Is RAM returning to NASCAR? Officials set to make major announcement in Michigan

NASCAR is all set to make a major Truck Series announcement ahead of this week's Cup race at Brooklyn, Michigan. As per reports, the sanctioning body is expected to announce the return of RAM as a manufacturer for the Truck Series.

Dodge Ram fielded its last truck in 2011, before the ownership moved to Fiat from Chrysler. Ram continued to race for five more years until the brand could not proceed anymore due to a lack of factory support since 2013.

Currently, Ram Trucks, formerly known as Dodge Ram, is owned by Stellantis North America, the same group that owns Dodge. As per a few reports that came out earlier this year, RAM is all set to return to the stock car racing series in 2026, ahead of its Xfinity and Cup Series return in 2027 or 2028.

“We are having robust discussions with a number of [original equipment] partners that someday, if I had to guess and were a betting man, something is going to hit," said Steve Phelps, the President of NASCAR on the additional of fourth OEM alongside Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford.

"I just don’t know with whom or the timing of that. I know that’s an answer I’ve given repeatedly over the last five years, but they’re facts. There’s no BS in the comment I just made," he further added. (Via Sports Business Journal)

It all started during the Daytona International Speedway race weekend in February this year, when NASCAR reportedly received an application for OEM, confirmed by CATCHFENCE.com. The application was for a formal submission from a manufacturer to join the likes of Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford in the Truck Series next year. As per reports, Dodge is the leading candidate to return to the sport.

NASCAR hosted the Truck Series race DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan at the Michigan International Speedway in Michigan. Stewart Friesen of Halmar Friesen won the 125-lap, 250-mile race, ahead of Grant Enfinger.

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Ram's history in NASCAR over the years

RAM has a rich history with NASCAR back in the day. It was an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and raced under the Dodge banner in the Truck Series until 2014.

Tina Gordon drives the #31 3M Microtel Dodge Ram during the Craftsman Truck Series Florida Dodge Dealers 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2003, in Daytona, Florida. - Source: Getty

It stopped being an OEM a couple of years after the Fiat group took control of Chrysler in 2012 (the group that owned Dodge, and subsequently RAM).

Renowned drivers such as Jack Sprague, Travis Kvapil, and Bobby Hamilton, among many others, have raced for Dodge Ram, subsequently RAM Trucks, over the years. Kvapil also became a rookie of the season in 2001, driving a Ram.