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By Saajan Jogia
Sports Contributing Writer
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Stellantis' RAM Trucks has officially announced its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry. The news arrives amid intense speculation of the brand's entry into the sport. RAM Trucks' social media post of an imminent announcement on 8 June had people guessing.
Newsweek Sports reported the comments made in FOX Sports' broadcast of the Truck Series race in Michigan on Saturday. The brand's post from X teasing the big announcement was aired live as a host said:
"Anything we can do to have more manufacturers in the sport would be great."
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"We'll have to see what they're getting at with the truck that they were showing there."
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Now, RAM Trucks has released an official statement, announcing its NASCAR arrival. It reads:
"For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR. The desire was always there, but we didn't have a plan that delivered the last tenth and following just didn't fit our DNA," said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram. "Now we have a solid plan that will set us apart from the field and will bring fresh new interest and engagement to America's Motorsport."
He added:
"There will be more details on our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program later this year. We are undoubtedly having fun with this project, and I truly look forward to sharing information on our team and how getting back on track relates to the future of Ram performance."
The release continued:
"Ram returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a major moment for the sport, and a sign that NASCAR remains a strong platform for blue chip brand partners," said John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We are excited to welcome Ram back to the sport. Its identity includes high performance, durability and innovation – characteristics that embody NASCAR and, specifically, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series."
Newsweek also shared a report by Sports Business Journal earlier before the announcement, which confirmed through "four people familiar with the matter and a document seen by SBJ" that RAM Trucks was gearing up to compete in the Truck Series. Additionally, the report stated:
"Stellantis' Dodge brand exited NASCAR after the 2012 season, and NASCAR has been working for over a decade to add a fourth automaker back to the sport. It hasn't had a new one join since Toyota started out in the Truck Series in 2004.
"Stellantis is said to be likewise initially looking to re-enter the sport through the Truck Series as soon as next year, though nothing has been announced. The company and people that would form its new team have been in talks to enter NASCAR as soon as next year."
RAM Trucks' post on X dropped a big hint. The video showed a RAM Truck doing a burnout, but as the truck drove off and the tire smoke cleared, a racetrack gradually emerged in the background, which suggested the brand's entry into the racing series. Connect the dots, and the NASCAR Truck Series seemed like the obvious destination.
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