After more than a decade away from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the Ram brand of trucks is set to make its return to the series in 2026, with its Ram 1500 concept truck hitting the racetrack.
The news was officially announced at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday by Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of the Ram brand, during a live event less than two hours before the start of the FireKeepers Casino 400.
We’re back in America’s motorsport, the HEMI® V8 is back, and we ain’t here to mess around. LFG. pic.twitter.com/H6EqU5d1VN
— Ram Trucks (@RamTrucks) June 8, 2025
“For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR. The desire was always there, but we didn’t have a plan that delivered the last tenth, and following just didn’t fit our DNA,’ said Kuniskis. “Now, we have a solid plan that will set us apart from the field and will bring fresh new interest and engagement to America’s Motorsport.”
When the series rolls into Daytona International Speedway in February, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will have four manufacturers — the Chevrolet Silverado, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, the Ford F-150, and now, the Ram 1500.
“Ram returning to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a major moment for the sport and a sign that NASCAR remains a strong platform for blue-chip brand partners,” said John Probst, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. “We are excited to welcome Ram back to the sport. Its identity includes high performance, durability, and innovation — characteristics that embody NASCAR and, specifically, the Craftsman Truck Series.”
The Ram 1500 concept race truck unveiled on Sunday was molded by the Ram design team. The concept resembles a production truck, adopting elements from the Ram Sport Truck lineup (Warlock, Rebel, and RHO), but honed with an aerodynamic signature to slip through the air efficiently, yet with enough airflow to cool a race engine that revs over 9,000 rpm.
“There will be more details on our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program later this year,” added Kuniskis. “We are undoubtedly having fun with this project, and I truly look forward to sharing information on our team and how getting back on track relates to the future of Ram performance.”
Ram first exited factory support of the NASCAR Truck Series in 2012 after a 17-year run and focused on the launch of the new 2013 Ram 1500. The company’s return is one part of a strategy to build on the greatest variety of sport trucks and off-road enthusiast trucks the brand has ever offered.
Additional details regarding the future of Ram and Stellanis in NASCAR will be announced at a later date.
