Kaulig Racing has announced its partnership with Stellantis’ Ram Trucks, becoming the first team to partner with the American automaker for its NASCAR return in 2026 with the Craftsman Truck Series.
In June, Ram Trucks revealed plans to race next year, and now, it has named Kaulig as its anchor team. Kaulig currently fields three teams in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and two chartered entries in the Cup Series.
It is currently gearing up to race in the Truck Series next year, fielding up to five Ram trucks. It will be the only team to run Ram Trucks in 2026. Announcing the iconic partnership, Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing, said in a statement:
“This partnership represents far more than a new chapter in Kaulig Racing’s history, it’s a union of shared values. Over the past decade, 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. Together, we’re ready to set a new standard on race day and in the impact we make off the track.”
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Kaulig Racing President, Chris Rice, added:
“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.”
Tim Kuniskis, Ram CEO, said:
“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.”
Kaulig stated that the driver lineup for Ram’s NASCAR debut will be announced at a later date. Newsweek Sports recently reported the speculation about Kaulig’s partnership with Ram, where Rice acknowledged talks with the brand and hinted at an imminent announcement. He said:
“I think it’s still up in the air (on partnering with Ram); I think it’s a couple teams in the mix. But I can promise you one thing. If we get it, I will guarantee you, I’ll be able to tell you guys, and we’ll be smiling about it. How about that?”
When he was asked if racing in the Truck Series was a possibility for Kaulig, he said:
“I think it’s always possible. I just said we’re going to be aggressive. You never know about us. Anything can happen.”
Given Kaulig’s presence in the Xfinity and Cup Series, Ram could capitalize on the new partnership to expand into those divisions as well, especially given Ram’s ultimate goal of racing in the top tier of NASCAR.