Kaulig Racing’s Ram 1500 program continued its development with a determined performance at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta on Saturday, securing a top-10 result in the FR8 208 during the early phase of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season. On a day defined as much by learning opportunities as by speed, the team proved its progress by bringing all five trucks to the finish and collecting key data in the process—an essential step for a new entry on the circuit.
The Ram trucks didn’t begin the weekend as front-runners, but the event provided much-needed experience. Despite an hour-long rain delay that pushed the start back and ultimately forced NASCAR to shorten the race by 10 laps to accommodate scheduling, Kaulig Racing methodically worked through the event, gathering clean laps on the high-speed 1.5-mile oval famous for its draft-based racing. With the first two stages running without cautions and fewer restarts than usual, teams found strategic chances limited and adaptability became paramount for those not holding early track position.
Justin Haley Secures Top-10, Paces the Ram Effort
Justin Haley emerged as the leading force for the Ram side, steering his No. 16 Ram 1500 to a 10th-place finish after starting outside the top-25—a significant gain on a track where aerodynamics and momentum are critical. Haley improved steadily throughout the day, moving from 16th in Stage 1 to 14th in Stage 2, and holding his ground in the closing laps to secure a spot inside the top-10 at the checkered flag. His drive demonstrated the value of incremental progress and the benefit of each lap completed for the evolving Ram program.
In explaining his perspective on the race, Haley remarked,
“It was good to get a top 10 on the first 1.5-mile track for Ram. As we expected, we have a lot of things to work on. We were pretty decent for our first try, and I think we learned a lot of things across all of our teams. We will keep working on it and try to be better in St. Petersburg and Darlington.”
— Justin Haley, Driver. With this mindset, the team continues to embrace the challenges of early development, prioritizing long-term learning over instant results.
Ty Dillon’s Rollercoaster “Free Agent” Experience
Ty Dillon, joining as the team’s second Free Agent driver of the year, delivered an 11th-place result in the No. 25 Ram 1500. His eventful day included having to recover from setbacks twice, each time fighting back through the field after unscheduled trips to the rear. Despite mistakes and minor mechanical issues, Dillon managed to bring his truck home near the top-10, reflecting resilience and value in contributing to the team’s ongoing learning process.
Dillon provided a candid summary of his performance:
“It was just an up and down day and a little bit of learning about what these trucks need. I felt like our truck wasn’t bad, from the start, we were pretty balanced. We were just kind of fighting against getting back up into the clean air. I made a mistake getting a little short in our box and put it to the back and we had a fender brace or a spoiler brace pop off and had to fix that too, so it kept putting us to the back. With the race shortened, it just didn’t give us any time to go and really get to where we needed to be. But we finished on a strong note and really proud of the effort. Grateful for the opportunity and had a lot of fun out there today.”
— Ty Dillon, Free Agent Driver. For a driver on a one-week deal, maximizing feedback for engineers and finishing well despite adversity proved a solid contribution for the Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 program.
Daniel Dye Breaks into the Top-10 During Late Race Charge
Daniel Dye piloted the No. 10 MOPAR Ram 1500 to a 13th-place finish. Dye’s day was marked by ups and downs: early on, he struggled with a loose-handling truck but made headway as the race unfolded. About 35 laps from the finish, he briefly put himself and his Ram inside the top-10, finding effective pace on the lower groove of the track. His ability to adapt as the race progressed demonstrated the team’s capability to respond to changing conditions and collect constructive feedback for future events.
Dye assessed the day’s efforts by saying,
“It was nice to run in the top 10 for a minute today. Our No. 10 MOPAR Ram was much better on the bottom of the track. We definitely have some work to do once we get back to the shop and obviously, we will get better once we spend some time on the simulator. But generally we are OK with how our day went.”
— Daniel Dye, Driver. The comment underlines the team’s realistic but optimistic approach as the Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 program continues its evolution.
Younger Talents Queen and Tyrrell Log Crucial Experience
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen had a consistent outing, finishing 16th after fighting in the heart of the pack for much of the race. A well-executed pit stop positioned him 13th for the final segment, though the shortened distance left little opportunity for further gains in the closing laps. Nonetheless, Queen’s steady drive and valuable laps contributed to both his and the team’s learning curve.
Fin “Mini” Tyrrell, making just his second start at the challenging Atlanta oval, drove the No. 14 Ram to 19th place. Early handling issues cost him a lap by the end of Stage 1, and the lack of caution periods combined with an early finish meant there was insufficient time to recover further. Still, his perseverance in a demanding environment reinforced the importance of seat time for the Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 program’s future ambitions.
Ram Drivers Establish Early Season Points Presence
The current points standings after Atlanta showcase the team’s early progress. Brenden Queen sits sixth overall with 53 points, setting a strong foundation for Ram in the championship chase. Meanwhile, Daniel Dye is twelfth with 44 points, Justin Haley is one position back with 42 points, and Mini Tyrrell holds fifteenth place at 36 points. These results build momentum and justify Kaulig Racing’s methodical, data-driven approach in the fledgling Ram 1500 program. At the head of the standings, Chandler Smith leads with 103 points, providing a target for the others as the season continues.
Looking Ahead: St. Petersburg Awaits, Colin Braun Set to Join
Next on the schedule, the Truck Series heads to St. Petersburg, Florida, for its first-ever street course race—a race that will demand precision, strategic braking, and adaptability to new challenges. Kaulig Racing and Ram have already announced Colin Braun will compete in the No. 25 as the team’s third Free Agent entrant this season, a move designed to further expand the pool of feedback and accelerate the program’s learning curve.
Atlanta demonstrated that the Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 program’s priorities are rooted in steady progress and long-term competitiveness. Rather than immediate breakthrough victories, the team is focused on amassing data, building teamwork, and turning incremental gains into a future competitive edge. Every lap completed and every issue resolved brings the group closer to establishing itself as a true contender in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, with an eye on stronger results at St. Petersburg and beyond.
