Elliott Sadler, a veteran of NASCAR’s premier divisions, is set to make his long‑awaited return to the track at Richmond Raceway, ending a seven‑year hiatus from national series competition.
His most recent full‑time stint dates back to 2001, and his last national‑series start came in 2019; the 51‑year‑old from Emporia, Virginia, last contested a Truck Series race in 2011 and has not set foot on the 0.75‑mile Richmond oval since 2001, a venue where his best Xfinity finish was a third‑place showing in 2016.
A New Chapter for Kaulig Racing
Sadler will climb into the No. 25 Ram fielded by Kaulig Racing, a team that is reviving the Ram brand in the Truck Series after a decade‑long absence, marking the first time the organization fields a dedicated truck program as part of its new 2026 lineup.
The upcoming Black’s Tire 250, scheduled for broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on August 14, will showcase Sadler as the 13th different driver to participate in Kaulig Racing’s Free Agent Program, a roster that has already seen Conor Daly, A.J. Allmendinger, Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon, Colin Braun, Corey LaJoie, Carson Ferguson, Parker Kligerman, Clint Bowyer, Travis Pastrana, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman behind the wheel this season.
Allmendinger’s sixth‑place finish at Watkins Glen International stands as the best result to date for the program, while Daly’s 26th‑place run at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park represents the most recent effort by a rotating cast of former Cup drivers.
Kaulig Racing, originally rooted in the Xfinity Series, has shifted its focus to the Truck division after the 2025 season, a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of the series for manufacturers and sponsors alike.