NASCAR Thrills Fans with RAM Joining Truck Series in 2026

NASCAR has confirmed that Ram will become its fourth manufacturer in the Truck Series beginning with the 2026 season. The announcement came at Michigan International Speedway, where representatives from Ram and parent company Stellantis revealed plans to re-enter national NASCAR competition for the first time since Dodge left after 2012.

This move brings Ram alongside Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, making it the first time in over ten years that four different manufacturers will compete in the series. NASCAR executive vice president John Probst called it a rare and special moment for the sport.

The last time a new manufacturer joined was over 20 years ago when Toyota entered the Truck Series in 2004. Ram’s return has been the topic of rumors for several months, and its debut is now official after the brand presented a new race truck concept that closely follows the design cues of the Ram 1500 Warlock, Rebel, and RHO models, adjusted for competition.

Ram’s CEO Tim Kuniskis pointed out that the company has focused on reviving the Hemi V8 engine as a priority and cited strong interest from customers and dealers as driving factors behind NASCAR participation. While the first step is the Truck Series, there have been hints that Ram may aim for the Cup Series in the future, although there is no immediate plan to expand beyond the trucks.

For the 2026 season, NASCAR expects Ram to field up to four to six trucks at the season opener. As of the announcement, Ram has not confirmed partnerships with specific racing teams but expects to finalize arrangements by the start of the season at Daytona.

The race truck will undergo wind tunnel testing, and NASCAR plans to approve the body by mid-August. All teams in the Truck Series, including the new Ram entries, will use standardized NT1 engines supplied by Ilmor, making for a level playing field across manufacturers.

Dodge, through Ram, has a notable history in the Truck Series, claiming manufacturer titles in 2001, 2003, and 2004. However, after the 2012 season, all Dodge and Ram support ended across NASCAR’s top three divisions.

The current plan is solely for the Truck Series, with no expansion yet confirmed for other NASCAR divisions. NASCAR insiders expect this announcement to energize competition in the Truck Series and broaden fan interest.

The existing manufacturers have welcomed Ram’s entry and continue to work with NASCAR to encourage strong participation from all automakers. If the total field grows, NASCAR is open to increasing the size of the Truck Series grid for 2026.

The new Ram 1500 race truck promises to bring fresh excitement and a competitive boost just as the series prepares for a new era with four active manufacturers. The official start for Ram will be at Daytona in February 2026, and fans are looking forward to seeing how the brand performs when the green flag drops.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.