“Weird to me you couldn’t get more prestigious drivers”: Fans react as Kaulig Racing reveals drivers list for ‘Race for the Seat’ reality show

RAM’s all-new reality competition series, the “Race for the Seat” for Kaulig Racing Trucks’ seat, has taken its next big step, revealing the names of participants, and fans are already debating it.

RAM and Kaulig on Friday, January 10, unveiled the list of 15 drivers who will compete in the reality show, which will see these drivers battle for a chance to earn a fifth and final seat of Kaulig to run full-time in the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season.

The 15 drivers competing in the show for Kaulig Racing’s #14 seat in the Truck Series are Austin Beers, Mike Christopher, Jr., Mini Tyrrell, Cody Kelley, Casey Kelley, Carson Ferguson, Kade Brown, Ryan Gemmell, Chase Burrow, Jonathan Cash, Tanner Reif, Landon Huffman, Grant Griesbach, Jared Fryar, and Trevor Ward.

As the ‘Race for the Seat’ reality show has generated excitement, the announcement of the 15 participants sparked a wave of mixed reactions on X (formerly Twitter).

Some fans questioned the overall star power of the lineup, mentioning specific drivers who were overlooked. Whereas others quickly shifted the focus toward supporting the drivers who did make the cut.

Here are some of the fan’s reactions:

“Weird to me you couldn’t get more prestigious drivers,” one fan wrote.

“Y’all missed out not having @bubbapollard26,” another fan commented.

 “You missed out by not inviting @TylerRoahrig” a third fan said.

“Good luck to everyone but I’m rooting for Landon Huffman!” a fourth user said.

“Hmm I 👀 a lot of @CARSTour drivers in this photo!  Good luck y’all!” another fan said.

“Pulling for Huffman so we’ll have a Landon at Kaulig again,” a sixth fan said.

What’s special about Kaulig Racing and RAM’s “Race for the Seat”?

Instead of the traditional way teams hire drivers through talent, experience, or racing resumes, Kaulig Racing and RAM’s “Race for the Seat” show turns the driver selection process into a reality-competition format.

15 drivers will lock horns against each other over eight episodes in a series of challenges on and off the track at legendary tracks such as Virginia International Raceway and South Boston Speedway. The winner will earn a career-changing opportunity to race full-time in the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Kaulig Racing.

Kaulig Racing’s “Race for the Seat” premieres on FOX on Sunday, January 25, at 12 pm ET and continues with episodes streaming for free on RAM’s YouTube channel as well as airing on FS1.