One full-time ride remains for Kaulig Racing’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program as part of Dodge’s long-awaited return to the sanctioning body.
Fifteen competitors from the short-track ranks will compete for that opening.
To determine who gets to race in Kaulig’s No. 14, Ram Trucks unveiled “Race for the Seat,” a reality television show that will see drivers test their skills at tracks like South Boston Speedway and Virginia International Raceway. The program will also provide a behind-the-scenes viewpoint as competitors make their case for a full-time ride.
Those participating in “Race for the Seat” possess diverse backgrounds on their respective resumés. Making up the roster are competitors from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ARCA Menards Series, CARS Tour and NASCAR’s Weekly Series.
“Race for the Seat” debuts Jan. 25 on FOX, with the remaining episodes airing on Ram’s YouTube channel through Feb. 6. Below are the 15 drivers set to battle it out for an opportunity to drive in the Truck Series on a full-time basis.
Austin Beers — During the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Austin Beers became the youngest champion in series history by earning two victories and never finishing outside the top 10. Consistency has followed Beers since he made his Modified Tour debut in 2021, as he has amassed five wins, 32 top fives and led 1,183 laps.
Mike Christopher Jr. — The son of Modified Tour driver Mike Christopher and nephew of Modified legend Ted Christopher, Mike Christopher Jr. is continuing his family’s proud racing heritage. Christopher Jr. earned his lone Modified Tour victory in 2022 and finished 13th in his Truck Series debut last year.
Mini Tyrrell — Despite being just 21, Mini Tyrrell has established himself as a seasoned competitor on the CARS Tour with 88 starts. His most recent full-time campaign was his best with three victories in total, including a $50,000 payday in the Throwback Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Cody Kelley — The reigning track champion at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway, Cody Kelley has carved out a successful career in Late Model Stock Cars primarily in South Carolina. Kelley has also excelled when racing outside his home state, as he set the fastest time for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 last year at Martinsville Speedway.
Casey Kelley — Like his twin brother Cody, Casey Kelley is a respected Late Model Stock competitor in South Carolina with a championship at Florence on his resumé. Casey has also proven himself against stout competition; he scored a top-five finish in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 in 2024.
Carson Ferguson — Versatility has always been part of Carson Ferguson’s identity. He was the first to win a championship in the Dirt Nationals, Asphalt Nationals and Road Course World Finals in a Legends car in 2014. Ferguson now primarily competes in dirt-track events across the Southeast, earning two major victories in 2025.
Kade Brown — Kade Brown’s Late Model Stock accomplishments have accumulated with track championships at Hickory and Florence, plus victories in each facility’s crown-jewel events. Brown has been full-time on the CARS Tour since 2023; he earned a career-best points finish of third last year.
Ryan Gemmell — Primarily known for his success in vintage cars divisions like the NASCAR Classic series, Gemmell made his ARCA Menards Series debut with Joe Nemechek last year at Watkins Glen International. Gemmell has showcased his road-course expertise in all three of his ARCA Menards Series starts with no finishes outside the top 10.
Chase Burrow — Since breaking into Late Model Stocks at the turn of the decade, Chase Burrow has raced across his home state of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina looking to gain experience. Burrow’s patience and tenacity paid off last year when he obtained his first CARS Tour victory at Virginia’s Langley Speedway.
Jonathan Cash — One of the most experienced drivers on the “Race for the Seat” roster, Jonathan Cash’s career has seen him compete in Late Model Stocks, ARCA Menards Series East and USAR Pro Cup Series. Cash now finds himself in the Southeast competing full-time in Modifieds. He won in August at Coastal Plains Raceway.
Tanner Reif — With his younger brother Tyler joining Niece Motorsports’ NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program for 2026, Tanner Reif seeks to find his way onto the grid. The elder Reif has primarily competed in the ARCA Menards Series West during the 2020s, claiming three victories.
Landon Huffman — Motorsports has always been part of Landon Huffman’s life, as his dad Robert Huffman is a five-time NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series champion. The younger Huffman has carried on his family’s success by winning a track title at Hickory and finishing second in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 in 2023, among other accolades.
Grant Griesbach — Although Grant Griesbach has been competing primarily in the Midwest since the mid-2010s, the 2025 season proved to be his best to date. Griesbach earned wins in the Midwest Truck Series and picked up his first major Super Late Model victory at Wisconsin International Raceway, all while gaining more experience against quality fields.
Jared Fryar — Throughout his career in short tracks, Jared Fryar has established himself as a quietly efficient competitor. He is one of two drivers to win championships in two CARS Tour divisions alongside Carson Kvapil and is coming off a career year in the platform’s Late Model Stock class, where he tallied three victories and six top fives across seven starts.
Trevor Ward — Every year in Late Model Stocks, Trevor Ward has gradually improved against the best of the discipline. His accomplishments include both a ValleyStar Credit Union 300 and Virginia Late Model Triple Crown title in 2023. Ward narrowly missed his first track championship last season at South Boston.