Ram Is Back In NASCAR—With a New Driver Every Single Week

Ram is introducing a 'free agent' program where a new driver will get behind the wheel of its Craftsman truck every week.

Ram 1500 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Photo by: Ram

Jeff Glucker

By: Jeff Glucker

Nov 18, 2025 at 2:30pm ET

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Have you ever wanted to go really fast in a truck? Ram has a fresh opportunity for just that sort of thing. The truck manufacturer has announced its return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. And the Kaulig Racing team has announced an interesting plan to put firesuit-clad butts behind the wheel.

Ram will institute a free-agent driver program during the upcoming season. The Kaulig Racing team currently has three main drivers in place, and the fourth spot will see a fresh hot shoe each race—that's right, every week. Each new driver will be announced on the Monday before race day.

Team owner Matt Kaulig said in a statement:

'The Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes. Each driver will bring something unique to the team. It's a new idea and exactly the kind of energy we want heading into 2026.'

Hot is the correct term here, too, as these trucks rip. The Craftsman Truck Series is essentially a spec series. There’s some variance allowed on the actual production of the motor, but they’re all based on the same design. You have a modified, race-prepped LS capable of producing as much as 700 to 750 horsepower when fully unrestricted.

Gallery: Ram 1500 Race Truck Concept

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis Ram 1500 Race Truck Concept

Source: Ram

Teams can choose to run with a carburetor or fuel-injection setup. A four-speed manual gearbox sends the oomph out back to Goodyear Eagle tires. The minimum weight limit is 3,400 pounds, fully loaded with a driver and fuel. There’s no forced-induction or power-adders at play; it’s just naturally aspirated excellence.

The truck must be a monster to drive. That’s why this free agent program isn’t open to any geek off the street. You have to be handy with the steel. This is an open call to those already operating in the world of motorsport. However, Ram plans to open the side curtain of the truck to drivers across various disciplines.

Ram says the first free agent driver will be chosen and then revealed in February of 2026. This upcoming season marks the first time back for Ram since 2012. That 1500 will lineup against competition from Ford, Chevy, and Toyota. The first race is scheduled for February 13 in Daytona, Florida.

The remaining chosen free agent drivers will be announced just before each subsequent race. These drivers won’t compete for the overall championship. Instead, Ram plans to offer a prize program based on the best individual on-track performances. The winner will claim their prize at the end of the season.

What do you think?

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Comments

It will certainly be interesting to see which names emerge, and from what corners of the motorsport world they arrive.

I’ll go so far as to raise my own hand. If Ram accepts the 24 Hours of Lemons as a legit form of motorsport, maybe I could count. After all, our team runs an old Ford Ranchero with a V-8 crate engine in the nose. How different could it be?