Team president Chris Rice has welcomed Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell to Kaulig Racing after the driver secured the final seat in the team’s five-truck NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series lineup for 2026. Tyrrell earned the opportunity by winning Ram’s Race for the Seat reality competition ahead of the season opener at Daytona.
The initiative formed part of Ram’s return to NASCAR, combining a rotating free-agent entry with a fan-driven talent pipeline. Tyrrell claimed the No. 14 Ram 1500 after eight episodes of competition featuring on-track and off-track challenges designed to test performance, preparation, personality, and leadership.
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Chris Rice shared his reaction on X after the winner was confirmed.
“Mini Tyrrell!!! Im excited to welcome @MiniTyrrell to @KauligRacing. Another guy from Virginia like me. Really proud of what he did on and off the track during the challenges, I know he’ll make everyone at Kaulig proud!”
Timothy Tyrrell impressed throughout the series with strong results across disciplines. He won his heat race in Legends cars at Ace Speedway and also delivered a Late Model Stock victory at Virginia International Raceway. He additionally claimed a challenge focused on producing a mock commercial promoting Kaulig Racing and Ram.
The 21-year-old has not yet competed in NASCAR or the ARCA Menards Series. He is set to make his ARCA debut at Daytona with Cook Racing Technologies, preparing for his Truck race a day later. He races in the CARS Late Model Tour, where he won three races in 2025 and finished inside the top five in consecutive years.
Tyrrell also shared his excitement on X after the announcement, which Chris Rice reposted:
“Let’s get to work!!!! 💪🏻 Thank you @RamTrucks & @Kaulig_Trucks for taking a chance on a short track kid with a dream. God’s plan 🙏”
Kaulig Racing’s Truck Series lineup for Daytona now includes: Daniel Dye in the No. 10, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen in the No. 12, Justin Haley in the No. 16, Tony Stewart in the No. 25, and now Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell in the No. 14. The team will debut its full five-truck program in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13 at 7:30 pm ET (100 laps).
Chris Rice praises Race for the Seat finalists as Timothy Tyrrell secures Truck Series opportunity
Race for the Seat featured 15 drivers competing across road courses, short tracks, and off-track challenges over eight episodes for the No. 14 Kaulig Racing RAM truck. Timothy Tyrrell entered the finale one point behind Carson Ferguson before the decisive event at South Boston Speedway.
Tyrrell won his heat race in the Late Model Stock Cars, putting pressure on Ferguson, who needed a win. But Ferguson finished last, handing Tyrrell the overall victory and the full-time Truck Series seat.
Kaulig Racing Chris Rice posed with the four finalists following the finale, and reposted Ferguson’s message on X with praise for the runner-up:
“It was a blast watching you show out and be a leader!!”
Despite missing out on the main prize, Ferguson still earned a major opportunity. The hosts announced that the winner of the final race would receive a one-race Truck Series deal at Martinsville Speedway. Ferguson captured that race, securing a $50,000 prize and his debut in the No. 25 Ram truck later this season.
Ferguson’s Martinsville appearance will mark his first NASCAR national series start, adding another storyline to Ram and Kaulig Racing’s expanded Truck Series program.
Edited by Hitesh Nigam
