RAM Trucks is gearing up to make a splash in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, with its parent company, Stellantis, setting its sights on a potential Cup Series deal down the line. Reports indicate that the American automaker will be responsible for designing key components of its trucks, including the nose, hood, front fenders, and tail.
While the specific teams and drivers that will field RAM Trucks have yet to be announced, Ram’s CEO, Tim Kinuskis, has expressed his desire to see at least four trucks on the grid for the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in 2026, with the possibility of expanding to six trucks.
However, the ultimate goal for RAM Trucks is to eventually transition into the Cup Series. Kinuskis emphasized the importance of establishing a path to the Cup Series through the Truck Series, stating, “Our intention is not to do a one-hit wonder and go to truck and not to Cup. That’s not our plan.”
It remains unclear which brand of cars RAM will prepare for the 2026 season. While speculation has pointed towards Plymouth or Dodge, Kinuskis clarified that RAM’s return to the Truck Series is unrelated to Dodge. He mentioned, “If we go back to Cup, which is our intention, Ram doesn’t have a car, so obviously that would have to be Dodge coming back.”
Dodge previously competed in the Cup Series until 2012, when they departed after Brad Keselowski secured the series title. With no manufacturer joining NASCAR since Toyota in 2004, RAM’s potential entry into the Cup Series could shake up the landscape of the sport.
In a bid to expand NASCAR’s fan base, Kinuskis expressed his ambition to grow the existing 20 million fans to 80 or even 100 million. While details of RAM’s fan engagement strategy remain under wraps, Kinuskis hinted at collaborations with popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, who has dipped his toes into ARCA racing.
As RAM Trucks prepares to make its mark in the NASCAR world, the automotive giant is poised to bring a new level of excitement and competition to the racing circuit. With an eye towards the future, RAM’s entry into the Truck Series could pave the way for a potential return to the prestigious Cup Series, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s racing legacy.
