Ram Trucks is set to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026 and is considering an unconventional approach for selecting its drivers: the launch of a NASCAR driver reality TV show 2026, possibly under the guidance of UFC’s Dana White. This bold move could see the selection process for Ram’s new team unfold on national television, just ahead of their comeback at Daytona next season.
Ram Trucks, which is part of Stellantis, has announced its high-profile resurgence in NASCAR by targeting the 2026 season for reentry into the Truck Series. As the company aims to field as many as four to six trucks at Daytona in their debut, the specifics of who will drive for the team remain undecided. To generate excitement and seek fresh talent, Ram is reportedly taking inspiration from past motorsport reality competitions to shape their own driver selection process.
Ram’s Planned Reality Series and Possible Collaborators
A report from Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal revealed that Ram Trucks is working on a motorsport-focused reality television project, reminiscent of past series like Roush Racing: Driver X, also known as The Gong Show. This prior format allowed up-and-coming racers to showcase their abilities for a coveted seat in a major NASCAR organization.
Sources state that Dana White, known for his work with UFC and television genres blending competition and sports, could be an influential figure in this new reality series. In addition, Craig Pilligian, executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter, is mentioned alongside White as a potential contributor to the project. When pressed for details, White responded, “it is very possible.” —Dana White, UFC President
The success of this approach could provide Ram with a unique way to build out its new Truck Series teams and engage audiences both in NASCAR and the broader sports entertainment world.
How Past Reality Show Tryouts Influenced Modern Driver Recruitment
Previous efforts to select NASCAR drivers via reality television, such as Roush Racing’s contests, yielded mixed results but brought attention to the developmental path into big-league motorsports. Contestants in these reality-based tryouts included Justin Allgaier, who would go on to become an Xfinity Series champion, Matt McCall, who is now the Director of Vehicle Performance at Spire Motorsports, Bubba Pollard, a recognized figure in Super Late Model racing, and David Ragan, who had the most successful transition from reality TV participant to regular Cup Series competitor.
While not all drivers chosen through these auditions reached the highest echelons of NASCAR, several carved out meaningful careers in the sport, underlining the value such programs brought to talent identification.
Lessons from The Gong Show’s Impactful Alumni
Jack Roush organized The Gong Show tryout for up-and-coming drivers prior to Ram’s new project. Despite some televised setbacks, the program led to significant success stories. Notably, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards emerged victorious and forged championship-caliber racing careers. Scott Riggs, who finished as the runner-up in 2000, also built a name for himself within the sport. These cases highlight the potential that structured tryouts can have if paired with effective driver development systems.
However, the talent pipeline has changed dramatically in recent years. While such reality competitions provided a launching point decades ago, current development programs operated by Chevy, Ford, and Toyota are now highly structured and competitive, making driver discovery much more complex than in prior eras.
Ram’s Talent Search Faces a Changing Driver Development Landscape
As Ram pursues its search for new NASCAR talent, the surrounding environment has shifted. Cup Series teams are increasingly prioritizing younger drivers, with some prospects looking to break through while still in their teens. The upcoming Ram reality show could very well feature drivers as young as 16 or 17 vying for spots alongside seasoned competitors in their late 20s or early 30s. This mix of youth and experience, all competing for national attention and career-defining opportunities, adds an intense dynamic to the potential series.
With Ram poised to make headlines by putting its selection process in the spotlight, industry insiders and fans alike are curious to see how the experiment will modernize NASCAR’s approach to driver scouting. As Stellantis readies to bring additional brands like Dodge back to the Cup Series in the following years, the impact of this TV experiment could ripple throughout the racing world, influencing future team-building strategies and audience engagement across motorsports.
