Ram’s official 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry announcement has sent shockwaves through motorsports. After a 13-year absence from America’s top racing circuits, the brand is making a bold comeback that could pave the way for something even bigger.
While headlines focus on Ram’s return, the move could be hinting at the potential resurrection of Plymouth, a forgotten American racing icon whose legacy still echoes through NASCAR history.
Plymouth: The Forgotten American Racing Icon
Plymouth once dominated NASCAR’s golden era with legendary cars that defined American motorsport bravado. The Plymouth Superbird, with its iconic aerodynamic nose and towering rear wing, became synonymous with speed and innovation in the 1970s.
Driven by racing greats like Richard Petty, Plymouth models racked up victories and pushed the boundaries of stock car performance.
The brand’s racing DNA ran deep through every victory and championship. Plymouth cars didn’t just compete; they revolutionized what American muscle could achieve on the track. But as decades passed, Plymouth’s presence gradually faded from racing circuits.
The brand was discontinued in 2001, and its racing legacy became overshadowed by Dodge and Ram’s continued exploits. For racing historians and longtime fans, Plymouth remains the “forgotten American racing icon” whose spirit still influences every Stellantis motorsports project today.
Ram’s Return is a New Chapter with Old Roots
Ram’s 2026 entry marks the end of over a decade-long NASCAR absence with an aggressive strategy. The brand unveiled a striking Ram 1500 concept race truck at Michigan International Speedway, featuring aerodynamics inspired by Warlock, Rebel, and RHO models.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis emphasized this transcends mere marketing: “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.”
RAM IS BACK IN @NASCAR. LFG 🏁 pic.twitter.com/LdgDg8405Y
— Ram Trucks (@RamTrucks) June 8, 2025
The company plans to field at least four trucks for the Daytona season opener, potentially expanding to six trucks. This is quite an aggressive approach, given the sport’s dramatic changes in the past decade, signaling Stellantis’s commitment to meaningful impact from day one.
Stellantis executives have made clear intentions to eventually return to the NASCAR Cup Series, though timelines remain uncertain. Their NASCAR truck series entry is a strategic step toward bringing Dodge back to Cup Series competition.
While Ram grabs headlines and Dodge eyes a Cup Series return, Plymouth’s legacy lives on. Every lap turned by Stellantis-backed vehicles pays tribute to Plymouth’s innovation and competitive fire that once defined American racing excellence.