January 9, 2026 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Ram charges back into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series the way that only Ram can. In partnership with Thrill Sports Productions, Ram launches Race for the Seat, a bold new reality competition series that gives 15 aspiring drivers the chance of a lifetime: to earn a spot in one of five Ram 1500 race trucks on the Kaulig Racing team for the 2026 season.
Over eight adrenaline-fueled episodes, contestants will go head-to-head on iconic tracks, including Virginia International Raceway and South Boston (Virginia) Speedway. Viewers will get an inside look at the drivers’ lives, their triumphs and setbacks, and the raw determination it takes to rise through the ranks of motorsports.
“Ram is an iconic American brand, and I’m excited to partner up with them for their new reality series, Race for the Seat,” said Dana White, UFC CEO. “This reality show is all about finding up-and-coming drivers and giving them a massive platform. The best always rise to the top in this type of competition. We are going to find the next generation of superstars for the NASCAR truck series.”
The series will feature unfiltered, behind-the-scenes commentary from UFC CEO Dana White, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis and Kaulig Racing Team Owner Matt Kaulig, offering fans a rare look at the business, strategy and heart of racing. Special guest appearances will add to drama both on and off the track.
“We promised Ram would approach NASCAR differently — and Race for the Seat is proof. Sometimes raw talent isn’t enough,” said Kuniskis. “Many successful careers start with an opportunity, a lucky break — or in my case, a good old-fashioned kick in the ass.
“There’s no one better at building champions than Dana White, which puts this show ‘in the draft’ before it even begins. Among these competitors, talent is a given. What we’re looking for is heart, hustle, attitude and an insane drive to succeed — someone who lives our ‘Last Tenth’ culture. When a driver rises from a field of 15, it’ll be their shot, their break — and knowing Dana, probably a few kicks — that leads to a life-changing moment by the time we get to Daytona.”
Ram recently announced Kaulig Racing as the anchor factory team for the truck brand’s highly anticipated return to NASCAR, starting with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.
“Race for the Seat is a great opportunity for the next generation of drivers to show what they’ve got,” said Kaulig. “Working with Ram to bring this show to life allows us to think differently, push the limits and give these talented drivers a platform they wouldn’t normally have. I can’t wait to see who earns the seat and joins us on the track.”
Race for the Seat will place the winner in the final seat on Kaulig Racing’s five-truck lineup for 2026:
- Brenden “Butterbean” Queen
- Daniel Dye
- Justin Haley
- Free Agent
- Race for the Seat
Race for the Seat will premiere in the United States on FOX on Sunday, January 25 at noon ET, with new episodes airing for free across the globe on Ram’s official YouTube Channel for the show from January 26 through February 6. Race for the Seat episodes will also be available on FS1. Check local listings.
Follow Race for the Seat on Instagram (@racefortheseat), Facebook (@racefortheseat), TikTok (@racefortheseat), X (@racefortheseat) and Snapchat (@racefortheseat).
Thrill Sports Productions
Thrill Sports is a next-generation live event and content company at the intersection of sports, entertainment and lifestyle. As the parent company of Power Slap, Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding and Thrill Sports Productions, Thrill Sports is committed to delivering mind-blowing sporting events and original content worldwide. With more than 70 million followers across multiple brand pages and channels, Thrill Sports is a leader in sports and entertainment. For more information on Thrill Sports, please visit thrillsportsco.com.
Kaulig Racing
Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team owned by award-winning entrepreneur Matt Kaulig. The organization fields two Cup cars and serves as the anchor factory team for Ram’s highly anticipated return to NASCAR in 2026, when Kaulig Racing will field five full-time Ram 1500 trucks. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing competed in over 700 NASCAR Xfinity Series (2016-2025) races, earning two regular-season championships and posting 27 victories. In 2021, the team began competing part-time in the Cup Series races before expanding to a two-car, full-time team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first Cup Series start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.
Ram Brand
Ram offers a full lineup of pickups and commercial vehicles: light-duty Ram 1500, heavy-duty 2500/3500, 3500/4500/5500 chassis cab and ProMaster vans.
Ram light-duty and heavy-duty pickups offer products in the fastest growing segments within the pickup space, off-road and customized. Ram has introduced the largest variety of off-road performance trucks the brand has ever offered, including the new Ram 1500 SRT TRX with more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup.
In the commercial business, Ram offers the chassis cab line with features to help customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is making considerable changes in process, execution and resources with a focus on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales and service support, which are critical to growing in this segment.
Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers:
- Segment first: 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins turbo diesel
- Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower
- Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty: Best ride and handling with five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension
- Ram 1500 SRT TRX: Best off-road performance per dollar and the most powerful, production, street-legal, gas, half-ton pickup ever
- Ram ProMaster: The most cargo space available in any traditional full-size cargo van
- Ram Power Wagon: Most off-road-capable full-size pickup
Ram is improving market competitiveness and growth while maintaining pricing power through products, services and electrified offerings. Aligned under the global presence of the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, Ram currently offers a wide range of products globally, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans.
Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.
Follow Ram and company news and video on:
Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Ram Truck brand: ramtrucks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/RamTrucks
Instagram: @ramtrucks
X: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA
YouTube: youtube.com/RamTrucks, youtube.com/StellantisNA