You, too, can be a NASCAR racer.
Well, maybe.
And maybe, I reckon, so can I.
Dodge and its Ram trucks are returning to NASCAR next season, and so far, they have more seats than drivers. And they’re (kinda) taking applications, so let’s (kinda) throw our officially licensed caps in the ring.
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First, some details …
Kaulig Racing’s Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig showed off their new product last summer when Dodge and Ram announced their official return to NASCAR, beginning with the 2026 Truck Series season.
Kaulig is calling
Kaulig Racing, which has fielded cars in the Cup and Xfinity Series for several years, is moving its Xfinity operation to the Truck Series as the torch-bearer for Dodge’s return to the sport. It’ll be a five-truck operation, and three of the drivers have been named — Daniel Dye, Justin Haley and “Butterbean” Brenden Queen.
A fourth driver will be named soon, and the fifth will be named, and named again, week after week next season, in what’s being dubbed Kaulig’s “Free Agent” truck. On Monday of each race week, we’ll learn who’ll be driving that fifth truck in the upcoming race.
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NASCAR teams love the right kind of attention, and this is most definitely that. As gimmicks go, this one is marketing magic.
“The Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes,” team owner Matt Kaulig said through a press release. “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.”
Rumored names being tossed around include some recently retired NASCAR racers who remain active in other forms of racing — names like Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman — and likely some racers from other forms of racing, such as IndyCar or IMSA sports-car racing.
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Sounds good, but also sounds a tad predictable. Let’s open up this search and dust off the resumé, since one of the media announcements included an email address: motorsports@ramtrucks.com
And yes, I already beat you to it with everything I can bring to the table, not to mention the cockpit:
One man’s NASCAR Truck series ‘credentials’
● I’ve owned nothing but pickup trucks this entire century, and for the last several years of the preceding century — the entire life span of NASCAR’s Truck Series.
● I know the guy who basically started the Truck Series for NASCAR and see him on occasion. He still actually answers my calls. Well … my texts anyway.
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● Of the manufacturers who have fielded trucks in the series, Dodge is the only brand I’ve yet to own and drive. We’re overdue, Mr. Ram.
● I’ve had a bed-topper for many years, so the aerodynamics of those NASCAR “trucks” will be familiar to me.
● Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT, Stellantis, Cummins … Pilot Flying J, Sunoco, Jack Link’s Jerky, White Castle, White Claw, Eagle Claw … Eagle Snacks, American Eagle, American Giant, Green Giant.
● See how good I am at spontaneously rattling off sponsor names? Check this out …
● “We got all we could out of ’er today. The fellas put a fast Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 Craftsman Truck under me and I appreciate it. And you can too, along with America’s best full-size truck and van powertrain limited warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Visit your nearest dealer today.”
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● I’m well versed in properly using the words flustrated and flustratin’ within the confines of normal garage conversation. I’m also prone to calling my truck a pickem-up, which will serve us well in Darlington and North Wilkesboro.
● Yeah, I know, no speeding tickets on the record, but I swear I once got the stink-eye from a radar-packing cop as I passed him doing 43 in a 35. I’m coachable.
● I’m also fearful. I won’t go anywhere near a wreck, so we’ll save on parts.
● I have a couple friends in gated communities, so I’ll do well with pit-lane speed limits.
● I know where to get us beer after hours at four places on the 2026 schedule.
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● What’s that? Oh, we’re going to St. Pete next year? Make it five.
∎ Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR team is hiring; Kaulig, Ram looking for Truck Series drivers
