{"id":290028,"date":"2025-11-18T01:19:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T01:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/290028\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T01:19:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T01:19:09","slug":"ram-kaulig-create-free-agent-program-for-2026-nascar-truck-entry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/290028\/","title":{"rendered":"Ram, Kaulig Create Free Agent Program For 2026 NASCAR Truck Entry"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Ram Trucks is set to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, after a 13-year hiatus, the manufacturer and its anchor team, Kaulig Racing<\/a>, have come up with an interesting way to fill one of the team\u2019s five full-time rides this season.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Ram Trucks and Kaulig Racing jointly announced a \u201cFree Agent Driver\u201d program for the upcoming season<\/a>, which will invite drivers from across the motorsports world to compete behind the wheel of the team\u2019s No. 25 Ram 1500 truck during the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Our No. 25 Ram 1500 will serve as our Free Agent seat during our inaugural season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series!<\/p>\n

More details: https:\/\/t.co\/n2Cul2FlTq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yNClQKWKDE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes,\u201d said Matt Kaulig, owner Kaulig Racing. \u201cEach driver will bring something unique to the team. It\u2019s a new idea, and exactly the kind of energy we want heading into 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first free agent driver, who will compete in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, will be chosen and revealed in February, and each driver for the \u201cFree Agent\u201d No. 25 truck will be announced on the Monday leading into the race weekend.<\/p>\n

This program further cements Ram\u2019s pledge to push the boundaries in its return to NASCAR.<\/p>\n

\u201cFew people will ever experience the raw intensity of driving in a NASCAR race \u2013 V-Max speeds, crushing G-forces, raging adrenaline, primal focus \u2013 170 mph in traffic is dancing on a razor\u2019s edge. It\u2019s a rush that is hard to replicate,\u201d said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram. \u201cUntil science fiction becomes reality, spectators can only glimpse the feeling, never truly live it. So why do 20 million fans love this sport? Ask five and you\u2019ll get five different answers\u2014but one common thread: the connection to teams and drivers, personalities larger than life. No. 25 isn\u2019t chasing points; we are chasing something bigger\u2014celebrating and amplifying fan engagement with the Free Agents, Kaulig Racing, and the Ram brand. That\u2019s the sole mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of the program, Ram will create a prize program based on the best individual track performance. Only drivers who participate in the Free Agent truck series will be eligible, with the winning driver awarded at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

Any drivers interested in joining the Ram Truck Free Agent driver pool for the 2026 season are encouraged to contact Ram at motorsports@ramtrucks.com.<\/p>\n

The Free Agent Driver truck will join the already announced full-time entries for Brenden \u201cButterbean\u201d Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley. Kaulig Racing still has one truck remaining in its Ram Truck fleet for the 2026 season, which has not had any drivers announced.<\/p>\n

Prior to the NASCAR race weekend at Daytona International Speedway in August, Ram Trucks revealed Kaulig Racing as the sole factory team for the upstart Ram Trucks program in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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