Truck program ‘a whole new ballgame’ for Kaulig

Matt Kaulig doesn’t believe he’s previously attended a Craftsman Truck Series race, and now he’s a day away from fielding five teams in the series.

“Well, it’s a whole different ballgame for us,” Kaulig says. “We’re excited. It’s business as usual for our Cup teams… But for us to announce this past summer that we’re coming (in) with five full-time trucks in the Truck Series has been a massive undertaking. It still is a massive undertaking and so that’s different.

“I really, really can’t wait just to see how everything pans out.”

It is the first time Kaulig Racing will compete in the series. Brenden Queen, Justin Haley, Daniel Dye, and Mini Tyrrell are the full-time competitors. The fifth truck, a Free Agent Program, will be piloted by different drivers throughout the season. Tony Stewart kicks things off for the team in Daytona.

But for Ram, it is a return to NASCAR after 13 years away.

Along the way, both parties have capitalized on the long runway leading into 2026 with various announcements (spaced out for maximum effect) and the creation of a reality show for one of the driver seats. In other words, Kaulig Racing and Ram have created their fair share of headlines before even hitting the track.

“There is a ton of value (in that),” says Kaulig. “That’s one of my favorite sayings, ‘If you’re not yelling it, you’re not selling it.’ You’ve got to be out there. You’ve got to have people talking about you.”

Click below to listen to the full conversation with Kaulig or look for The Racing Writer’s Podcast on any major podcast platform.