A Virginia Homecoming
Elliott Sadler, a 51‑year‑old veteran who logged 855 NASCAR Cup Series starts before stepping away from full‑time competition in 2019, is set to make his long‑awaited return this Friday night at Richmond Raceway. He will drive the No. 25 Ram 1500 as part of the automaker’s Free Agent Driver Program, marking his first competitive outing in the Craftsman Truck Series in several years.
Virginia Roots in the Lineup
The Kaulig Racing stable features three Virginia natives: Sadler himself, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen of Chesapeake, and Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell, also from Emporia. Queen will make his debut at Richmond, a moment he has dreamed of since childhood, while Tyrrell views the race as a full‑circle moment after years of watching the series from the stands.
Corey LaJoie, who previously carried the No. 25 for the team, is now working alongside the crew to refine the truck’s short‑track package. His experience on tight, concrete ovals is expected to help the organization close the performance gap on the nation’s most challenging tracks.
Kaulig Racing’s Truck Series program is expanding rapidly, fielding full‑time entries for LaJoie, Queen, Tyrrell and Justin Haley. The multi‑truck lineup reflects the team’s ambition to become a more prominent contender across the series and to leverage its growing infrastructure for stronger results.
For Sadler, the weekend is more than a professional milestone; it is an opportunity to race before the home‑state fans who have cheered him throughout his career. The prospect of performing in front of a Virginia crowd adds an emotional resonance that many expect will fuel his effort on the track.