Kaulig Racing has announced a landmark deal with RAM Trucks to bring Dodge back to NASCAR for the 2026 season, marking a return after over a decade away. The Kaulig Racing RAM NASCAR partnership followed a determined, multi-year effort, culminating in five trucks under Kaulig’s banner and a significant shift in the team’s operations.
Behind the Scenes of the RAM Partnership Negotiations
Despite the public’s belief that Dodge’s return, via its RAM Trucks division, was born from recent developments in the 2025 NASCAR season, the reality tells a much longer story. Chris Rice, recently appointed CEO of Kaulig Racing, shared that the process to secure the RAM partnership spanned nearly three years and required consistent effort from both companies.
Speaking on Kenny Wallace’s YouTube channel, Chris Rice disclosed that discussions began about two and a half years ago as rumors swirled in the NASCAR paddock about new Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) considering entry. Among the names being considered was Honda, which was a major candidate at the time. Rice leveraged an insider during these initial talks to help navigate potential negotiations.
However, the opportunity with Dodge emerged unexpectedly when Kaulig caught wind of their interest in a NASCAR comeback. Although they lacked connections within Dodge’s circles, a key unnamed individual ultimately opened the door, allowing Kaulig Racing a chance to make its case directly to RAM decision-makers.
Building Trust and Securing the Agreement
Once the initial connection was established, Chris Rice and his team approached the negotiations with transparency and authenticity. The group emphasized honesty in their discussions, not shying away from the realities or challenges of a possible partnership. In fact, RAM’s executives had been quietly assessing Kaulig Racing’s performance and reputation over the previous two years.
“What we didn’t know was obviously they’re doing their due diligence. They’re looking at us over the last two years. They’re watching us.”
– Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing
The pivotal meeting, which lasted about four hours, ended with an immediate request for operational cost details from the Kaulig team. Rice expected to provide a quote for three trucks the following morning. Four months after submitting their proposal, Kaulig Racing received the long-awaited news that RAM had selected them to spearhead the manufacturer’s return to NASCAR for the upcoming 2026 campaign.
Expanding Kaulig’s Presence with Five RAM Truck Entries
The final agreement between RAM and Kaulig Racing surpassed initial expectations. Rather than fielding three trucks, RAM decided to commit to five truck entries for the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season. The deal includes full-time drives for Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley, who will race three of the trucks throughout the entire season.
One truck will serve as a rotating “free agent” entry, with the team naming the driver each week ahead of every event, injecting a dynamic element into Kaulig’s lineup. For the fifth seat, Kaulig Racing is anticipated to utilize Conner Jones, whose experience in both the ARCA and Truck Series has prepared him for this expanded opportunity.
Reshaping the Team to Meet New Demands
To support this bold commitment, Kaulig Racing will discontinue its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (previously the Xfinity Series) operations, freeing up resources to focus entirely on the RAM partnership. This substantial restructuring demonstrates how significant the Kaulig Racing RAM NASCAR partnership is for both parties and how seriously Kaulig takes the opportunity to lead Dodge’s return to NASCAR.
The outcome of these efforts could reshape the landscape for both Kaulig Racing and RAM, placing them at the forefront of NASCAR competition when the manufacturer rejoins the field in 2026. The anticipation for this partnership extends beyond the two organizations, as fans and competitors alike await the impact of RAM’s comeback with Kaulig Racing at the helm.
