2026 is shaping up to be one hell of a year for NASCAR.
With the return of The Chase and added horsepower to the Next Gen car, Kaulig Racing and RAM’s free-agent truck entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kind of got lost in the shuffle.
That is, until this morning, when it was announced that Smoke is rising again.
With Tony Stewart returning after a 10-year NASCAR absence to run the No. 25 at Daytona International Speedway next month, it begs the question: who else would it be cool to see behind the wheel for RAM and Kaulig in 2026?
Returning legends? Stars from other series and disciplines? The possibilities are endless. Here are just a few.
Carl Edwards
Come on, you’ve already thought about it.
Carl Edwards had a pretty messy divorce from the sport back in 2016, much like Stewart did back in 2024. In fact, it didn’t seem like the former NASCAR Cup Series runner-up would even be involved with the sport in any way ever again.
That all changed thanks to his run with Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the Cup Series last summer, through which it almost seemed he was in love with the sport again.
This one may be the longest shot on this list, but it would be cool to see Edwards run in the series that made him a can’t-miss prospect one more time.
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne walked away from the series not long after Edwards but recently made a surprise return to NASCAR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series last season at Rockingham Speedway for Richard Childress Racing.
He shined in his return to NASCAR and, as improbable as it seemed, was a contender to win at times before ultimately finishing 14th.
It’s clear to me that he would not only be competitive in this ride should he have the opportunity, there would also be a huge amount of buzz along with him.
What’s more, it’s a hand-in-glove fit. The Washington native drove Cup cars for Dodge, from which RAM was spun off, for the first half of his career.
Jeremy Mayfield
This is not going to happen, but it’s also a super spicy choice.
It would take years and years of legal gymnastics, forgiveness and someone eating a large amount of humble pie to see this come to fruition.
It would be fun to see Jeremy Mayfield back, though. It would be a great full-circle moment that would undoubtedly bring a lot of eyeballs to the race he runs.
Plus, Kahne’s previous relationship with Dodge/RAM also applies here.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt
If Kaulig is looking to draw buzz around this program, bringing aboard Dale Earnhardt‘s grandson aboard would do just the trick.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt is already making a splash of his own in 2026, running in the ARCA Menards Series full time. However, that entry is a Chevrolet, so it may be difficult to get him away from his obligation there and in this truck.
Stranger things have certainly happened, though, and if this truck is about drawing attention to RAM’s return, it’s a perfect opportunity to do just that.
Garrett “Cleetus McFarland” Mitchell
It would be pretty darn cool to see him ripping like a bald eagle in this truck, wouldn’t it?
Coming off a hugely publicized and somewhat successful couple of ARCA starts last season, it’s clear Garrett Mitchell, aka YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, has some raw racing talent. Plus, the fan engagement when he does anything in a racecar makes it clear he moves the needle for lots of new fans of the sport.
If a race team gave him the opportunity with pretty decent equipment, he could really wow some folks. And Kaulig could very well be that team.
Plus, wouldn’t it be cool to see him honor his late mentor, former Truck star Greg Biffle, with a No. 50 throwback scheme? Hell yeah, it would.
Garrett joined Frontstretch as a news writer in 2023, and became a fantasy racing and betting writer in 2024. Hailing from the heart of coal country in southern West Virginia, he's a married father of three and a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant there.
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If “Cleetus” runs a Kaulig truck and performs well, it means one of two things:
1) The truck series drivers aren’t very good.
or
2) (More likely) Matt Crafton was correct, and “you can put a monkey in there and they can drive them.”
A random YouTube personality with very limited experience in high level racing should not be able to just jump into a vehicle in a national series, and be competitive.
Don’t disagree, but I’d like to see him actually improve enough to get a win on a short track someday. He’ll never be a champion, mostly because he’s started out too late and too far in the hole compared to the current crop who have been professionally trained and racing since they were in diapers.
After Jake Paul, everyone winces at youtube stars taking on professionals, but at least Cleetus is (from when I’ve heard him speak) somewhat humble about his ambitions. Does it help his youtube channel? Probably. But I think he brings more eyes to NASCAR than the other way around. If he can do it without being a clown show, I’ll cheer him on.
Mostly agree. I’ve watched a few of his videos. I see nothing which makes me think he’s anything like the Pauls, which is a very good thing. Mitchell is either very good at creating a fun yet mostly modest persona, or he’s the genuine article…someone who found a way to turn something he enjoys into a wealthy lifestyle. The junker races are particularly fun.
I can’t say I’ll cheer him on, as I think it’s just a combination of personal enjoyment for him and as you said, helping his social media empire. Would rather see a full time driver win.
NASCAR’s credibility is sorely lacking right now, and while someone like this likely does bring more viewers, were he to win a race, or even be competitive, I think it would drive yet another dagger into perceptions of NASCAR as a valid sport.
If a random gear head from YouTube can do it, it would seem to indicate little true skill is needed from a driver perspective. May as well chuck you or me in a truck, and see what happens. Me first! Just remind me to start trying after the last scheduled caution.
Mayfield would be awesome. I’d tune in to see that. Would also be cool to see Cleetus get a win for Biff.
I agree, it would be great to see Mayfield get off of the meth long enough to make a come back…
Still believing that cockamamy story that’s been debunked for years?
i can see cleetus doing it, especially to honor biffle. he has brought interest back to nascar, just because of how he is. tell it like it is. he just has a passion for life that is refreshing to see.