A Legendary Comeback
Ryan Newman, a former Daytona 500 champion and 2003 Driver of the Year, will take the wheel of the No. 25 Ram for Kaulig Racing at the July 18 Truck Series race in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. It will be his first NASCAR start since the 2023 season, rekindling a partnership that last saw Dodge trucks dominate the series.
Newman’s résumé reads like a chapter from racing lore. From 2003 to 2008 he amassed eight victories with Dodge, captured the 2008 Daytona 500, and logged more Cup Series wins than any other driver during that span. His triumphs include the 2013 Brickyard 400 and a string of eight‑race streaks that cemented his status among the sport’s elite.
The return also signals a broader comeback for the Ram brand, which has been absent from NASCAR competition for more than a decade. Through its alliance with Kaulig Racing, Ram will field a truck that has already seen notable drivers such as Tony Stewart, Travis Pastrana and Clint Bowyer behind the wheel this season.
Beyond the headline act, Newman will join a roster of familiar names that includes Jamie McMurray, Parker Kligerman, Carson Ferguson, Corey LaJoie and Ty Dillon, all of whom have contributed to the series’ recent narrative. The race will be broadcast live on FS1 at 1:30 p.m. ET, bringing the historic venue back into living rooms across the United States.
The event marks more than a personal milestone for Newman; it also revives a historic connection between Dodge and the Truck Series, a relationship that once saw the manufacturer claim multiple championships. As Newman prepares for the green flag, the racing world watches to see whether the veteran can add another chapter to his storied career.