Ram Is Returning to NASCAR. Could Dodge Be Next?

Ram wants to go racing once again. CEO Tim Kuniskis has plans to rejoin NASCAR as soon as February. The automaker has revealed a Ram 1500 concept race truck that previews what we could see competing at Daytona early next year in the Craftsman Truck Series, if everything goes according to plan.

The concept, which is part of Ram’s plan to have 25 product announcements in 18 months, borrows styling cues from the Warlock, Rebel, and RHO, the 1500’s sportier trims. Ram designers were able to recreate the 1500’s familiar face on the concept despite the need for aerodynamic efficiency. The concept wears a two-tone black-and-red livery with Mopar Direct Connection and “Symbol of Protest” branding.

Photo by: Ram

Photo by: Ram

Kuniskis said that customers and its dealer network had been asking Ram to get back into NASCAR. “The desire was always there” to rejoin the series, he added, but the company lacked a plan “that delivered the last tenth and following just didn’t fit our DNA.” Ram is advertising its return to NASCAR and the return of the Hemi with a new “Ram-Demption” campaign that features the 2026 Hemi truck, explosions, and a monster truck.

Now, the company has a plan that begins with the concept’s reveal at the Michigan International Speedway this weekend, which could be the start of something bigger. Kuniskis said he wants to rejoin the Cup Series, and we all know Ram doesn’t have any cars in its portfolio.

Photo by: Ram

Other Stellantis brands do, and we highly doubt the conglomerate is readying Fiat or Alfa Romeo for America’s Motorsport. That leaves the new Dodge Charger, which is in a similar situation to the Ram 1500—it’s a brand-new model with a modern architecture that still lacks a Hemi V-8 engine, which Ram recently rectified by bringing the 5.7-liter V-8 back to the truck. However, Kuniskis did not provide any details about how Stellantis will rejoin the Cup Series.

He first has to figure out how exactly he’ll get his new race truck on the track at Daytona because he still doesn’t have a team.

“I got a truck,” he said. “I got the attention. I’m writing a deal with NASCAR. I’m going to Daytona. How I’m going actually do that? What’s my team going to be? How I’m going to do it? I don’t know. We’re looking for a date to the prom right now.”