Rumors Tie Toni Breidinger And Cleetus McFarland To Ram Racing Plans

The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season may be winding down, but the rumor mill is only heating up. With Ram Trucks set to officially return to NASCAR in 2026 through a five-truck partnership with Kaulig Racing, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: Who gets the seats?

So far, Kaulig and Ram have remained silent, yet names continue to swirl. Two of the most recent? Toni Breidinger, the 25-year-old racer and influencer, and YouTube star Garrett Mitchell — better known to millions as Cleetus McFarland.

According to The Daily Downforce, an Instagram post from the popular account nascarrumornostalgia has thrown both drivers back into the conversation, sparking fresh debate in the garage and on social media.

Kaulig And Ram’s Big 2026 Gamble – 

Ram’s comeback to NASCAR is no small move. By teaming up with Kaulig Racing, the brand is committing to a full-scale effort with five trucks — a bold entry that instantly makes them one of the biggest players in the Truck Series garage. The program is said to be separate from Kaulig’s Xfinity and Cup Series operations, which means fresh hires, fresh crews, and most importantly, fresh drivers.

With five open rides, speculation has run wild. The early favorites have included ARCA Menards Series standout Brendan Queen and current Kaulig Xfinity driver Daniel Dye. Additionally, Ram has reportedly considered using a reality-show concept to fill one or two of the trucks, as well as exploring “All Stars” appearances. However, with many seats still unclaimed, new names continue to emerge.

Toni Breidinger’s Future In Question – 

Breidinger’s inclusion in the rumors raised plenty of eyebrows. The California native has spent the last several years building her career within Toyota’s pipeline, running ARCA and Truck races for TRICON Garage. She has carved out a niche as both a driver and a social media figure, blending racing with her modeling and influencer background.

On track, her 2025 campaign hasn’t produced eye-popping results, but she has quietly become one of the more recognizable drivers in the series. Up until now, her name had not surfaced in silly season chatter — especially with TRICON expected to bring back a crowded roster in 2026.

But the reality is simple: TRICON can’t keep everyone. Between prospects like Corey Heim, a potential Brent Crews part-time schedule, and Toyota’s global development commitments, there’s a chance Breidinger could be the odd driver out. If that happens, the open seats at Kaulig’s new Ram team suddenly make a lot more sense.

Cleetus McFarland Back In The Mix – 

Garrett Mitchell, better known as Cleetus McFarland, is no stranger to the rumor mill either. With over three million YouTube subscribers, his mix of grassroots racing, wild builds, and viral burnout contests has made him one of the most visible personalities in American motorsports.

Mitchell made his ARCA debut in 2025, running four races with mixed results. He logged two top-10 finishes but also battled the learning curve of high-level stock cars. That didn’t stop fans from wondering whether his name might resurface when Ram made its move.

In fact, earlier this summer, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported Mitchell’s name appeared on a proposed list of potential Ram ambassadors. At the time, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis denied any involvement, telling Kevin Harvick, “I don’t know where that came from… we actually had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

But in NASCAR, what’s dead one month can be alive the next. With Mitchell openly talking about wanting to race part-time again in 2026 and eventually attempt the Daytona 500, the possibility of him piloting a Kaulig-Ram truck can’t be completely dismissed.

Reality Check – 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by NASCAR Rumors & Nostalgia (@nascarrumornostalgia)

For now, these are just rumors. Neither Kaulig Racing, Ram, nor the drivers involved have made any announcements. Still, as The Daily Downforce points out, the Instagram chatter from @nascarrumornostalgia has breathed new life into speculation about both Breidinger and McFarland.

From a marketing standpoint, both bring unique appeal. Breidinger appeals to a crossover audience of motorsports and lifestyle enthusiasts, as well as women, while McFarland commands one of the largest online platforms in grassroots racing. Ram, in its push to reintroduce itself to NASCAR fans, could see value in both.

The biggest question: can they deliver results on track? Kaulig and Ram aren’t coming back to be backmarkers. With five trucks to field, there will be pressure to find a balance between proven racers, young prospects, and marketable personalities.

Source: The Daily Downforce