Ram Trucks and Kaulig Racing are launching a reality-show competition called 'Race for the Seat' to select the fifth driver for their 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team, with the winner earning a full-season ride and the show airing on FOX and YouTube.
Kaulig Racing, a NASCAR Cup Series team, is entering the 2026 season with a cautiously optimistic outlook after a building year in 2025. The team, based in North Carolina and running Chevrolets, features drivers Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger, both returning full-time. Dillon aims for more consistency after a challenging 2025, while Allmendinger, known for his road course prowess, looks to build on his recent successes and improve on his standings. The team is hopeful for better results in 2026.
Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion, will join Kaulig Racing as a full-time Xfinity Series driver in 2024, while also participating in select Cup Series events. Van Gisbergen made his NASCAR debut in July and secured a victory in the Cup Series event. He will run six Cup Series races in 2024, including road courses, superspeedways, and intermediates. Van Gisbergen will be a teammate to AJ Allmendinger and Josh Williams in the Xfinity Series, with WeatherTech sponsoring his efforts in both series.
Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion, will compete in the complete NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule and run seven Cup races in 2024. He will drive the No. 97 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing and will be backed by WeatherTech as Trackhouse forms a partnership with the automotive accessories brand. Van Gisbergen's Cup schedule includes races at Circuit of the Americas, Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicago Street Race, Watkins Glen International, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. WeatherTech will serve as the primary sponsor for several of his races.
Dirt racing star Jonathan Davenport, nicknamed 'Superman', made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Bristol dirt race, driving a third Kaulig Racing car. Despite not finishing the race due to a collision, Davenport enjoyed the experience and would like to do it again. He praised the talent of the field for avoiding him when he spun out on lap 81. Davenport acknowledged the race was different from what he's used to in dirt racing, but he found it cool and a novelty.
Kaulig Racing and Hendrick Motorsports will appeal the penalties assessed to them by NASCAR for part modifications at Phoenix Raceway. Chevrolet is currently leading the NASCAR Cup Series with all four races won by Chevy teams this season. The Cup Series will stop at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, where Chevy has won six times.
NASCAR has penalized all four Hendrick Motorsports teams and one from Kaulig Racing for the unapproved modification of a single-source part. The teams were penalized 100 driver points, 100 owner points, and 10 playoff points, while all five crew chiefs were fined $100,000 and suspended for four races each. The violation was related to the unapproved modification of hood louvers, which are vents in the hood that serve as a release point for ducts that transfer air out of the radiator. Hendrick Motorsports has announced that it will appeal the penalties.