Kaulig Racing has named a group of accomplished crew chiefs to guide its five full-time teams in the upcoming Truck Series season, marking a major step in shaping the Kaulig Racing Truck Series lineup. While the final list of drivers has not been fully revealed, the team’s latest announcement lays out a foundation of both experience and fresh direction ahead of the Ram-backed campaign in 2026.
Experienced Crew Chiefs Poised to Lead Five Teams
Kaulig Racing is entering its first full season as a Ram factory team with a roster of five dedicated crew chiefs. These appointments showcase the organization’s commitment to both competitive excellence and nurturing racing talent as it prepares for a pivotal year.
The assigned pairings for the 2026 Kaulig Racing Truck Series lineup are as follows:
- No. 10 – Daniel Dye (driver) with Dan Stillman as crew chief
- No. 12 – Brenden Queen (driver) paired with Eddie Pardue
- No. 14 – To be piloted by the “Race for the Seat” winner, with Bruce Cook as crew chief
- No. 16 – Justin Haley (driver), guided by Mike Hillman Jr.
- No. 25 – An All-Star driver lineup beginning with Tony Stewart, headed by Alex Yontz
Profiles of the Crew Chiefs: Accomplishments and Backgrounds
Alex Yontz emerges as a pillar for the program, having joined Kaulig Racing in 2019. He has steered a range of drivers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, including AJ Allmendinger, Christian Eckes, Justin Haley, Ross Chastain, Daniel Hemric, and Kyle Larson. Yontz’s leadership has produced nine victories in NASCAR’s secondary series, with multiple wins recorded by Allmendinger and Haley, as well as one each from Larson and Chastain.
Veteran crew chief Eddie Pardue brings a versatile background, having led teams and drivers across all three major national NASCAR series. Notably, in 1998 Pardue worked with Elton Sawyer—now a senior vice president at NASCAR—and more recently managed the No. 11 team featuring Josh Williams, Brenden Queen, Michael McDowell, Daniel Hemric, Carson Hocevar, Justin Haley, and Will Brown.
Mike Hillman Jr. is a significant new addition, entering Kaulig Racing after previous success at Freedom Racing Enterprises, including work with former Talladega victor Spencer Boyd. Hillman boasts an impressive 23 victories in the Truck Series, alongside two championship wins with Todd Bodine.
Bruce Cook is a well-known name among followers of the Truck Series and operates Cook Racing Technologies, which fielded the No. 84 and No. 62 Toyotas last season. Cook’s truck crew chief career highlights include six victories—one with Clint Bowyer, three with Kevin Harvick, and two with Ron Hornaday Jr. from his time at KHI Racing.
Dan Stillman contributes decades of experience, having led Cup Series efforts in 1999 with Ricky Rudd and enjoyed several seasons overseeing Paul Menard in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Stillman’s record includes five wins in NASCAR’s secondary division, with one alongside Menard and four with Carl Edwards.
Kaulig Racing’s Vision for the 2026 Truck Series Season
This experienced group of crew chiefs brings together a blend of championship-winning expertise and fresh competitive energy, leading Kaulig Racing into a season that promises renewed ambition and technical strength. While some drivers remain unannounced, the presence of established names such as Tony Stewart and Justin Haley in the Kaulig Racing Truck Series lineup points to heightened anticipation and high expectations for the organization’s debut as the Ram factory team.
As the new season approaches, industry observers and fans are watching closely to see how the strategies and leadership of these crew chiefs translate into on-track results. The announcement reinforces Kaulig Racing’s intent to be a formidable force in the NASCAR Truck Series, with a structure built on proven success and a clear path for future growth.
