Ty Dillon is set to make his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Atlanta, stepping into Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 as part of the Ram Free Agent program. This appearance marks another chapter for Dillon, who brings significant experience to the Ty Dillon Atlanta Truck Series lineup during the upcoming race at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, February 21.
Ram Free Agent Program Makes an Impactful Return
The Ram Free Agent program, which made its comeback to NASCAR after a 13-year break, debuted at Daytona earlier this week featuring Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, behind the wheel of the No. 25 Ram 1500. The initiative showcases a mixture of seasoned legends, emerging stars, and free agents through the 2026 season, with each event introducing a new driver for fans to follow in Ram’s racing efforts. Drivers for future races are set to be announced during preceding truck races, keeping anticipation high among fans.
Dillon Steps In Following Stewart’s Opening Run
Following Tony Stewart’s opening stint, Ty Dillon is poised to take over the No. 25 truck. Speaking about the legacy before him, Dillon commented,
“Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, taking over from Tony, but I’ll do my best,”
— Ty Dillon, Driver. Dillon, who races full-time as Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 pilot in the NASCAR Cup Series, will also compete in Sunday’s Daytona 500, making this a busy week on the track.
Dillon’s Prior Success and Ambitions for Atlanta
With Atlanta on the horizon, Dillon is setting his sights on victory, stating,
“Atlanta in a truck should be a blast, and we go there with every intention of visiting victory lane. We’ve won the truck race in Atlanta (2012) before, and we would love to win it again.”
— Ty Dillon, Driver. Dillon has a proven track record that includes three Truck Series wins: Atlanta in 2012, Kentucky, and Texas in 2013. Additionally, he added an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014, reinforcing his status as a favorite at this weekend’s event.
Kaulig’s Expanded Effort and Star-Studded Lineup
Kaulig Racing’s commitment to the Truck Series continues to grow, with five Ram trucks running full-time in 2026. Alongside Ty Dillon, the team features Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye, Justin Haley, and Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell, who recently secured his seat after triumphing in Ram’s Race for the Seat competition, which wrapped up its televised final on FS1. This roster underscores Kaulig’s focus on both seasoned performers and promising young drivers.
Race Day Details and Looking Ahead
The Atlanta Truck Series race will be broadcast by FS1 with a scheduled start at 1:30 p.m. ET. As Ram’s Free Agent program continues to bring in new faces, the dynamic between veteran skill and up-and-coming talent is set to make for an engaging season, with each race introducing new storylines and potential for dramatic finishes. The arrival of Ty Dillon—veteran, former Atlanta winner, and a fan favorite—promises heightened excitement as the series heads to Georgia’s storied oval.
