Kaulig Racing is set to make its debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway, marking a significant step for the team and its drivers. The excitement revolves around the unique opportunity provided by Ram’s Free Agent Program, which aims to bring new talent and enthusiasm to the series. This debut is scheduled for the upcoming racing season and highlights Kaulig Racing’s ambitious expansion into the truck racing arena.
Veteran Tony Stewart Reflects on Returning to NASCAR Competition
Tony Stewart revealed that the conversation about his potential return to racing originated from a talk with Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, who invited him to consider competing in a truck race. Stewart initially found it challenging to convince his wife, Leah Pruett, of his seriousness about this comeback. He said,
“I went back to [my wife] Leah [Pruett] and said, ‘Hey, I just talked to (Ram CEO) Tim Kuniskis, and Tim asked me if I’d be interested in running a truck race.’ Her eyes got really big. She kind of knows the history of my relationship with NASCAR, but she goes, ‘What’d you tell him?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think I would be interested.’”
Stewart added,
“She looked at me like I had three heads. It took a little bit of convincing to show her I was serious about it. I think even (Tim) wasn’t really sure 100% if I was serious in that first conversation. But I told her when we went back to the hotel that night, ‘I think it would be really cool to do a one-off race and get your feet wet again.’”
He praised Ram’s Free Agent Program for its unique approach, stating,
“I think the program Ram created—to give guys like myself an opportunity to come in and do a race or two—is a unique opportunity that just isn’t out there for everybody. To have that opportunity and to see the amount of excitement we’ve heard since the initial announcement…the excitement from our fans has been incredible.”
Daniel Dye Ready to Start the Season Strong at His Home Track
Daniel Dye expressed enthusiasm about beginning his season on familiar grounds at Daytona, driving a Ram 1500. He shared,
“I’m ready to not only kick off the season at my home track of Daytona International Speedway, but to do it in a Ram 1500. Some of my earliest memories involve going to and from school and baseball practice in my dad’s Ram pickup. It’s an honor to be one of the drivers representing Ram.”
Despite previous challenges at Daytona, Dye remains optimistic:
“I haven’t had the best luck at Daytona, despite it being my home track, but this year feels special, and I’m really excited to welcome them back into the sport along with my four teammates.”
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen Looks Forward to His First Full NASCAR Season
Brenden Queen is enthusiastic about competing full-time in the Truck Series with Kaulig Racing. Reflecting on his long journey, he said,
“I’m super excited to finally break through with my first full season in one of NASCAR’s top three series, something I’ve worked toward for a long time, and at times, thought it might not happen. This is such a cool moment, something you dream of, especially representing Kaulig Racing, Ram, Cummins, and everybody involved. Little Butterbean would be freaking out right now.”
Recalling his victory at Daytona last year in the ARCA Menards Series, Queen remarked,
“Going back to Daytona to kick off the season is super exciting. Last year, I won there in the ARCA Menards Series, which is what really put me in the spotlight. Having Derek Kneeland spotting for me again is a game-changer, and I think we can go there and at least have a shot, no matter what.”
He emphasized the supportive environment at Kaulig Racing:
“I’ve got a great group of teammates, and everybody at Kaulig Racing has welcomed me like I’ve been here for years. The energy in the building is incredible, and being part of a new truck team in the series and Ram coming back is history I get to help make.”
“Mini” Tyrrell Prepares for His First National Series Competition
“Mini” Tyrrell is set to make his national series debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, confronting the challenges of competing at Daytona for the first time. He shared,
“It’s definitely nerve-wracking heading into my first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start, especially at a place like Daytona where everything is new for me. I’ve never raced on a superspeedway before, so learning how the air works and how these trucks race in a pack will be a learning curve.”
Tyrrell credits his teammates for their support during his early race weekend, stating,
“The biggest thing for me this weekend is just absorbing as much information as possible, and I’m really grateful to be doing that with Kaulig Racing. Brendan [Queen] has helped me a ton with what to expect in the race and how things are going to feel, and I’ve worked closely with Daniel [Dye] as well. They have been instrumental in helping me get comfortable on pit road, from speed zones to learning the digital dashboard, which is something I’ve never used before.”
He set realistic goals for his first start, explaining,
“Having a team like this around me gives me a lot of confidence heading into such a big moment. At Daytona, survival is everything — staying out of trouble, being smart, and putting myself in position to learn and finish the race. If I can do that, I’ll consider it a successful first weekend with Kaulig Racing.”
Justin Haley Returns to Kaulig Racing with High Aspirations
Justin Haley expressed excitement about rejoining Kaulig Racing and embarking on a fresh season loaded with motivation. He said,
“I’m thrilled to be back at Kaulig Racing, a place that felt like home to me for so many years. This new season marks big changes both in my professional and personal life. I think I’ll really take quite a bit of pride in this truck series program. I want nothing more than to win Ram’s first race at Daytona.”
Haley noted the challenge of racing with a new manufacturer and team in the truck series:
“The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is the only series I haven’t gotten a win at in Daytona, so this is really a bucket list item with me, especially with Kaulig Racing. I don’t think people realize how much goes into starting with a new manufacturer and not being an established truck series team already. Everyone at Kaulig Racing has been working at a rapid pace building trucks, so I’m going to do my part and make them proud.”
Significance of Kaulig Racing’s Entry in the Daytona Truck Series
Kaulig Racing’s entry into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Daytona represents both a promising new chapter for the team and a boost for Ram’s presence in the sport. The mix of seasoned drivers like Tony Stewart and Justin Haley, combined with emerging talent such as “Mini” Tyrrell and Daniel Dye, creates a dynamic lineup poised to make a strong showing. The involvement of key teammates and spotters, including Derek Kneeland, highlights the team’s commitment to preparing thoroughly for this debut.
This effort also underscores the importance of the Free Agent Program, which has sparked considerable excitement among fans and drivers alike. The coming season at Daytona will serve as a test of Kaulig Racing’s ability to compete with established teams, potentially setting the tone for future campaigns and further expansion in NASCAR’s truck racing landscape.
