, Kaulig ensures continuity while ushering in a bold new era under the Ram banner. The facility is expected to serve as the central hub for engineering, performance upgrades, and future truck development, giving Ram a focused foundation to mount a serious championship challenge.

With Ram’s faith in Kaulig Racing, the 2026 Truck Series is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in years. Fans will soon witness whether this exclusive alliance can deliver the dominance both sides are envisioning.

Truck Series breaks tradition with street race debut in 2026

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is set to shatter tradition with its first-ever street race on February 28, 2026, joining the prestigious Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend. It is a seismic move for a series long defined by short tracks and speedways, now shifting into the spotlight of a world-class motorsport festival.

The history books remind us that NASCAR has never been afraid to experiment. When the Truck Series debuted in 1995, its first schedule mixed ovals and road courses, including a groundbreaking event at Heartland Park Topeka. Fast forward three decades, and NASCAR is once again leaning into that same pioneering spirit, only this time, with a 1.8-mile downtown street circuit at stake. As NASCAR Senior VP Ben Kennedy put it, “The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is one of the most prestigious street races in motorsports, and we’re excited to bring the high-octane action of the Truck Series to such an iconic venue.”

The partnership with Penske Entertainment signals more than just calendar innovation; it is a strategic crossover moment. “This is a fantastic addition to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding race weekend,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment’s President and CEO. With Fox Sports set to broadcast both series, fans can expect the same buzz that past combined IndyCar-NASCAR weekends once delivered, drawing well over 100,000 spectators.