It's been seven years since NASCAR veteran Elliott Sadler competed in a national series race, but that is set to change this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
Sadler is set to become the 13th different driver to get the opportunity to run a Craftsman Truck Series race through Kaulig Racing's "Free Agent Program". The 2026 season is Matt Kaulig's team's first in the Truck Series, and they brought Ram Trucks back to the series for the first time since 2016. Ram had not previously provided factory support for any Truck teams since 2012.
The 51-year-old native of Emporia, Virginia hasn't run a Truck Series race since 2011, and he hasn't run one at Richmond Raceway since 2001.
Elliott Sadler set for long-awaited NASCAR return at Richmond
His most recent national series start at Richmond ironically also came with Kaulig Racing during the 2019 Xfinity Series season. He ran just one more race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that year and hasn't been back in NASCAR at all since.
Kaulig Racing no longer runs in the Xfinity Series (now O'Reilly Auto Parts Series), having given that up, at least for the time being, following the 2025 season to focus on the new Truck program.
Sadler's first two Truck Series starts both came at Richmond with Long Brothers Racing in 2000 and 2001, although he was knocked out of both races with mechanical issues. His top finish at Richmond, a third place effort, came in the Xfinity Series in 2016.
Conor Daly is the most recent driver to have run a race behind the wheel of the No. 25 Kaulig Racing Ram, finishing 26th at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park three weekends ago. The truck's top finish of the year is a sixth place effort at Watkins Glen International in May, courtesy of full-time Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger.
Others to have driven the No. 25 Ram this year include Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon, Colin Braun, Corey LaJoie, Carson Ferguson, Parker Kligerman, Clint Bowyer, Travis Pastrana, Jamie McMurray, and Ryan Newman.
The Black's Tire 250 is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 from Richmond Raceway starting at 7:30 p.m. ET this Friday, August 14. Begin a free trial of FuboTV and don't miss any of the action from Elliott Sadler's return!
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