Kaulig Racing is planning significant changes to its NASCAR operations in 2026, aiming for a notable Kaulig Racing NASCAR Truck Series expansion while scaling back its presence in the Xfinity Series. Sources indicate that this shift will coincide with a new partnership with Ram Trucks and could see rookie Daniel Dye moving into the Truck Series.
Strategic Shifts in Kaulig Racing‘s NASCAR Participation
Current rumors suggest that Kaulig Racing, under the ownership of Matt Kaulig and guided by principal Chris Rice, intends to put more resources into a Truck Series launch, likely at the cost of reducing its Xfinity Series lineup. Presently, the team runs two full-time cars and one part-time car in the Cup Series, and three full-time entries in the Xfinity Series. However, it has yet to compete in the Truck Series.
Recent reports state that Kaulig’s collaboration with Ram Trucks, which marks Ram’s return to NASCAR after a 14-year hiatus, may lead to a dedicated Truck Series program by 2026. Daniel Dye, currently an Xfinity Series rookie, has been rumored as a leading candidate to transition with the team to this new effort. If implemented, Kaulig Racing’s structure would shift to two full-time and one part-time Cup Series cars, two full-time in Xfinity, and one entry in the Truck Series.
Uncertainty Remains on Entry Details and Team Lineup
Details about the nature of the new Truck Series entry remain unclear. Activity on forums such as Reddit and Instagram has provided speculation, but has not clarified whether Kaulig Racing will field a full-time or part-time vehicle in the series. The final decision is expected to come after the close of the 2025 NASCAR season, leaving fans and observers waiting to see how Matt Kaulig directs his organization’s new focus.
Kaulig Racing, based in Welcome, North Carolina, first entered the NASCAR scene in 2016. It has maintained a partnership with Chevrolet and has fielded a range of talented drivers. Ty Dillon, AJ Allmendinger, and Will Brown currently drive for the team in the Cup Series, while Daniel Dye, Josh Williams, Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, Will Brown, and Christian Eckes compete in the Xfinity Series.
Ram Trucks Returns to NASCAR with Kaulig Partnership
The partnership with Ram is particularly significant because Ram Trucks, now a part of Stellantis North America, left NASCAR in 2012 when it was still branded as Dodge Ram. The return aligns with Kaulig Racing’s ambitions to compete in all three main NASCAR divisions. Speaking about the partnership and his team‘s approach to the new series, Matt Kaulig said:
“I know Ram doesn’t do anything small, as you can see by the dealerships and everything else, and I know at Kaulig Racing, we don’t do anything small. So when we’re going into the truck series, we’re not going to kind of silently come in or just kind of tiptoe our way in. We’re doing it big.” —Matt Kaulig, Owner, Kaulig Racing
Ram Trucks, which was founded in 2009 from the Dodge brand, is aiming to reestablish its NASCAR presence after more than a decade’s absence from the sport. The company previously found success under the Dodge badge and now seeks to make a notable return alongside a growing organization like Kaulig Racing.
Potential Impact on NASCAR’s Team Landscape
This development signals a notable shift in Kaulig Racing’s priorities, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in both the Xfinity and Truck Series. The decision to downsize the Xfinity program reflects a strategic move to target growth in what could be an increasingly competitive Truck Series field in 2026. The involvement of industry names such as Daniel Dye, Justin Haley, Ty Dillon, and Josh Williams ensures the team‘s ongoing relevance and highlights the evolving nature of entry-level and mid-tier NASCAR races. As 2025 draws to a close, many in the NASCAR community will watch closely for the team’s formal entry decisions and the impact of its expanded collaboration with Ram Trucks.
