Ram Opens The Door For New Talent With All-New Free Agent Driver Program
A Rotating Roster Of Racers Will Get Their Shot Behind The Wheel Of The No. 25 Truck In 2026
Ram is taking a bold new approach as it prepares for its 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return, unveiling a first-of-its-kind Free Agent Driver Program for the No. 25 Ram 1500 with Kaulig Racing. Instead of naming a single full-time driver, Ram will rotate racers from across the motorsports world throughout the season—turning the truck into one of the most unpredictable and exciting entries on the grid.
Every race week, a new “Free Agent” driver will be revealed on the Monday before the event. The first driver announcement will arrive in February 2026, kicking off a season-long showcase of diverse talent. Dirt specialists, road-course standouts, oval veterans, and rising stars could all take turns behind the wheel.
According to Ram, the program isn’t about chasing season-long championship points. It’s about creating fan engagement, building new storylines, and giving deserving drivers a shot at national exposure.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis captured the spirit of the idea perfectly:
“Few people will ever experience the raw intensity of driving in a NASCAR race – V-Max speeds, crushing G-forces, raging adrenaline, primal focus – 170 mph in traffic is dancing on a razor’s edge. It’s a rush that is hard to replicate. Until science fiction becomes reality, spectators can only glimpse the feeling, never truly live it.”
Kuniskis went on to say the Free Agent truck is about connecting those experiences with the fans:
“Why do 20 million fans love this sport? Ask five and you’ll get five different answers—but one common thread: the connection to teams and drivers, personalities larger than life. The No. 25 isn’t chasing points, we are chasing something bigger—celebrating and amplifying fan engagement with the Free Agents, Kaulig Racing, and the Ram brand. That’s the sole mission.”
Kaulig Racing team owner Matt Kaulig says the concept gives the organization the flexibility—and excitement—it wants heading into 2026.
“The Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes,” Kaulig said. “Each driver will bring something unique to the team. It’s a new idea—and exactly the kind of energy we want heading into 2026.”
Ram announced earlier that Kaulig Racing will anchor the brand’s full-time return to the Truck Series with five Ram 1500 entries. Three drivers are already locked in—Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley. The No. 25 Free Agent truck joins the lineup alongside a fifth entry that will be revealed at a later date.
Although the Free Agent drivers won’t compete for the series championship, Ram will track their individual performances. A special year-end award will go to the driver who turns in the strongest single-race result of the season. It’s a competitive twist that adds motivation for every racer who gets a chance in the seat.
Drivers interested in a shot at the No. 25 seat can email [email protected] for consideration. It’s a rare chance for racers outside the usual NASCAR pipeline to prove themselves on one of racing’s biggest stages.
For fans, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines of the 2026 season. Every race brings a different face, a different background, and a different chance for someone new to make their mark. Ram wants to shake up the grid—and this might just do it.
