Ram is officially back in NASCAR. In August 2025, the company announced a partnership with Kaulig Racing for its 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program — its first factory-backed Truck Series program since 2012.
Kaulig will field up to five Ram 1500 trucks starting at Daytona on February 13, 2026. Now the big question is: who’s driving them? So far, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Justin Haley, and Daniel Dye have been confirmed in the lineup, but rumors continue about additional drivers.
Several names have been floated by fans and in early media reports. Let’s take a look at four of the most mentioned — and how likely each is.
Landon Huffman
Landon Huffman is one of the first names that pops up, according to trusted NASCAR insider Nascarrumornostalgia. The young gun has built a grassroots following and is authentic. Both of which align with Ram’s goal of performance and personality as they get back into national competition.
Kaulig Racing’s “go big” approach might make room for a driver like Huffman, someone who brings credibility and fan energy. No confirmation yet but he checks a lot of the boxes: short track success, a fan base and momentum in his career.
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Timmy “Mini” Tyrrell
Teenage phenom Mini Tyrrell is another name that’s been mentioned. He’s been a late model up and coming the last few years and his youth and upside make him a developmental prospect.
Ram’s multi-truck plan means there’s room for new talent so while a full time Truck ride might be a stretch but a part time or developmental role isn’t out of the question. Tyrrell fits that kind of long vision strategy.
Carson Ferguson
Carson Ferguson, a dirt and late model standout, has also been mentioned in the rumor mill. His crossover appeal from dirt racing could help Ram tap into other fanbases, in addition to the factory backed entries like Queen and Haley.
With Kaulig emphasizing competitiveness and fan engagement for the 2026 program, a driver like Ferguson could fit as a part-time or specialty event entry. No official contact has been made but he fits the profile of a grassroots talent a multi-truck team might target.
Conner Jones
Of the four names mentioned, Conner Jones is the most established. Already has ARCA and Truck Series experience, Jones has readiness and immediate competitiveness which exactly what Kaulig will need to field multiple trucks and perform.
With the Ram trucks being fully factory supported, drivers with national series experience will have an advantage, so Jones is a strong candidate for one of the remaining seats.
Why these names make sense:
Ram’s investment is big: Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice have said the five-truck program is designed to “go big” from the get go. The team will be based out of Kaulig’s Welcome, NC shop so they can use existing infrastructure and run a factory backed program.
CEO Tim Kuniskis has said Kaulig is a partner that shares Ram’s “Last Tenth” philosophy : go hard, go high and treat the Truck Series as a long term platform.
With established drivers like Queen, emerging drivers like Tyrrell and national series ready names like Jones it shows Ram and Kaulig are mixing experience, talent and marketability across their trucks.
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