Kaulig Racing is preparing to build on a strong debut in the Truck Series with its Ram 1500 trucks, aiming to capitalize on momentum gained at Daytona and Atlanta. Featuring drivers such as Ty Dillon, Daniel Dye, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Mini Tyrrell, and Justin Haley, the team’s focus remains on delivering competitive performances through a combination of skill, strategy, and powerful equipment.
Ty Dillon Reflects on His Truck Series Comeback and High Expectations
Returning to the Truck Series, Ty Dillon expresses enthusiasm for racing the Ram 1500 once again. He recalls his first victory at Atlanta in 2012 as a career highlight and acknowledges the pressure of following a legend like Tony Stewart at Daytona. However, he is confident in the truck’s speed and the team’s potential.
“I have a lot of good memories of the truck series. Driving the truck is so much fun. We won in Atlanta in 2012; it was my first win and one of the best days of my career. I know I have some big shoes to fill after Tony Stewart at Daytona, but as you saw there, these Ram 1500 trucks are fast, and I expect they will be again on Saturday. I’m honored to be part of the Free Agent program. I think race fans are going to enjoy everyone driving this truck in 2026,”
Ty Dillon said.
Daniel Dye Eyes Continued Progress Following Daytona Success
Daniel Dye experienced a solid debut with Kaulig Racing at Daytona, successfully keeping his No. 10 Mopar Ram 1500 out of trouble and finishing on the lead lap. The performance has bolstered Dye’s confidence ahead of Atlanta, a track where he has historically performed well.
“Our truck exceeded expectations in those competitive laps at Daytona—it felt strong right away. The goal for the No. 10 Mopar Ram 1500 was simple: stay out of trouble and finish on the lead lap. We accomplished that, bringing it home clean for the first time in several events at my home track,”
Dye reflected. He also highlighted his familiarity with Atlanta through previous Truck and O’Reilly Series races last year, noting the track suits his driving style and prepares him well for the upcoming race.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Atlanta and have run well there in both Trucks and O’Reilly, including a pole in trucks and two top-10s in O’Reilly last year. That track suits my style, and I’m confident heading in. My two O’Reilly Series starts at Atlanta last year with Kaulig Racing have prepared me well for Saturday’s truck race. After seeing the checkered flag in our Daytona debut, we’re ready to build on that momentum and put the No. 10 Mopar Ram 1500 in contention,”
Dye added.
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen Embraces Learning Curve at Daytona and Atlanta
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen describes his debut at Daytona as a successful launch, despite narrowly missing a win. He highlights the significance of finishing the race and breaking into the top 10 while driving a new manufacturer’s truck.
“The only thing that could have gone better in Daytona was to win. I think it was a very successful day for Ram, Kaulig Racing, and Cummins. Finishing the race was the first goal, but a top 10 in our debut with a new OEM coming back—I don’t think I can complain about it,”
Queen said. Preparing for Atlanta requires adjusting to a different racing style and pace, as the team adapts from the superspeedway to a faster, more intense track. Queen has been practicing with simulation racing to prepare strategically for the quicker laps and rapid race developments expected.
“You do still have the superspeedway-style tendencies, but it also races a little differently. Obviously the pit road stuff is way different than at Daytona, and I’ve been doing a little sim racing, just trying to get up to speed on that side of it. I think it’s going to be a lot faster-paced style of race. The track’s going to have a lot faster laps, and things are going to happen much quicker. I feel like the runs are going to be a little different than what you see at Daytona. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going into our second race as a team,”
Queen explained.
Rookie Mini Tyrrell Shares Insights on Steep Learning and Strategic Preparation
Mini Tyrrell describes his first weekend racing at Daytona as eye-opening and intense, emphasizing both the privilege of the opportunity and the challenges of competing full-time in the series. Although new to the circuit, Tyrrell has already gained valuable experience with his team and is eager to apply those lessons.
“Daytona was an insane weekend in so many ways. It definitely sunk in—what this is and how major of a deal it is. I’m so lucky and grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given. It’s not just, ‘Hey, show up and drive a race car.’ It’s a complete full-time job, and obviously a dream job, so that part has really hit home. Overall, it was a great first weekend. I learned a ton about the guys, the truck, and racing there, and we salvaged a top-20 finish with only a few scratches,”
Tyrrell said. Looking ahead to Atlanta, he faces the challenge of competing without practice time on an unfamiliar track. Utilizing simulation racing and video analysis, Tyrrell is focused on mastering the track’s unique challenges, particularly the difficulty of passing in comparison to Daytona’s multi-lane layout. Fast starts and strong track position will be critical to his performance.
Justin Haley Targets Consistency and Teamwork at Atlanta’s Drafting Track
Justin Haley remains upbeat following a strong showing at Daytona, where he nearly secured Kaulig Racing’s first Truck Series win with a late-race fuel issue preventing victory. Atlanta presents another opportunity for success given Haley’s history of solid performances at drafting tracks. He enjoys the competitive environment and aims to keep the Ram 1500 truck clean while working closely with his teammates to maximize their collective results.
“We came really close last week to getting Ram its first win in Kaulig Racing’s Truck Series debut before running out of fuel on the final restart. I had a blast leading laps and getting a feel for the No. 16 Ram 1500. Atlanta is another drafting-style track where I’ve typically run well in other series, and I really enjoy racing there. The goal is to keep the truck clean, find my teammates and work together,”
Haley shared.
Looking Ahead: Kaulig Racing’s Path Toward Truck Series Success
Kaulig Racing’s combination of talented drivers, strong equipment, and increasing experience in the Truck Series signals a promising future. Their solid performances at Daytona and preparation for the fast-paced Atlanta track illustrate the team’s ambition to establish themselves as front-runners. By leveraging lessons learned on superspeedways and intermediate tracks, the team is positioned to improve consistency and pursue victories throughout the upcoming races. With drivers determined to deliver, and the powerful Ram 1500 trucks proving competitive, Kaulig Racing aims to maintain momentum and impress race fans as their Truck Series campaign unfolds.
