In mid-February, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series resumed competition, marking the notable return of the Ram brand to the racing circuit. This comeback is closely tied to UFC CEO Dana White, who played a key role in bringing Ram back into the sport for the 2026 season.
Dana White’s Role in Ram’s NASCAR Return
During a Friday night broadcast of the Fresh From Florida 250 on FS1, Dana White joined hosts Jamie Little, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano to discuss his involvement. White explained how Ram’s CEO, Tim Kuniskis, approached him in Las Vegas with the idea of reintroducing Ram to the NASCAR Truck Series.
Ram, the CEO, Tim [Kuniskis] reached out to me and came out to Las Vegas and talked to me about helping them bring Ram back to NASCAR,
White said.
He liked a lot of the stuff that we’ve done in building our business. I love challenges, so I decided to do it and here I am at my first Daytona, and I actually have some skin in the game and care who wins the race.
Historical Context and Current Partnership Details
Ram originally joined the Truck Series at its 1995 start, achieving notable success with Bobby Hamilton’s 2004 championship—the first title for Ram in the series. The brand departed in 2013 after discontinuing its Truck Series operations. The 2026 season marks Ram’s official return, now fielding five trucks thanks to a partnership with Kaulig Racing.
Dana White also served as executive producer and commentator for the eight-episode series Race for the Seat, which showcased drivers competing for a full-time position with Kaulig-Ram in 2026.
Kaulig-Ram Drivers and Recent Race Highlights
The driver named from the competition series is Timothy Mini Tyrrell, who finished 19th at the Fresh From Florida 250. Alongside Tyrrell, Brenden Queen, Justin Haley, and Daniel Dye are regular Kaulig-Ram drivers this year, with a fifth truck rotated among various drivers.
The season opener on Friday delivered thrilling moments, with several lead changes on the last lap. Chandler Smith surged to victory by taking the inside lane in the final seconds. Close behind were Giovanni Ruggiero in second place and Christian Eckes finishing third.
Upcoming NASCAR Events to Watch
Following the Truck Series start, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will begin its season on Saturday with the United Rentals 300. The highly anticipated Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, airing at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app. NASCAR RaceDay will precede the event, going live at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Significance of Ram’s Return and Future Outlook
Ram’s reentry into the NASCAR Truck Series reflects a strategic effort to revitalize the brand’s presence in motorsports. Dana White’s involvement and the partnership with Kaulig Racing suggest a strong commitment to competitive success and fan engagement. As the season unfolds, the performance of Kaulig-Ram drivers will be critical to maintaining momentum in this renewed collaboration.
