BROOKLYN, Mich. — It’s official: Ram will be back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as a fourth manufacturer for the 2026 season. The news was made public on Sunday (June 8) in the infield at Michigan International Speedway.
“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 announcement ends a 13-year NASCAR hiatus for the manufacturer, which ended factory support in the Truck Series after 2012.
“For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR,” said Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis. “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.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.”
Ram unveiled the Ram 1500 NASCAR concept truck as a part of its Michigan activation, and it will serve as a preview for next year’s finished product. The manufacturer will also use HEMI V-8 engines in its return.
Ram did not reveal any teams that would make the switch at the time of its announcement.
“Teams TBD,” Kuniskis said. “We built the car, we’re going racing, and we’re going to be in Daytona. We don’t really know how we’re going to do that yet. It’s like the kid going to the prom — I got the tux, got my dad’s car. Just don’t know who the date’s going to be yet, but we’ll get there.
Any further news regarding Ram’s return to NASCAR will be released at a later time.
“There will be more details on our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program later this year,” Kuniskis added. “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.”
The plan is for Dodge, a separate brand under the Stellantis umbrella, to make an eventual return to the NASCAR Cup Series. But all attention for the foreseeable future will be placed on Ram’s 2026 entry.
“Our full intention is to be back in Cup,” Kuniskis said. “But right now, we’re on a path for Daytona next year with the truck, with our eye on when we can be in Cup after that. TBD. We’re kind of flying with no net right now. We’re trying to get to Daytona. That’s our focus right now.”
Stephen Stumpf is the NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch and is a three-year veteran of the site. His weekly column is “Stat Sheet,” and he formerly wrote "4 Burning Questions" for three years. He also writes commentaries, contributes to podcasts, edits articles and is frequently at the track for on-site coverage.
Find Stephen on Twitter @stephen_stumpf