FOX NASCAR‘s broadcast of the Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday might have leaked the news of Stellantis’ RAM Trucks’ entry into the sport. While there is no official confirmation yet, RAM Trucks’ post on X of a big announcement on June 8 might be just that.
Rumors have been doing the rounds of Stellantis’ return to NASCAR next year. When RAM Trucks’ post on X was featured on FOX Sports’ broadcast, one of the hosts mentioned that “anything we can do to have more manufacturers in the sport would be great.”
“We’ll have to see what they’re getting at with the truck that they were showing there.”
Another host also mentioned that he would like to see ARCA driver and YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland race in the Truck Series. The famous automotive icon, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, has been strongly linked to a NASCAR seat, and the arrival of RAM could facilitate this.
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A report from Sports Business Journal addresses this speculation and confirms that something has been brewing in the background for RAM’s entry into the sport, considering the inputs from “four people familiar with the matter and a document seen by SBJ.”
The report stated further:
“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.”
Mitchell has been racing for Rette Jones Racing in ARCA and has made three race starts this season. While other race starts have been planned, they are yet to be announced.
SBJ stated further that it has accessed a document that states that Mitchell will be part of RAM’s team as a driver and brand ambassador. It read:
“A document viewed by SBJ listed McFarland as one of the names slated to be part of the program as a driver and brand ambassador. It was unclear if the document was final, and it’s possible that McFarland’s plans could change. It was unclear whether he’d run partially or full time. Nonetheless, the team is expected to lean on celebrity partnerships and potentially ownership to grow its presence quickly.”
Mitchell’s fan following of 4.4 million subscribers on YouTube outnumbers NASCAR’s following of 1.48 million. Could this be RAM’s strategy to partner with famous racing talent to grow its fan base and popularity when it enters NASCAR’s Truck Series?
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