RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis has opened up about the brand's return to NASCAR next year. He has made it evident that this time, they are going to approach their NASCAR journey differently than last time, and in a way that is distinct from everybody else in the NASCAR space.
NASCAR is set to welcome a new manufacturer on the national level for the first time since 2007. Stellantis announced on Sunday, June 8, that it will start competing in NASCAR’s Truck Series through its RAM brand at Daytona 2026. RAM is set to join Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota as the fourth OEM, following up on its history in the Truck Series from 1995 through 2016 under the “Dodge RAM” name. RAM is set to have four to six teams as partners for the Truck Series race, with no official confirmation on the teams or the drivers it will support next year.
“The way we’re going to do it is unlike anyone else,” Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. “The reason that we’ve been out of NASCAR for 12 years is a very tough (return on investment); it is a very tough business decision to make. But when we say we’re back, when we say nothing stops Ram, when we bring the Hemi (engine) back, when we bring some of the other stuff that we haven’t shown you, it makes perfect sense to be back in the (NASCAR) space and back up we’re saying. But again, we’re going to do it differently than everybody else.”Dodge had previously competed in the Cup Series from 2001 to 2012, winning the driver championship with Brad Keselowski in the final year for the brand in the upper echelon of NASCAR racing.
NASCAR YouTuber Cleetus McFarland reportedly in talks to drive in Truck Series
Cleetus McFarland, a well-known automotive YouTuber whose real name is Lawrence Garrett Mitchell, is reportedly in talks to join the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Ram as early as 2026. According to a report by Sports Business Journal, McFarland is considered a strong candidate for Ram’s anticipated return to the series, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
“YouTube star and ARCA driver Cleetus McFarland could get involved with the prospective new NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team from Stellantis’ @RamTrucks brand should the automaker complete talks to enter the sport,” Adam Stern reported on X.McFarland made his debut in the ARCA Menards Series this year, racing part-time for Rette Jones Racing. While his first race at Daytona ended early due to an incident, he rebounded with top-10 finishes at both Talladega and Charlotte, demonstrating his rapid adaptation to stock car racing.
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Edited by Rupesh