The Rocket Man is back in NASCAR. Ryan Newman is returning to join Kaulig Racing's Free Agent Program at an upcoming short track.
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According to a Wednesday announcement, Newman will take over the No. 25 Ram 1500 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18 (1:30 p.m. ET). He will make his first Craftsman Truck Series start since Eldora Speedway in 2018.
Newman has extensive ties to Dodge. He drove for the manufacturer in the Cup Series from 2003-08 as a member of Team Penske. He scored 12 wins in the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, including the 2008 Daytona 500. He also won the pole 36 times while driving a Dodge.
The connection also extends to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Newman drove a Dodge nine times in 2005. He won six of these races.
Now, Newman will return to the Stellantis-owned Ram brand for his eighth career Truck Series start. He has six top-five finishes in his previous seven starts, which includes a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
And while the racing veteran does not have any NASCAR experience at North Wilkesboro Speedway, he has competed at the track in the Modified ranks. He captured a win at the track in August 2022.
"I'm really excited to get back behind the wheel at North Wilkesboro and to be part of Ram's Free Agent Program," Newman said in a press release.
"It's special returning to a brand I had so much success with early in my career, and racing at Wilkesboro is always cool."
The Kaulig Racing Free Agent Program has featured a wide variety of drivers controlling the No. 25 Ram 1500.
This list includes Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, Corey LaJoie, Ty Dillon, Colin Braun, Jamie McMurray, Travis Pastrana, Parker Kligerman, Clint Bowyer, A.J. Allmendinger, and Carson Ferguson. Conor Daly will take over the entry during the race weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Allmendinger's sixth-place finish at Watkins Glen International is the best finish among these drivers.
