The 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season saw a major milestone as Ram returned to the circuit after years away, thanks in part to the involvement of UFC CEO Dana White. The much-anticipated NASCAR Truck Series Ram Return was discussed during the Fresh From Florida 250 broadcast, where White elaborated on how his partnership helped facilitate Ram’s comeback to the sport.
Dana White Plays a Key Role in Ram’s Comeback
During the Friday night FS1 broadcast, Dana White joined Jamie Little, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano to shed light on his influential part in bringing Ram back to the Truck Series. White explained how Tim Kuniskis, Ram’s CEO, initially reached out to him, seeking his expertise and enthusiasm for the challenge.
“Ram, the CEO, Tim [Kuniskis] reached out to me and came out to Las Vegas and talked to me about helping them bring Ram back to NASCAR,”
Dana White, UFC CEO
He recounted how impressed Kuniskis was with his business background, and how White welcomed the new challenge, attending Daytona for the first time with a strong personal stake in the outcome.
“He liked a lot of the stuff that we’ve done in building our business. I love challenges, so I decided to do it and here I am at my first Daytona, and I actually have some skin in the game and care who wins the race.”
Dana White, UFC CEO
Historic Moments for Ram and Kaulig Racing
Ram previously competed in the Truck Series since its inaugural year in 1995, securing its first championship in 2004 with driver Bobby Hamilton. However, the brand exited in 2013 before making its 2026 return by joining forces with Kaulig Racing. For the current season, five Ram trucks are fielded in partnership with the Kaulig-Ram team.
Dana White extended his involvement by serving as executive producer and providing commentary for “Race for the Seat,” a documentary series following the competition for a full-time Kaulig-Ram Truck Series seat. The show featured input from Tim Kuniskis and Kaulig Racing’s Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice, airing on FOX networks and related outlets.
Meet the 2026 Kaulig-Ram Drivers
Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell emerged as the winning driver from the televised contest, earning the role of full-time Kaulig-Ram team member for the 2026 season and finishing 19th at the Fresh From Florida 250. Additionally, Brenden Queen, Justin Haley, and Daniel Dye complete the main roster for the Kaulig-Ram effort, with a rotating group of drivers taking on the fifth truck spot.
An Exciting Start to the Truck Series Season
The Fresh From Florida 250 provided racing fans with a thrilling start, as the final laps saw multiple lead changes. Chandler Smith made a last-second move through the inside lane to capture first place and secure the win, while Giovanni Ruggiero and Christian Eckes claimed second and third respectively.
Major NASCAR Events Continue at Daytona
Following the Truck Series excitement, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season gets underway with the United Rentals 300. The racing weekend at Daytona culminates with the Daytona 500, one of the sport’s premiere events, broadcast on FOX and the FOX Sports app. Fans can tune in to NASCAR RaceDay ahead of the race for additional coverage and expert commentary.
The return of Ram to the Truck Series, energized by leaders like Dana White and Kaulig Racing, brings fresh excitement to the series and highlights the role of partnerships in shaping the future of NASCAR competition.
