Kaulig Racing confirmed its first-ever entry into the NASCAR Truck Series by announcing a significant five-Ram truck campaign launching in 2026, marking the manufacturer’s highly anticipated return to the series. This major initiative, which centers on the Kaulig Racing NASCAR Truck Series entry, was revealed at a Daytona press event and lays out bold ambitions for the team in partnership with Ram and support from Stellantis.
Kaulig Racing Promotes Ambitious Partnership with Ram
In a press conference held at the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram dealership located in the Auto Mall, Kaulig Racing revealed its plans to field five Ram trucks upon Ram’s comeback to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026. This collaboration positions Kaulig as Ram’s anchor factory team for what is widely seen as a substantial manufacturer return.
Team owner and founder Matt Kaulig expressed his excitement about steering the team in this new direction:
“I have never been more excited or more enthusiastic to make any kind of announcement actually in my life,”
—Matt Kaulig, Team Owner & Founder
He continued to note his extensive business experience and heightened enthusiasm for this strategic endeavor.
Nate Buelow, director of marketing for Ram Trucks, reinforced the importance of this partnership, stating:
“Everybody saw that Ram announced at Michigan a couple months ago that they’re coming back to NASCAR in the Truck Series, and I want to announce that we at Kaulig Racing are going to the Truck Series, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.”
—Nate Buelow, Director of Marketing for Ram Trucks
Scaling Up Operations for 2026 Season
Kaulig Racing faces a considerable expansion in order to deliver on its commitment to fielding five entries for the full 2026 season. According to team president Chris Rice, the organization will require at least 50 new hires to support the campaign and ensure operational readiness. This move represents a significant increase in staff and infrastructure to handle the unprecedented effort for the team.
Adapting to a New Series and Multiple Manufacturers
While Kaulig Racing is long established in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series running Chevrolets, it has no prior experience in the Truck Series. Chris Rice acknowledged the need for a clear separation between the two OEM operations:
“We have never been in the Truck Series,”
—Chris Rice, Team President
He stressed that the Truck Series entry is a completely distinct business initiative for Kaulig, including having dedicated social media channels and day-to-day management apart from its Chevrolet programs. Rice elaborated on the organizational dynamics:
“So, it’s a total separate deal. We’re very fortunate for what we’ve had over 10 years with Chevrolet, and it’s totally separate. Every OEM, I think, wants more OEMs in the sport. I don’t want to speak for NASCAR, but I think it’s healthy for the sport to have Ram come back.”
—Chris Rice, Team President
Kaulig Racing will operate its Truck Series effort from its existing facility on the Richard Childress Racing campus in Welcome, North Carolina. The technical alliance with Childress continues for its Chevrolet cars, reinforcing the structural need for independence between manufacturer programs. Driver lineups for the five-truck roster have not yet been announced, but the commitment to a full-season campaign is clear.
Ram’s Strategic Commitment and Sponsorship Model
Despite the expense and scope of fielding multiple teams, Ram’s leadership has signaled unwavering support for the Kaulig campaign. Nate Buelow addressed the approach to sponsorship and the backing that Kaulig Racing can expect:
“We’re still working through all the sponsorship pieces… but Kaulig has a backstop with us that we’re not letting them hang on anything,”
—Nate Buelow, Director of Marketing for Ram Trucks
Buelow outlined Ram’s strategy of seeking additional partners that align with their marketing priorities while maintaining a foundational commitment to Kaulig’s success:
“So, we’re there to support them, although we are looking for key partners that we can bring in that will help us from a marketing perspective.”
—Nate Buelow, Director of Marketing for Ram Trucks
Future Possibilities for OEM Expansion
The announcement of Ram’s return to the NASCAR Truck Series at Michigan earlier this year came with mentions of longer-term goals for Stellantis, Ram’s parent company. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis raised the possibility that this project could pave the way for Dodge’s eventual reappearance in the NASCAR Cup Series. On this front, Buelow remarked on progress and focus:
“Everybody wants to be in Cup, right?”
—Nate Buelow, Director of Marketing for Ram Trucks
Buelow remained measured, noting that the team is currently prioritizing its Truck Series debut and the logistics of fielding five competitive teams for their Daytona launch. Looking ahead, he commented:
“That’s what we’re focused in on right now. Cup will come once we stand up the rest of this machine and we figure it all out.”
—Nate Buelow, Director of Marketing for Ram Trucks
What This Means for NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
The Kaulig Racing NASCAR Truck Series entry with Ram signals a substantial shift for the manufacturer and the sport, potentially igniting further OEM competition in NASCAR, while strengthening Kaulig’s presence as a key player. The organization’s willingness to grow rapidly, manage multi-OEM operations, and lead Ram’s charge is indicative of the broader aspirations at work, involving names like Chris Rice, Matt Kaulig, and corporate backers from Stellantis and Ram Trucks. As preparations continue and additional details—including driver hires and sponsorship deals—are finalized, both Kaulig Racing and NASCAR look set for an era of renewed rivalry and top-tier Truck Series competition starting in 2026.
