Kaulig CEO Chris Rice says one driver many fans had hoped would drive the team’s No. 25 truck is absolutely out of contention.
Ram Trucks and Kaulig Racing’s new NASCAR partnership has found many ways to get the spotlight on a given race weekend.
These methods have included consistent marketing, the RAM: Race For the Seat TV show, and their No. 25 truck. The team refers to this No. 25 as a “Free Agent Truck” with a different, unaffiliated driver, taking on racing duties throughout the season.
When they first announced this new truck, Kaulig hinted that driver possibilities were endless, with the first announced driver being NASCAR legend Tony Stewart, who was making his first start in a NASCAR National Series since 2016.
Names featured on fans’ wishlists included Stewart (a quick win), Kasey Kahne, and, often mentioned but not rumored, NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin.
In fact, Martin crossed paths with Kaulig brass online Thursday, responding to a post on X from the team’s CEO, Chris Rice, expressing his excitement about Brenden Queen racing at Bristol, saying, “Me. Why don’t you return my phone calls bro? @C_Rice1”
Responding to Martin, Rice said he was going to gauge the legend’s interest in driving a Ram truck, saying, “Oh my @markmartin called me, and I had no idea. But I just called him back everyone let’s cross our fingers. He says I want to drive one of those trucks!”
While this caused a stir amongst the NASCAR fanbase, Rice was quick to mention that, following his chat with Martin, the former Cup Series veteran has no interest in returning to the track.
“Okay everyone I talked to @markmartin yesterday and he does NOT want to drive anymore…. But it was a great conversation and I invited him to any race he wants to come to with us!!!” — Chris Rice via X
Though this may have shattered some NASCAR fans’ dreams, this is a surprise, as Martin has frequently said he has no interest in returning to racing since his retirement from part-time competition in 2013.
Through the first six races of the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR fans have started to ask if Kaulig and Ram are meeting the potential of this free agent truck.
While Stewart’s outing, as short-lived as it was, brought interest, and the truck’s third race with Colin Braun, which was Braun’s first NASCAR race since 2010, was a real surprise, the rest of the lineup has paled in comparison.
For one, the truck has seen Kaulig Cup Series driver Ty Dillon, and now full-time Kaulig Truck Series driver Corey LaJoie drives the truck, with plans for Race For the Seat runner-up Carson Ferguson to take over this weekend at Bristol.
Regardless of the lower name value the seat has seen as of recent, there is still a full season ahead of the team, and continued rumors that big names could make their return to the sport with the team down the road.
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