The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is drawing heightened attention as racing veterans including Ross Chastain commit to expanded roles, intensifying competition just weeks before the season opener at Daytona. The Ross Chastain Truck Series news comes amid broader shifts across NASCAR, with Cup Series stars and major organizations like Kaulig Racing and Ram making bold moves that reshape this year’s lineup.
Cup Veterans Fuel Change in Truck Series Roster
With the championship approach decided and off-track controversies in the rearview, NASCAR’s focus is now squarely on race preparations. The top-level Cup Series shows minimal change for 2026, as only Connor Zilisch joins Trackhouse Racing and Daniel Suárez shifts to Spire Motorsports, while the rest of the grid retains their existing drivers. This steadiness differs markedly from the energy in the lower series, where shifts in the Craftsman Truck Series are pronounced.
Michael McDowell, a regular Cup competitor, is set to take the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet at the Daytona Truck season opener, with backing from Tibbetts Lumber. The entry, which was a rotating seat last year, signals increased Cup-level participation. Meanwhile, the Ross Chastain Truck Series storyline grows: Niece Motorsports announced that Chastain, currently with Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, will drive a more extensive partial schedule in the No. 45 Chevrolet. After five starts in 2025 and a notable runner-up finish at Charlotte, Chastain is set to ramp up his involvement thanks to new policy changes allowing Cup drivers to enter up to eight Truck races per season.
“It’s great to be back with Niece Motorsports in a larger capacity this year,”
Chastain said in a team release.
“When I heard about the rule change, I knew we had to run more races together. We’ve got a great core group of people here in Salisbury (N.C.), and I want to bring them all back to Victory Lane. I’m thankful to have the opportunity and appreciate the ownership group and our partners for making it happen, along with everyone at Trackhouse for allowing me to run in the Truck Series.”
— Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Cup Driver
Jimmie Johnson, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers with seven Cup championships, is also returning to the Truck Series for a single high-profile start. Johnson, originally from El Cajon, will race with Tricon Garage during the June street event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, marking his first Truck race since 2008. He is also scheduled for the Cup race that same weekend and has secured an Open Exemption Provisional for the Daytona 500.
Kaulig Racing and Ram Collaborate for Ambitious Truck Series Campaign
Elsewhere in the series, Kaulig Racing is teaming up with manufacturing partner Ram in a bold effort marking Ram’s official return to NASCAR. The freshly formed alliance will field five full-time trucks in 2026—its first complete venture in the division. Three full-season drivers have already been announced: Brenden Queen will drive the No. 12, Daniel Dye is set for the No. 10, and Justin Haley tackles the No. 16, each piloting a Ram 1500.
Adding to their innovative lineup, Ram will run the No. 25 truck with a free-agent driver program, offering racers periodic starts without the pressure of the points championship. The fifth seat will be awarded to the winner of “Race for the Seat,” a new reality series launching later this month. This multi-episode competition will follow a group of aspiring drivers through a spectrum of challenges, both on and off the track, to decide who joins Kaulig’s roster for the 2026 campaign.
“We promised Ram would approach NASCAR differently and Race For The Seat is proof. Sometimes raw talent isn’t enough. Many successful careers start with an opportunity, a lucky break, or in my case, a good old-fashioned kick in the a*s,”
CEO Tim Kuniskis said in team announcement. — Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram
This fresh strategy brings new possibilities for both the teams and participating drivers, as Ram endeavors to attract attention while Kaulig Racing aims to establish itself as a major player in the Truck Series. Having confirmed three full-time entries and two innovative seats, the organization’s comprehensive approach has set a new tone for competition heading into the new year.
Looking Ahead: Daytona Launches a New Era
With the NASCAR season just weeks from firing up at Daytona, all eyes will be on these major storylines—the growth of Cup veterans like Ross Chastain in the Truck Series, the return of high-profile drivers such as Jimmie Johnson, and the debut of Kaulig Racing’s five-truck team with Ram. This shake-up suggests a highly competitive, dynamic Truck Series in 2026, where the blending of veteran talent and program innovation stands to redefine team strategies and fan engagement as the season unfolds.
