Kaulig Racing is ending its long technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing after years of collaborative efforts in NASCAR, a shift confirmed by CEO Chris Rice as the team prepares to move forward independently beginning in 2026. This transformation—including the launch of its RAM-supported trucks—marks a fundamental change in Kaulig’s approach and signals a new era for the organization’s operations within the sport, with the Richard Childress Racing alliance now coming to an end.
Kaulig Racing’s Journey and Key Relationships
Since its NASCAR debut in 2016, Kaulig Racing steadily developed a close alliance with Richard Childress Racing, operating a dedicated facility on the RCR campus in Welcome, North Carolina. Over the years, the organization functioned under the Chevrolet brand, which included participating in the ECR Engines program—an arrangement central to its competitive progress and resource sharing. The connection with notable names such as Richard Childress and collaboration with respected engineers significantly contributed to Kaulig Racing’s climb in NASCAR’s competitive ranks.
Dodge’s Return and New Strategic Direction
With Dodge (RAM) announcing an official return to the Craftsman Truck Series, Kaulig Racing intends to field five RAM-supported trucks for the 2026 season. This move not only ends a period of Chevrolet affiliation for its truck program but also occasions a split in the team’s operational structure. The organization’s parent company, Stellantis, does not have a presence in the Cup or Xfinity Series, making the Truck Series entry a notable turning point. This transition led to growing speculation about Kaulig’s future, which intensified as the team unveiled dedicated social media accounts for its RAM trucks, separating new ventures from its established Chevrolet operations.
Confirmation of Independence by Leadership
In an October 2025 appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, CEO Chris Rice spoke openly about the impending changes. He highlighted that while the Richard Childress Racing alliance was instrumental in Kaulig’s growth, operating alone now aligns with the team’s future objectives. Rice affirmed,
“Everybody that’s ever worked at Richard Childress has been absolutely amazing to us, and we still are business partners in a bunch of different other things that is not racing related. So we still are partners, but just not under the competition side.”
—Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
Ongoing Business Partnerships Beyond Competition
While the competitive bond between Kaulig Racing and Richard Childress Racing is officially ending, their broader business partnership continues in other areas. The team will still access ECR engines through a supplier agreement. However, all technical information, data acquisition, and car development tasks now rest solely with Kaulig Racing. Rice delineated this dynamic:
“We still will use the ECR engines. They still are going to be our engine supplier, and also we’re going to do a lot of other business stuff with Richard, and it’s what that means is we have to hang our own bodies, we have to get our own information. We’re not going to have information from those guys; we gotta go out and get it ourselves. We gotta have our own sim.”
—Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
He reiterated the change in the relationship:
“We still are partners but just not under the competition side.”
—Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
Facing Challenges and Looking to the Future
Embarking on full independence brings new logistical and operational hurdles as Kaulig Racing must now develop vehicles, gather performance data, and manage simulation tasks autonomously. Rice noted that his engineers are enthusiastic about this evolution and while the shift is happening quickly, everyone acknowledges the enormity of what lies ahead. The organization’s confidence is guided by the practical expertise of its engineers and ongoing business relationships with former partners such as Richard Childress and ECR.
This development is a significant milestone in NASCAR, reshaping established alliances and potentially influencing team strategies, resource distribution, and competitiveness. As Kaulig Racing ventures independently, the sport’s landscape may experience further changes, especially with new manufacturer involvement and the departure of a familiar Richard Childress Racing alliance. Fans and insiders will watch closely as Kaulig takes on these fresh challenges, both on and off the track, ushering in a new era of competition.
🗣️ "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
