For the past five years, NASCAR’s closest ties to the EV conversation came not on the track but in the boardrooms of its partner manufacturers. Automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and most recently Stellantis’ Ram brand have been navigating a dilemma amidst federal regulations, consumer demand, and motorsport heritage, all three having contrasting demands. Regulations push for cleaner EVs, consumers increasingly want EV options, and racing fans expect the traditional roar of those powerful combustion engines. Fans have been left wondering how their favorite racing brands will adapt, and Ram’s latest move might have answered it.
Ram’s trucks have always been a popular choice among NASCAR’s fan base. Despite their brief absence from the Truck Series, the brand has maintained its pull. In 2023, Stellantis unveiled the Ram 1500 Revolution concept at CES in Las Vegas, pitching it as a flagship in the EV transition. Yet the truck’s release date slipped repeatedly, a signal of internal hesitation. “We expected the EV truck wave to crest by now, but consumer adoption hasn’t kept pace,” auto analyst Sam Fiorani had said. That slowing trend opened the door to speculation, where all eyes are now on Ram’s next steps.
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A pivotal turn in Ram’s NASCAR playbook
On September 12, Stellantis confirmed that Ram is canceling its all-electric pickup project. “As demand for full-size battery electric trucks slows in North America, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. The announcement marks a reversal from earlier promises. Moreover, it also positions Ram as the first major U.S. truck brand to publicly abandon an all-electric full-size offering. For NASCAR fans skeptical of EVs, it signals a manufacturer listening to their traditional base instead of forcing change too quickly. But the move was not without compromise.
Rather than scrapping electrification entirely, Ram will pivot toward what it calls an “extended-range electric” pickup. This would blend a gas engine with electric power. The company announced the model will launch in 2026 as the “Ram 1500 REV,” replacing its previous “Ramcharger” branding. This approach mirrors hybrid strategies already proving popular with Ford’s F-150 PowerBoost and Toyota’s Tundra i-FORCE MAX.
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“It allows us to deliver electrification benefits without requiring consumers to give up the capabilities they value most in a truck,” Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis explained earlier this year. For racing audiences, that means Stellantis is aligning its products with a consumer group that values horsepower, towing, and endurance over silent acceleration alone. This goes to show the effect new leadership has had.
New Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has already dialed back several of his predecessor Carlos Tavares’ aggressive EV initiatives. Filosa pledged in July to make “The tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth.” By shelving the full BEV pickup, Stellantis avoids costly investments. Contrastingly, Ford’s Lightning and GM’s Silverado EV have struggled with slower sales. It also provides breathing room for NASCAR’s Ram loyalists, who had voiced concerns over whether the company’s electrification push would alienate its traditional truck customers.
The only question now is if Ram’s extended-range truck can strike the right balance between innovation and tradition. NASCAR itself has only just begun experimenting with hybrid technology in test cars, with no full-electric models on the horizon.
For now, Stellantis’ recalibration reassures fans that the roar of combustion will remain, even as attention turns to speculation about Ram’s 2026 NASCAR program and the potential return of drivers like Hailie Deegan.
Speculations rise about possible Ram’s NASCAR return for Deegan
Hailie Deegan, once one of NASCAR’s most promising young drivers, left the national stock car scene after a challenging tenure in the Xfinity Series. After racing full-time with AM Racing in 2024, Deegan transitioned to the Indy NXT series in 2025, seeking new opportunities outside NASCAR. Her departure marked the end of a chapter that began with success in the ARCA Menards Series, where she had been recognized for her speed and potential to become a star in stock car racing. Now the news is, she might just return to NASCAR soon after that bittersweet exit.
Back then, Deegan’s exit left several questions about her future in NASCAR. This was especially true with the driver market shifting and new talent emerging across the Truck and Xfinity Series. ThorSport Racing, where she previously drove, and Niece Motorsports, which recently underwent driver changes, are among the teams with potential opportunities in 2026. Meanwhile, manufacturers and teams, including Ram, are evaluating strategic expansions that could create openings for drivers with proven marketability and racing pedigree. Amongst these possibilities, her return to Ram has been a hot topic online.
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Despite some skeptical reactions, the rumors have gained traction, with several teams reportedly considering Deegan for 2026. ThorSport Racing, which Deegan previously drove for, may have an opening in the No. 98 truck. Additionally, Niece Motorsports has potential vacancies following recent driver changes. However, the most significant speculation centers around Kaulig Racing’s new five-truck operation with Ram. Given Deegan’s sponsorship backing and marketability, she could be a strong candidate for one of these seats.
As of now, there have been no official announcements regarding Deegan’s return to NASCAR. However, the growing speculation and potential opportunities suggest that a comeback is a possibility. Fans and industry insiders alike will be closely monitoring developments as the 2026 season approaches