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Ram Trucks to Rejoin NASCAR Truck Series in 2026 as NASCAR Nears Fifth Manufacturer Deal

NASCAR expects the new factory entrant to deepen competition in the Craftsman Truck Series.

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Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan.
Kaden Honeycutt, driver of the #45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan.
A general view of the Ram announcement that its brand will return to NASCAR competition, scheduling a Craftsman Truck Series campaign beginning in 2026 on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Overview

  • Ram Trucks confirmed its return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, with plans to field four to six entries at the Daytona season opener.
  • The addition of Ram brings a fourth factory brand to the Truck Series, joining Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota for the first time in more than a decade.
  • NASCAR executive vice president John Probst said the sanctioning body is very close to finalizing a deal with a fifth manufacturer, with Honda often mentioned as a candidate.
  • Stellantis CEO Tim Kuniskis indicated that Ram’s Truck Series entry is intended to lay groundwork for Dodge’s potential return to the Cup Series, subject to an 18-month onboarding process.
  • Industry insiders expect Ram’s entry to deepen competition and boost fan engagement in the Truck Series, with teams such as GMS Racing and personalities like YouTuber Cleetus McFarland linked to the program.