You too can be a NASCAR racer.
Well, maybe.
And maybe, I think, me too.
Dodge and its Ram trucks are return to NASCAR next season, and so far they have more seats than drivers. And they’re accepting applications (a little bit), so let’s throw our officially licensed caps into the ring (a little bit).
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First, some details…
Kaulig Racing’s Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig introduced their new product last summer when Dodge and Ram announced their official return to NASCAR, beginning with the 2026 Truck Series season.
Kaulig calls
Kaulig Racing, which has fielded cars in the Cup and Xfinity Series for several years, is moving its Xfinity operations to the Truck Series as the torchbearer for Dodge’s return to the sport. This will be an operation involving five trucks, and three of the drivers have been named… Daniel DyeJustin Haley and “Butterbean” Brenden Queen.
A fourth driver will soon be named, and the fifth will be named, and named again, week after week next season, in what is nicknamed Kaulig’s “Free Agent” truck. On Monday of each race week, we will find out who will drive that fifth truck in the next race.
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NASCAR teams like to get the right kind of attention, and this certainly is it. As far as gimmicks go, this one is marketing magic.
“The free agent seat gives us the flexibility to attract talent while keeping fans on their toes,” team owner Matt Kaulig said in a press release. “Each driver will bring something unique to the team. It’s a fresh idea and exactly the kind of energy we want for 2026.”
Rumors are circulating among 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 in other forms of racing, like IndyCar or IMSA.
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This sounds good, but it also seems a little predictable. Let’s open this search and dust off the CV, since one of the media announcements included an email address: [email protected]
And yes, I’ve already beaten you to the punch with everything I can bring, not to mention the cockpit:
A man’s “credentials” in the NASCAR Truck Series
● I’ve only owned pickup trucks throughout this century and the last few years of the previous century – for the entire lifespan of NASCAR’s Truck Series.
● I know the guy who started the Truck Series for NASCAR and I see him occasionally. He always answers my calls. Well… my texts anyway.
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● Of the manufacturers that have featured trucks in the series, Dodge is the only brand I have yet to own or drive. We’re late, Mr. Ram.
● I have owned a topper for many years, so the aerodynamics of these 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 mentioning sponsor names? Check this out…
● “We got everything we could out of it today. The guys gave me a fast Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 Craftsman truck and I like it. And you can too, with America’s best full-size truck and van powertrain limited warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Visit your nearest dealership today.”
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● I know how to use words correctly frustrated And frustrating within the confines of a normal conversation in a garage. I also tend to call my truck a pickupwhich will be very useful to us in Darlington and North Wilkesboro.
● Yeah, I know, no speeding ticket on record, but I swear one day I got the stink eye from a speed camera cop as I passed him doing 43 in a 35. I’m coachable.
● I am also afraid. I won’t go near a wreck, so we’ll save on parts.
● I have a few friends in gated communities, so I’ll be fine with pit lane speed limits.
● I know where to get beer after hours at four locations in the 2026 schedule.
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● What is it? Oh, we’re going to St. Pete next year? Make it five.
∎ Email Ken Willis at [email protected]
This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: The NASCAR team is recruiting; Kaulig and Ram looking for Truck Series drivers
