Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen named as first driver for Ram Trucks’ NASCAR return
LEXINGTON, N.C. — Kaulig Racing named Brenden “Butterbean” Queen as the first driver for their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program with Ram Trucks.
Queen, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series champion, will race full-time for Kaulig during the 2026 Trucks season. He is the first of five spots to be announced.
“A big thanks to Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, RAM, and everyone at Kaulig Racing for this opportunity,” Queen said. “I’m just a short-track kid who’s worked hard every day, never really knowing if I’d ever make it to this level. I’m very thankful for this chance and can’t wait to get rolling with RAM and Kaulig Racing. The goals are simple: build a winning team and chase championships.”
Queen earned eight wins and 17 top-five finishes in 20 ARCA Menards Series races this season. The effort earned him his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Kaulig Racing. In his stint, he earned a ninth-place finish at Kansas Speedway and the chance to finish out the season in the team’s No. 11 Chevrolet.
“It’s been amazing to see what Brenden is capable of, from winning multiple championships at his local short track to his dominant ARCA championship season,” said Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing. “He’s proven he deserves this opportunity, and we can’t wait to see what he does in the Truck Series next year.”
Kaulig will announce Queen’s number and partners at a later date.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com