Mini Tyrrell, a 21-year-old Late Model Stock Car racer from Manassas, Virginia, has realized his dream of competing full-time in NASCAR’s National Series.
Tyrrell, a perennial contender in the zMAX CARS Tour, was able to edge out Carson Ferguson to take the top step of the podium after winning the series’ final competition in Late Model Stock Cars at South Boston Speedway.
Remember the name ?@MiniTyrrell punched his ticket to @DAYTONA where he will be the driver of No.14 @Kaulig_Trucks RAM 1500 ?
[ @RamTrucks #RaceForTheSeat | Rewatch Season 1 on YouTube NOW ] pic.twitter.com/y8qYOSe1b8
— RAM: Race for the Seat (@racefortheseat) February 7, 2026
The eight-episode reality television program known as RAM: Race For The Seat was announced in early January, and featured a total of 15 drivers facing off for a full-time spot in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 14 RAM 1500.
During the three-week competition, which was filmed following the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, drivers were faced with races in various disciplines of cars at various racetracks, like South Boston Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Virginia International Raceway.
On top of the on-track portion of the competition, drivers were also judged on their leadership skills, ability in press conferences, and marketability for the RAM Trucks brand — including a commercial shoot, which provided some interesting moments.
Entering the showdown of the season at South Boston Speedway, Carson Ferguson, a dirt racer from Charlotte, North Carolina, was up by a single point over Tyrrell, but was unable to finish high enough in his group to clinch the title.
Luckily for Ferguson, his opportunities were not finished.
The winner of each heat race, plus the top-two in the Race For The Seat standings entering South Boston, faced off in a 20-lap Late Model Stock Car event at the short track, where the winner would take home $50,000 and a ride with Kaulig Racing at Martinsville Speedway in October.
While Ferguson was emotional following his loss to Tyrrell in the final standings, that didn’t faze him at all when the helmet went back on, as he dominated the 20-lap feature and brought home the cash prize.
Ferguson is scheduled to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in the penultimate event of the 2026 season at Martinsville Speedway, driving Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 ‘Free Agent Truck’.
As for Mini Tyrrell, the 21-year-old driver will be tackling the complete 25-race NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2026, beginning at Daytona International Speedway on February 13th at 7:30 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.
Bruce Cook will serve as the crew chief of the No. 14 RAM 1500 and will also field an ARCA Menards Series entry for Tyrrell at Daytona International Speedway, as well as potentially some other events throughout the season.
