Kaulig Racing President Details Fuel Price Woes Amid Iran War

Rising diesel costs force NASCAR team to closely monitor trips and fuel stops.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:38pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the kinetic energy and motion of a NASCAR race, with the cars and drivers blending into a chaotic, colorful scene.The escalating costs of fuel due to the war with Iran are forcing NASCAR teams to rethink their budgets and operations, as they struggle to maintain their competitive edge on the track.Lexington Today

The ongoing war between the United States and Iran has led to a surge in gas prices, directly impacting NASCAR teams like Kaulig Racing. Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice said the conflict has forced the team to take every step possible to save money on fuel, including carefully planning trips and monitoring fuel prices to find cheaper locations.

Why it matters

The increase in fuel prices around the country has put a significant strain on Kaulig Racing's budget, especially as the team returns to the Truck Series this year. With fuel costs already higher than anticipated, the team is having to closely track every expense to stay competitive.

The details

Rice said Kaulig Racing now has a 'traveling group text' where the team plans trips accordingly, waiting an extra day to pick up parts if needed to save on fuel. The team is also closely monitoring fuel prices to determine if they need to fill up their haulers all the way before heading to races. Rice noted that 'every dollar matters' for the team, especially in the Truck Series where their budget is already higher than other teams due to building up their inventory.

  • On March 31, the national average of diesel fuel in the U.S. was $5.401 per gallon.
  • President Donald Trump addressed the nation on the fuel price situation on Wednesday.

The players

Chris Rice

The president of Kaulig Racing, a NASCAR team that fields entries in both the Cup Series and Truck Series.

Ty Norris

The chief operating officer of Kaulig Racing.

Kaulig Racing

A NASCAR team that is back in the Truck Series in 2026 as the anchor team for Ram's return to the sport, in addition to fielding two full-time entries in the Cup Series.

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What they’re saying

“Oh, it's been big. I'll tell you an inside story of us... back in January... we spent a lot of money in fuel running parts here and there, doing this and that. Now we actually have a group text, it's called the 'traveling group text' for Kaulig Racing where we plan our trips accordingly. If we can wait a day and pick up more stuff in a day, we'll do that.”

— Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing

“This is all costing us a bit more than anticipated. We've never run a Truck Series budget. Ty Norris [COO] tells me all the time that he's never seen someone like me keeping track every spoon and fork we buy. But yes, the fuel prices have really put a huge hit into our budget. It is what it is.”

— Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing

What’s next

Kaulig Racing will continue to closely monitor fuel prices and adjust their travel plans accordingly as they navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing war with Iran and its impact on the NASCAR industry.

The takeaway

The surge in fuel prices due to the conflict with Iran is putting significant financial strain on NASCAR teams like Kaulig Racing, forcing them to get creative with their budgeting and logistics to stay competitive in the face of rising costs.