Ram Announces 2026 Return To NASCAR After Reviving HEMI V8s

Ram enters a new motorsport era.

The cherished Ram nameplate of American trucks is entering a new chapter, as Stellantis has confirmed that for the 2026 model year, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine is returning to the Ram 1500 as a result of overwhelming customer demand. Coinciding with the exciting announcement for automotive enthusiasts is the announcement that a new chapter is opening for the Ram brand in the motorsport world, as Ram is returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.

The brand is returning to the iconic American motorsport series after a thirteen-year hiatus, amidst a flurry of 25 product launches in 18 months. Launched with the reveal of the new Ram 1500 NASCAR Concept and a “Ramdemption” campaign, the return to NASCAR is a symbolic celebration of the revival of Ram’s V8-powered truck lineup, with a legacy that includes vehicles like the Ram TRX and the Ram SRT-10, which set a 2004 Guinness World Record at the time as the world’s fastest production truck, with a top speed of nearly 155 mph.

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A race car driver in a racing suit stands holding a helmet in front of a red and black Ram truck powered by HEMI V8s on a racetrack at night.

A man wearing a racing suit and helmet sits in the driver's seat of a NASCAR Ram, looking out through the window netting.

A monster truck jumps over a pickup truck on a racetrack at night, with large flames shooting up in the background—hinting at the excitement of Ram NASCAR return and roaring HEMI V8s in 2026.

A Goodyear blimp flies against a cloudy sky with the message "HEMI IS BACK" displayed on its side, celebrating the return of the legendary HEMI V8 powered Ram to NASCAR.

A black and red Ram race truck with a powerful HEMI V8 engine, sporting the number 25, is parked on a NASCAR track near the start/finish line.

A black and red Ram race truck with the number 25, powered by HEMI V8s, drives alone on a lit NASCAR racetrack at night, with empty grandstands in the background.

A red and black Ram NASCAR racing truck with powerful HEMI V8s sits on an asphalt track with yellow lines, featuring a “CRAFTSMAN” banner on the windshield.

A black and red RAM NASCAR racing truck with "CRAFTSMAN" and "RAM" branding is parked on a track between two yellow lines, viewed from above.

A black and red RAM race truck powered by a HEMI V8 is parked on an asphalt surface with yellow lines, viewed from above and behind.

A red and black Ram NASCAR race truck, powered by a HEMI V8, is parked on an asphalt track under a clear sky, with "CRAFTSMAN" displayed on the windshield banner.

A rear view of a red and white Ram NASCAR race truck with "Direct Connection" branding, featuring powerful HEMI V8s, parked inside a garage facing a racetrack.

Close-up of a red and black NASCAR race car featuring the powerful HEMI V8s, with the front left Goodyear Eagle tire and NASCAR logos visible under a covered area.

A Ram race truck with the number 25 and sponsor logos is parked on a NASCAR track at night, empty grandstands in the background.

A red and black Ram race truck with the number 25, powered by one of NASCAR’s fierce HEMI V8s, drives on a lit racetrack at night.

Close-up of a race car's rear side, featuring a Goodyear Eagle tire, "Direct Connection" and Mopar logos, part of a stylized graphic, and hints of its powerful HEMI V8 engine, parked on a racetrack.

The concept race truck, shown off in a two-tone livery comprised of Gloss Black and Molten Red, brandishes a prized V8 engine under the hood, with the ability to rev to an incredible 9,000 rpm. After announcing the return of V8 power to its production truck lineup, Ram is ready to take on one of the most iconic stages in American motorsport with its V8 revival in the form of Ram’s return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026, marking a new era for a legendary truck nameplate.

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