After making a 180-degree shift last year, RAM has decided it’s time to turn back in the other direction. The American automaker is bringing back its legendary HEMI V8 engine to the 1500 pickup lineup. And to celebrate this return to form, RAM will also rejoin the NASCAR Truck Series starting in 2026.
It’s been more than a decade since the brand last competed. In fact, RAM’s last official involvement in the series dates all the way back to 2012.
A RAM Truck on the Track Again
RAM has just unveiled the concept version of the truck that will compete in next year’s NASCAR Truck Series. The race-spec 1500 is nothing short of stunning. Its front-end design, inspired by the newly redesigned consumer RAM 1500, fits the race truck perfectly.
According to RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis, the return to competition has been a long time coming: “Our customers have been asking us to bring RAM back to NASCAR for over a decade.”
There From the Beginning
RAM’s involvement in the NASCAR Truck Series carries weight — the brand has been part of the series since its inception in 1995. It even saw a resurgence in popularity when the RAM name officially replaced Dodge in 2010.
Performance Front and Center
RAM is a brand synonymous with work, the outdoors, and everything you can do with a capable pickup. But the American automaker also has a strong legacy in high-performance trucks. Think of the iconic RAM SRT-10 with its Dodge Viper V10, or the rugged Power Wagon. More recently, RAM shocked the market with the outrageous RAM TRX — not to mention the new RHO.
The return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is symbolic of RAM\'s renewed performance focus. It also reflects the brand’s decision to step back from full electrification, reintroducing the HEMI V8 to its lineup. According to RAM, over 40% of motorsport fans also own pickup trucks — making this the perfect opportunity to reengage the community and boost truck sales at the same time.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
