NASCAR mourns Greg Biffle after plane crash kills 7
Pakinomist correspondent Jonathan Serrie reports from North Carolina after a Cessna 550 crashed near Statesville Regional Airport, killing former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina, their two children and three others.
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As Ram starts back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year with the Kaulig Racing team, they are filling one of their five trucks in a first-of-its-kind fashion.
And they’re getting help from UFC boss Dana White to do it.
In partnership with Thrill Sports Productions, Ram is launching “Race For The Seat,” a new reality competition series featuring 15 aspiring drivers to win the chance of a lifetime: to earn a seat in the Ram 1500 race cars on the Kaulig Racing team for the 2026 season.
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Dana White goes around with Matt Kaulig for the “Race For The Seat” series (Kaulig Racing)
Racing fans will watch eight action-packed episodes where contestants will go head-to-head not only on iconic tracks, including Virginia International Raceway and South Boston Speedway, but also show off their chops from it.
“Ram is an iconic American brand and I am excited to collaborate with them on their new reality series, Race for the seat,” White said in an official statement. “This reality show is about finding up-and-coming drivers and giving them a massive platform. The best always come out on top in this type of competition. We need to find the next generation of superstars for the NASCAR truck series.”
White knows a thing or two about competitive reality shows, with the UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” being a huge hit in the mixed martial arts world.
KAULIG RACING, RAM Unveils UNIQUE FREE AGENT PROGRAM FOR 2026 NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
And like that show, White, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis and Kaulig Racing Team owner Matt Kaulig will be as unfiltered as possible with their behind-the-scenes commentary. It will be a true look at what it takes for a driver to make a team, as well as the ownership perspective of what to look for in the perfect driver.
“Race For The Seat is a great opportunity for the next generation of drivers to show what they’ve got,” Kaulig said in a statement. “Working with Ram to bring this show to life allows us to think differently, push the boundaries and give these talented drivers a platform they wouldn’t normally have. I can’t wait to see who gets the spot and joins us on the field.”
Kuniskis added, “We promised Ram would approach NASCAR differently—and Race For The Seat is evidence. Sometimes raw talent is not enough. Many successful careers start with an opportunity, a lucky break – or in my case, a good old fashioned kick in the a-.”
Dana White goes around with Matt Kaulig for the “Race For The Seat” series (Kaulig Racing)
The winner of the reality show will be the fifth and final driver on the Kaulig Racing Team, which already has Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye and Justin Haley on board in 2026.
The fourth driver is also an outside-the-box idea, and it was announced in November 2025 that a unique Free Agent program for the #25 Ram truck for Kaulig Racing would be necessary to allow “the flexibility to bring in talent while keeping fans on their toes.”
There will be a mix of drivers from different racing backgrounds looking to make their mark with the Free Agent program as much as the reality series.
The show will premiere in the US on FOX on January 25 at 12 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming for free worldwide on Ram’s official YouTube channel for the show from Jan. 26-Feb. 6.
Ram announced in August 2025 that Kaulig Racing would be its anchor factory team as it makes a long-awaited return to NASCAR.
15 Kaulig Racing hopefuls for the “Race For The Seat” pose with Dana White, Tim Kuniskis and Matt Kaulig (Kaulig Racing)
Kaulig told Pakinomist Digital in August when the partnership with Ram was announced that it was “a union of shared values.” He said his role as a team owner revolves around thinking differently than others in NASCAR while helping Ram re-establish itself in the sport.
“Now joining together as the anchor team for Ram’s return to NASCAR is both an honor and a responsibility,” Kaulig said at the time. “Together we are poised to set a new standard on race day and in the impact we make off the track.”
