Ram Returns To NASCAR With Kaulig Racing In 2026

For more than a decade, Ram’s badge has been absent from the NASCAR grid, a void in the brand’s otherwise storied history with American motorsport. That changes in 2026. Ram announced it will make its long-anticipated return to NASCAR, and when the green flag waves at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026, it will be Kaulig Racing carrying the factory banner.

The announcement ends 14 years of absence from NASCAR for Ram, whose last factory-supported effort concluded in 2012. This time, the comeback comes with ambition: Kaulig Racing is set to field up to five Ram 1500 trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Kaulig Racing: The Right Partner

Kaulig Racing may be young by NASCAR standards, but in just ten seasons it has built a reputation as one of the sport’s fastest-rising teams. Founded by Ohio entrepreneur and philanthropist Matt Kaulig, the organization has scored 29 victories across NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series since its first full season in 2016. But as Kaulig himself explains, this deal is about more than wins.

“This partnership represents far more than a new chapter in Kaulig Racing’s history, it’s a union of shared values,” said Kaulig. “Our team has built a legacy rooted in performance, integrity and giving back to the community. To now join forces as the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR is both an honor and a responsibility.”

That focus on shared culture is central to the Ram brand as well. Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram, described the collaboration as a meeting of philosophies: “We needed a partner that truly aligns with the Ram brand and embraces our unconventional approach to NASCAR. With Kaulig Racing, we found the perfect synergy to drive our ‘Last Tenth’ culture forward.”

The comeback wasn’t revealed quietly. At Michigan International Speedway, fans watched as a Ram 5500 rolled into the infield, towing a one-off concept truck built just for the occasion. Its purpose: to spin smoky donuts in front of the crowd, a thunderous statement that Ram was back and ready to play by its own rules.

It’s a page out of NASCAR’s past, when automakers regularly used big announcements to flex personality and intent. The message was clear: Ram intends to do more than just show up.

Building Toward Daytona

For Kaulig Racing, the announcement represents another step in its rapid climb. The team already competes in NASCAR’s two highest tiers, with multiple Cup Series wins and Xfinity Series playoff berths to its name. Now, it expands into trucks with the full weight of a factory behind it.

Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice acknowledged the magnitude of the moment. “We are proud of what the men and women of Kaulig Racing have accomplished over the past decade. Special thanks to Ty Norris for his dedication to Kaulig Racing and helping get us to the next level.”

The team has not yet announced its driver roster for the Truck Series debut, but the paddock is already buzzing with speculation. Kaulig’s existing Cup and Xfinity connections, combined with Ram’s resources, open the door to a mix of seasoned veterans and young prospects looking to make their mark.

Ram’s return is not simply symbolic. In NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, factory support can tilt the balance between mid-pack and championship contention. With engineering knowledge drawn from the Ram 1500 road-going truck and Kaulig’s proven infrastructure, the 2026 campaign will mark the start of what could become a new legacy.

For NASCAR fans, it also revives memories of the Dodge Ram’s previous victories in the Truck Series and beyond. From 1995 to 2012, Dodge and Ram-backed teams scored wins at tracks across the schedule, with names like Bobby Hamilton and Ted Musgrave hoisting trophies in Ram pickups. Now, the badge returns, promising to reestablish that heritage in a new era.

A Legacy Reborn

The first official outing for the Kaulig-Ram partnership will be at the 2026 season opener: the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona. Under the lights of the high banks, Kaulig’s fleet of Ram 1500 trucks will take the green flag in front of a primetime audience on Fox Sports 1, MRN, and Sirius XM.

For Ram, the race represents more than just a debut. It’s the culmination of years of planning, design, and strategy, and the chance to measure itself against Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota on one of racing’s biggest stages.

NASCAR thrives on stories of return and redemption, and Ram’s comeback checks both boxes. Backed by Kaulig Racing’s blend of energy and experience, the brand is poised not just to participate, but to compete for wins.

Kaulig himself framed it best: this is about setting a new standard on the track and making an impact off it. With Daytona just over the horizon, Ram and Kaulig Racing are ready to chase that vision, one lap at a time.