Ram Trucks and Kaulig Racing make a groundbreaking announcement Monday Afternoon! Here is their full press release.
- Drivers from across the motorsports world are invited to pilot the No. 25 Ram 1500 truck for Kaulig Racing during the 2026 season
- Identity of the Free Agent driver will be shared just before each race, keeping the program fresh and unpredictable
- The first Free Agent driver will be chosen and revealed in February 2026
- Full-time drivers Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley will anchor three of the five Ram 1500 entries
Ram is shaking up the grid with a bold new initiative for its return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026. The brand today announced a unique Free Agent Program for the No. 25 Ram 1500 for Kaulig Racing — bringing an unexpected and unknown lineup of drivers from different racing disciplines to compete throughout the season.
“Few people will ever experience the raw intensity of driving in a NASCAR race – V-Max speeds, crushing G-forces, raging adrenaline, primal focus – 170 mph in traffic is dancing on a razor’s edge. It’s a rush that is hard to replicate,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram. “Until 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’ll get five different answers—but one common thread: the connection to teams and drivers, personalities larger than life. No. 25 isn’t chasing points; we are chasing something bigger—celebrating and amplifying fan engagement with the Free Agents, Kaulig Racing, and the Ram brand. That’s the sole mission.”
The Free Agent seat will be occupied by a mix of racing talent with a passion for motorsports. Each driver brings their own unique history, creating a fresh storyline for every race.
Ram and Kaulig Racing will announce the Free Agent driver on the Monday leading up to each race, keeping the series fresh with different competitors.
In August, Ram announced Kaulig Racing as the anchor factory team for the truck maker’s return to NASCAR. Decisions for the Free Agent seat heavily rely on relationships created in the racing world for more than three decades.
“The Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes,” said Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing.
“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.”
Free Agent drivers will not be competing to win the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. 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.
Interested drivers contact motorsports@ramtrucks.com
Five Ram 1500s in the Kaulig Racing lineup for 2026:
- Brenden “Butterbean” Queen
- Daniel Dye
- Justin Haley
- Free Agent driver
- TBA
Ram’s return to racing was officially unveiled at Michigan International Speedway on June 8, where a Ram 5500 towed a custom-built trailer for a tire-smoking debut of the NASCAR concept truck. Performance is in Ram’s DNA — from the Ram 1500 RHO and TRX to the legendary Power Wagon and SRT10 Viper Truck. The Free Agent Program continues that legacy — blending elite talent, fan engagement, and raw horsepower in a way only Ram can.
Original Press Release – Here