Ram is Back in NASCAR: Racing Returns to America

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/

• Ram is roaring back into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026 after a 13-year absence, signaling a major product offensive with 25 announcements planned within an 18-month period.
• The high-octane reveal of a new Ram 1500 concept race truck at Michigan International Speedway, complete with a show-stopping donut trailer, sets the stage for the brand’s NASCAR return.
• The “Ram-Demption” marketing campaign celebrates the triumphant return of the HEMI® V-8 engine and Ram’s re-entry into NASCAR.
• Performance pickups are deeply ingrained in Ram’s history, exemplified by models like the Ram 1500 RHO and TRX, Power Wagon, and SRT10 Viper Truck.

After a 13-year absence, Ram is gearing up to rejoin the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026, a move that’s revving up excitement within the automotive world. The brand is showcasing its commitment with the unveiling of a new Ram 1500 concept race truck, offering a sneak peek at the design for the upcoming year. This return to the racetrack is a pivotal moment, forming a critical part of Ram’s ambitious product strategy which includes a staggering 25 product announcements over the next 18 months, a bold move signaling the brand’s accelerated momentum.

The highly-anticipated news was formally announced by Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram brand, during a live NASCAR event at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The announcement featured a spectacle of highlights, including a Ram 5500 hauling an exclusive custom trailer specifically built to churn out smoky donuts, courtesy of Ram’s NASCAR concept truck. Adding to the spectacle, MMA hall of famer Anderson Silva took to the track, shooting HEMI®-branded T-shirts into the crowd.

“For more than a decade, both our customers and our dealer network have been asking us when we’d get back into NASCAR. The desire was always there, but it wasn’t a plan that would allow us to compete for the win and truly fit our DNA,” Kuniskis stated. “Now we’ve got a solid plan that will enable us to stand out from the competition and will bring a new level of fresh appeal and engagement to American motorsports.”

Entering the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a natural fit for Ram, given that over 40% of NASCAR fans are truck owners. This high-profile series offers Ram a prime platform to showcase its high-performance vehicles as it launches a series of thrilling, capable new trucks.

“Ram’s return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a notable moment for the sport, and a clear indication that NASCAR remains a strong platform for premier brands,” said John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “We are delighted to welcome Ram back to the sport. They represent performance, durability, and innovation—characteristics that are at the heart of NASCAR, and specifically, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.”

Ram 1500 NASCAR Concept

The Ram 1500 concept race truck, designed by the Ram design team, was unveiled today. It is closely modeled after a production truck, incorporating elements from the Ram Truck Sport lineup (Warlock, Rebel, and RHO), but with a streamlined aerodynamic design to optimize airflow, while still effectively cooling a race engine that can reach over 9,000 rpm. The body’s contours around the fenders and grille maintain a familiar look, framing a substantial Ram logo that immediately creates the truck’s distinctive identity.

The custom body design is characterized by a striking two-tone color scheme. The exterior combines a Gloss Black finish with a Molten Red lower section to create a cohesive visual presence. The Ram design team created an impactful livery which blends the visual design of Ram trucks with the Direct Connection and Symbol of Protest logos. Mopar’s Direct Connection aftermarket division is also adding performance options for Ram trucks and gets significant recognition on the concept race truck.

“We’ll be sharing additional details about our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program later this coming year,” Kuniskis added. “We’re definitely enjoying this project, and I am really looking forward to communicating information about our team and how our return to the track ties in with the future of Ram performance.”

Alongside the announcement, the brand launched its “Ram-Demption” campaign, featuring Kuniskis behind the wheel of Ram’s NASCAR concept truck at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, with the iconic Goodyear Blimp and jets soaring above. Various “Ram-Demption” video versions, including 60-second, 30-second, and 15-second spots, are set to air across NASCAR media and the Ram brand’s social media channels, as well as a full-length video that will be available on www.ram.com and YouTube. “Ram-Demption” was created in collaboration with the Argonaut agency.

Ram’s racing news is a piece of a broader product announcement series, that includes the highly anticipated return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and orders opening for its availability in the 2026 Ram 1500.

Ram withdrew official factory support for NASCAR’s CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2012 after a 17-year run, in order to concentrate on the debut of the new 2013 Ram 1500. Ram’s resurgence in NASCAR is part of an overarching strategy to build on the widest selection of sport trucks and off-road performance trucks ever offered by the brand.

Ram boasts a rich history of performance trucks, featuring models like the Power Wagon, SRT10 Viper Truck, TRX, RHO, Rumble Bee, Little Red Express, and Warlock.

In 2004, a Ram SRT-10, piloted by NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan, set a Guinness World Record for the fastest production truck, achieving an average speed of 154.587 mph (248.784 km/h) at the Stellantis Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Mich.

Ram Brand

Ram provides a wide selection of pickup trucks and commercial vehicles, including the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab, and ProMaster vans.

Both Ram Light-Duty and Heavy Duty pickups have been significantly upgraded for 2025, featuring new products in the sport truck segment, a quickly growing space in the pickup truck market which, in turn, has pushed Ram to introduce their greatest variety of off-road performance trucks yet—including the new Ram 1500 RHO, which offers more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup.

In its commercial business, Ram is set to launch its new 2025 Chassis Cab line with improvements aimed at benefiting customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is introducing significant adjustments to processes, execution, and resources, focusing on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales, and service assistance, which are critical for expanding within this segment.

Ram continues to surpass the competition, setting standards in areas that truck buyers prioritize most:

• Segment-first: 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel
• Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower
• Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty: Best ride and handling with a five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension
• Ram 1500 RHO: Best off-road performance per dollar
• Ram ProMaster: The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van
• Ram Power Wagon: Most off-road capable full-size pickup

Ram is enhancing market competitiveness and accelerating growth while retaining pricing power through an expanded array of products, services, and electrified options. Ram, a global brand under Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, currently offers a broad range of products worldwide, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans.

Ram is part of the brand portfolio offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information about Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Ram and company news and video on:

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Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Ram Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ramtrucks

Twitter: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

For more information, please visit the Stellantis media site for North America at https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com.

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SOURCE Stellantis