Could Ram's 2026 Hemi revival move lead to NASCAR Truck Series dominance?

In a bombshell moment for the NASCAR community, it was reported that Ram will return to the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026. The news broke on Sunday, June 8, that Ram will return to the circuit in 2026 as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) with the return of the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 model.

With Ram's upcoming return to the sport, the question is whether it can return to the same dominance it once had in the Truck Series. At this point, it's difficult to tell whether this will be a success or a bust. That's because, as Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said via Yahoo Sports, it doesn't have a designated Truck team yet.

“We’re looking for a date to the prom right now. So how am I going to get to Cup? That’s going to depend on how I get to Truck. So however we get to Truck is going to obviously weigh heavily on ‘do I have a path to Cup?’ Our intention is not to do a one-hit wonder and go to Truck and not to Cup. That’s not our plan.”

If Ram wants to make an impact on the Truck Series and eventually move up to Cup, it will need the backing of an elite Truck organization. For instance, if it can field trucks for a team like ThorSport Racing or Tricon Garage, it will be setting itself up for success.

Tricon Garage fields Corey Heim, who's the current Truck Series points leader. ThorSport Racing, meanwhile, has been established in the series for some time and is the defending Truck championship team with Ty Majeski.

However, if Ram can only land a mid-level team or less, it'll be difficult for the manufacturer to make any headway. Therefore, Ram needs to try and land some big-time teams if they want to find success in 2026.

Brad Keselowski applauded Ram's move to the Truck Series as an OEM in 2026

Ram's announced return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has got the sport talking, including Cup Series star Brad Keselowski. The driver of the #6 and co-owner of RFK Racing is looking forward to seeing what Ram can do as an OEM in 2026.

In an interview with racing insider Dustin Long, the 2012 Cup champion said the Truck Series has it "going on" right now. The Michigan native applauded Ram's return to NASCAR and hopes it opens the door for more OEMs in the future.

"It's a great place for an OEM to enter NASCAR and really kinda get that appetite going for the Cup Series. It's a big jump from the Truck Series to the Cup Series, but nonetheless, it's a great entry point for OEMs and hopefully they're not the only OEM to enter the Truck Series," Brad Keselowski said via Sustin Long on X (0:14 onwards).

Ram, formerly a brand under Dodge, became an independent entity in 2010. Dodge last competed in the Cup Series in 2012, while Ram last fielded Truck Series entries the same year.