Kaulig opens Ram Trucks NASCAR entry to ‘Free Agent’ drivers
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — One of Kaulig Racing’s entries for Ram Trucks’ return to NASCAR in 2026 will be open to free agent drivers, Ram announced Monday.
Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry will consist of drivers from “different racing disciplines.” Ram and Kaulig will announce the driver the Monday before each race in 2026, starting in February.
“Why do 20 million fans love this sport? Ask five and you’ll get five different answers. One common thread? The connection to teams and drivers, personalities larger than life. No. 25 isn’t chasing points. We are chasing something bigger, celebrating and amplifying fan engagement with this,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram.
Each driver will bring a “mix of racing talent with a passion for motorsports” and “their own unique history.” At the end of the season, Ram’s prize program will reward the driver with the best individual performance.
“The Free Agent seat gives us the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes,” said Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing. “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.”
Each free agent driver will have Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Justin Haley and Daniel Dye as their teammates.
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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