Colin Braun will pilot Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series‘ first-ever street race on February 28 in St. Petersburg, Florida. This appearance is part of Ram’s Free Agent Driver Program, which marks the brand’s return to NASCAR after a 13-year hiatus and features a rotating roster of drivers each week in 2026.
Ram’s Free Agent Driver Program Features Diverse Talent
The Free Agent Driver Program is designed to bring a dynamic mix of veteran racers and emerging competitors to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Following Tony Stewart’s season-opening run at Daytona and Ty Dillon’s participation at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Braun becomes the latest driver to take the wheel. The program typically announces new drivers before each race, blending experienced and cross-disciplinary talent behind the wheel of the No. 25 Ram truck.
I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a NASCAR truck, especially on such a cool weekend when they debut in St. Pete,
Braun said.
Ram’s program offers a fantastic opportunity to mix my endurance background with oval and street course racing. I’m thrilled Ram is giving me this chance. I have seen how much work the Kaulig crew is putting into getting this program started up, and giving them a great result would repay them for the hard work!
– Colin Braun, Driver
Historic Truck Series Event on a Challenging Street Circuit
The race at the 1.8-mile downtown waterfront circuit in St. Petersburg represents the first time NASCAR’s truck series will compete on a street course. The event occurs during the Firestone Grand Prix weekend, which features a doubleheader alongside the IndyCar Series, increasing the spotlight on this historic debut for the trucks.
Colin Braun’s Versatile Racing Background
At 37 years old and hailing from Ovalo, Texas, Colin Braun is well-known to both stock car and open wheel fans. Starting his professional career with notable success in sports car racing, he achieved a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 at just 17. He transitioned to stock car racing in 2007 with Roush Fenway Racing, earning the Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year, multiple pole positions—including one at Daytona—and recording his sole series victory at Michigan International Speedway in 2009.
Braun competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series between 2007 and 2010, achieving poles and a top-five finish in limited starts before shifting his focus back to endurance racing. His IMSA career is highly decorated, with three WeatherTech SportsCar Championship titles (2014, 2015, 2022) and four overall victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, including the 2023 GTP class win. He also boasts championship victories in the Asian Le Mans Series and class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Spa.
Kaulig Racing’s Strong Lineup at St. Pete Race
Kaulig Racing fields five full-time Ram trucks in its first season as Ram’s anchor partner in the Truck Series for 2026. Alongside Colin Braun’s entry in the No. 25 truck, the team’s drivers include Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, Justin Haley, and Timothy Tyrrell, who earned his seat through Ram’s Race for the Seat competition. This depth of talent showcases Ram’s commitment to both seasoned and rising drivers.
National Broadcast Highlights the Event
The 80-lap race will be televised by Fox at noon Eastern Time, giving fans broad access to witness the NASCAR Truck Series’ street course debut and Colin Braun’s return to the series behind the wheel of a Ram truck.
