WELCOME, N.C. — Elliott Sadler is heading back to NASCAR competition.

The longtime NASCAR veteran and Virginia native will come out of retirement next month to drive Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway, marking his first NASCAR start in seven years.

Sadler, 51, will compete in the Aug. 14 event at the three-quarter-mile Richmond oval, a track that has long been considered one of his home venues. The Emporia, Virginia, native last raced in NASCAR competition in 2019 after a career that included 855 starts across NASCAR’s Cup, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series divisions.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at Richmond Raceway in front of the great Virginia fans,” Sadler said. “It’ll be fun getting back into a truck. I just hope I still remember how to drive it.”

The opportunity reunites Sadler with Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice, whose relationship with the former Cup Series driver stretches back more than three decades. Rice served as Sadler’s crew chief during their formative racing years at South Boston Speedway, where the duo captured a track championship together in 1995.

“We are so excited to have Elliott drive for us at Kaulig Racing,” Rice said. “Elliott and I grew up racing together at South Boston Speedway, so to have him race for us in Richmond, in front of our home state fans, is special.”

Sadler’s return is the latest chapter in Ram’s highly publicized “Free Agent” program, which has transformed the No. 25 truck into one of the most recognizable entries in the Truck Series since the manufacturer’s return to NASCAR competition in 2026.

The rotating-driver initiative has featured a diverse lineup of NASCAR champions, fan favorites and guest drivers, including Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer, AJ Allmendinger, Travis Pastrana, Corey LaJoie and Ryan Newman. Open-wheel standout Conor Daly is also scheduled to make an appearance later this month at Indianapolis Raceway.

For Sadler, the Richmond start represents a return not only to NASCAR but also to one of the tracks most closely tied to his racing roots.

A member of one of Virginia’s best-known racing families, Sadler climbed NASCAR’s ranks alongside older brother Hermie Sadler after beginning in karting and Late Model competition across the state. His NASCAR career eventually included 438 Cup Series starts, three victories and a career-best ninth-place finish in the championship standings in 2004.

Sadler also enjoyed considerable success in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he scored 13 victories and claimed the 2017 regular-season championship. His lone Truck Series victory came at Pocono Raceway in 2010.

Ironically, Sadler’s most recent NASCAR appearances came with Kaulig Racing. Driving for the organization in two O’Reilly Series starts during the 2019 season, he recorded finishes of 12th at Richmond and 10th at Las Vegas before stepping away from competition.

Now, seven years later, Richmond provides an opportunity for one more chapter.

The race also offers a homecoming atmosphere for one of Virginia’s most popular drivers. Richmond Raceway has hosted NASCAR events since 1953 and remains one of the sport’s most historic short tracks, drawing fans from across the Commonwealth.

For Kaulig Racing and Ram, the addition of Sadler continues a marketing strategy designed to connect NASCAR’s past and present while generating excitement around the Truck Series.

“We won tons of races together,” Rice said. “Now we have the opportunity to go out and try to win one more.”