Colin Braun, a three-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Champion, is set to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this Saturday at the 150-mile race held on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. This appearance marks Braun’s one-off comeback to the series, highlighting his ongoing versatility as a driver.
Braun to Pilot the #25 Ram 1500 for Kaulig Racing
Braun will be behind the wheel of the #25 Ram 1500 truck fielded by Kaulig Racing, the same team that includes his 2026 Rolex 24 At Daytona co-driver AJ Allmendinger. The Ram brand, owned by Stellantis, is preparing to return to NASCAR competition in 2026 after a 14-year absence, making Braun’s participation a significant early step in the brand’s comeback.
Braun’s Early Career and Previous NASCAR Success
Earlier in his racing career, Braun transitioned from sports car racing to stock cars by joining Roush Fenway Racing (now RFK Racing) as a development driver. He earned the Truck Series Rookie of the Year award in 2007 and secured a race victory in 2009 at Michigan International Speedway. Additionally, Braun made a notable appearance in the IndyCar Series championship race at St. Petersburg two years ago.
Braun Shares Enthusiasm About Returning
“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a NASCAR truck, especially on such a cool weekend when they debut in St. Pete,”
Braun said.
“Ram’s program offers a fantastic opportunity to mix my endurance background with oval and street course racing. I’m thrilled Ram is giving me this chance. I have seen how much work the Kaulig crew is putting into getting this program started up, and giving them a great result would repay them for the hard work!”
Other Sports Car Stars Joining the St. Pete Truck Race
Braun will be among several drivers with sports car racing backgrounds competing in the inaugural truck race at St. Petersburg. Dario Franchitti, the 2008 Rolex 24 overall winner recently named on the reserve list for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, will drive the #1 Tricon Garage Toyota Tundra. This event marks Franchitti’s first NASCAR race since August 2008, following his return to contemporary motorsport in January’s Michelin 24H Dubai after a career-ending IndyCar accident in 2013.
James Hinchcliffe, a Canadian driver and regular participant in IMSA endurance events with teams such as Mazda/SpeedSource and Pfaff Motorsports, will make his NASCAR debut driving the #77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado. Hinchcliffe has prior experience in the Repco Supercars Championship, but this will be his first NASCAR start.
Support Events and Notable Drivers at St. Petersburg
The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, presented by Michelin, will feature a double-header during the weekend, with appearances by Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA drivers Sébastien Bourdais, driving for McCumbee McAleer Racing (#38), and Earl Bamber, competing for Hendricks Motorsports (#21). The MX-5 Cup’s 42-car field includes top contenders such as Jeremy Fletcher, Jared Thomas, Tyler Gonzalez, Gresham Wagner, and newly crowned race winner Noah Harmon.
Significance of Braun’s Return and Upcoming Impact
Colin Braun’s NASCAR return at St. Petersburg represents both a personal milestone and a wider symbol of Ram’s upcoming re-entry into the NASCAR landscape. His blend of endurance racing experience and NASCAR background positions him well for this street course challenge. With several notable sports car veterans also participating, this race weekend is poised to bring renewed attention and excitement to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, while offering valuable momentum to the Stellantis/Ram program ahead of their official return in 2026.
