Kaulig Racing’s Ram 1500 made an impressive entrance at the St. Pete street circuit, achieving a top-10 finish in its debut despite minimal preparation. The team’s entry into the competitive field marked a significant step, with Colin Braun and Justin Haley showing grit through changing conditions and tough competition, highlighting the determination and growth of the team and showcasing the Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 on this new stage.
Colin Braun Reflects on the Team’s Progress
Colin Braun played a vital role in the team’s early success and acknowledged the work that went into preparing the truck for this race. Braun and the team had limited expectations given their starting point and lack of testing, but managed to secure an encouraging result during a weekend full of variables and powerful competitors.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity with Kaulig Racing and Ram. They’ve been working really hard. It’s no secret that we weren’t the fastest, but this team is starting from ground zero, so to be able to build and get a good result is big. I learned a lot, and I think as a team, we learned what we needed to. I didn’t know what to expect going into this weekend. The other OEMs did a great job and were able to prep their guys a good bit. I feel like if we had some practice it may have been quite a game changer for me, but we started off on the back foot and were just behind from the drop of the green. Considering what we had yesterday, I’m pretty pleased with a top-10 finish.”
— Colin Braun, Driver
Justin Haley Battles Adversity on Race Day
Justin Haley piloted the No. 16 Celsius Ram 1500 through a challenging weekend, contending with unpredictability and little preparation time. The team faced some early setbacks, including a spin, but strategic decisions and the expertise of crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. helped them regain ground, highlighting the value of teamwork and adaptability in racing.
“Overall, not a bad finish for this No. 16 Celsius Ram 1500 team. I didn’t know what to expect heading into the weekend. With hardly any practice, there were a ton of unknowns, but I could tell I would have some difficulties with braking during the race. We got spun early on and had to fight back to get the free pass position. Thankfully, Mike [Hillman Jr.] made some great adjustments on pit road. We were able to learn quite a bit, kept pushing and almost got a top 10 out of it. I’m looking forward to heading to Darlington next, one of my favorite tracks.”
— Justin Haley, Driver
Looking Ahead After a Memorable Weekend
The Kaulig Racing Ram 1500’s performance at St. Pete demonstrates notable progress for a team building from the ground up. By learning from battles against established competitors like Ford and overcoming race-day challenges, Kaulig Racing has set a solid foundation for future success. The next stop at Darlington offers a new test, and with the lessons learned—both with Braun and Haley—the team looks poised to continue growing its presence in the NASCAR Truck Series. The spirited debut highlights the determined mindset of the drivers, the importance of preparation, and the significance of teamwork when establishing a new contender in a highly competitive racing environment.
