Purchase Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” on iTunes here.

In April, we announced the newest Ram Trucks Brand Ambassador, Cameron Hanes. Shortly after joining the “Ram Family” — Cameron headed to the Kentucky Derby with the Ram Truck Brand to get an exclusive experience at Churchill Downs during Derby Weekend. Here’s an inside look written by Cameron about his experience.

As a newly titled ambassador for Ram Trucks the first assignment in my new role would have been exciting and noteworthy regardless of what it was: appearing at a Ram Trucks sponsored oil change jamboree, canned food drive or car wash. It wouldn’t have mattered to me. Being there representing Ram Trucks would have been an honor. The fact that my first official appearance for Ram Trucks was to be at the Kentucky Derby seemed surreal for a couple of reasons.

First, I love the racetrack. As a teenager I worked for my grandpa Bob during the summer and he was a very successful quarter horse trainer/owner and breeder of premier racehorses in Oregon. I would travel across the northwest with him to racetracks in Idaho, Oregon and Washington where we would stay at the track, sleeping in the horse trailer. I was a “jockey boy” which meant I would work and warm up the horses before the race.

Other than that I’d do chores, clean stalls, feed, brush horses, and more. I loved the track life and loved the horses. I thought I wanted to be a horse trainer like my grandpa when I got older. Given this history it should paint a pretty clear picture of why the Kentucky Derby was a meaningful event for me, aside from the history and pageantry that draws everyone in.

Second, the racetrack brings back the fond memories that I’ve mentioned above but also some bittersweet memories as well. In high school I was a starting wide receiver on the football team and, as you’d expect, Homecoming was a big deal. For the Homecoming game my junior year my grandma Ruby travelled from her and my grandpa’s ranch in eastern Oregon to attend, watch me play and participate in the Homecoming Court as a Prince. After the game and all the festivities I made it home and went to bed. My grandma was staying with us and we all were awoken by a late night phone call from the police. My grandpa had been at a racetrack in Washington and coming home he was killed in a car accident. This was obviously tough for everyone, but it also altered my course of life as I had planned on working with my grandpa after graduating high school, and like him, maybe the horses and the track would have become the focus of my life. As it was, my grandma sold the ranch, horses, the horse trailers, tack, everything.

The trumpet call, or “call to post” that summons the horses to the track, instantly brings back a flood of memories. When I think of the track, I think of the good times with my grandpa.

So, as a horse lover and specifically a racehorse lover, the Derby was amazing. My favorite part of the weekend was on Friday when I had to chance to go to the “backside” of the track. The backside is kind of behind the scenes at Churchill Downs. I was there as dawn broke, where I was able to watch the horses working up a lather on the track, then getting cooled down and washed up after their workout. The trainers were doing what they do, the horses were the amazing athletes they are and the track scene was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. This experience alone for me was worth the trip. There were live broadcasts set up all along the track perimeter on the backside. And even though it was 6:00 a.m., in true Derby fashion, the ladies were dressed to a tee. Beautiful dresses, hair perfect, make up on point and of course the hats. I thought to myself, they must have got up at 2:00 a.m. to get all done up and to the track by sunrise. Impressive work ladies.

Not long after the backside experience I had the chance to interview two Derby jockeys who are sponsored by Ram Trucks. It was really cool getting insight and learning the mindset from participates in the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Also, we did the interview live for Ram Trucks on Twitter and a new platform, Periscope. My favorite question was when I asked the jockeys, “In the Derby, who is gutsier, the horse or the jockey?”

Finally, there’s the Kentucky Derby. A huge crowd, celebrities, passion, tradition, the best race horses in the world; Derby Saturday is something special. A big draw for fans at Churchill Downs was the Ram Trucks photo op, where race attendees could get their photos taken with a beautiful display of roses arranged as a giant Ram Trucks logo with a backdrop framed by a Ram Truck on either side. Photos were emailed free to those who took advantage of it, which was many. Every time I walked by there was a long line of folks waiting to have their Derby experience commemorated. I took advantage of this opportunity myself.

As for the race, it was exciting, which goes without saying. I was pulling for the Ram Trucks jockeys, who were riding three great horses. In the end the favorite American Pharaoh proved the odds right by making a late charge for the finish.

I had an amazing experience at the Derby and can only hope all my future assignments for Ram Trucks measure up. Hope to see you next year at the Kentucky Derby.

On April 30^th, 2015 Ram Trucks announced the brand’s newest Brand Ambassador, Professional Bowhunter Cameron Hanes.

Cameron Hanes is an athlete, a family man and the true definition of a “doer”—which makes him the perfect fit for Ram Trucks.

Cameron’s motivation is infectious – his approach in life is to be the “ultimate predator”. He’s not afraid to push himself to the limits in all aspects of life, while motivating others along the way.

Not only is he upgrading to a Ram Truck, he will also be giving you, the Ram Fans, an inside-look into his definition of living the “Ram Life” – and what that means to him, and how his truck plays a part in his day-to-day life.

We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership and all of the inspiration and adventure Cameron will bring to the Ram Trucks Brand.

Be sure to follow Cameron on all of his social channels to stay updated on this exciting new partnership:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

The Ram Truck brand unveiled a one-of-a-kind Texas Ranger concept truck at the Dallas Auto Show on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.

“The Ram team developed this commemorative concept truck in order to further highlight our relationships with the Texas Rangers and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand.

Throughout both the inside and out, the Ram Texas Ranger concept edition celebrates the Rangers and their iconic silver Lone Star Ranger badge, bringing the legendary spirit of the Rangers to the road.

“Although Rangers are well-known horsemen, today Texans drive more pickups than drivers in any other state in the country,” said Hegbloom.

The Ram Texas Ranger edition was designed as a one-of-a-kind concept that will tour Texas and help build awareness, but officials have not ruled out a possible production run. No timing or pricing for a possible future Texas Ranger edition was announced.

The 2015 Ram 1500 Texas Ranger Concept Truck

The concept truck is painted in a Bright White and Bright Silver Metallic two-tone color scheme finished with silver Texas Ranger badging.

Ram Brand designers have loaded the concept truck with unique Texas Ranger edition accents like the etched Canyon Brown and Tan leather trim and tooled-metal details.

The new center console features the iconic silver Lone Star Ranger badge.

Both the driver and front-passenger seats Feature Texas Ranger sewn-on and etched leather-trimmed seat badges.

Among the most notable Texas Ranger edition accents, four real Mexican five-peso silver coins are inlaid within the wooden portions of the door bolsters.

Texas Ranger edition graphic themes are incorporated in the 8.4-inch Uconnect center console stack.

New Canyon Brown-stained open-pore walnut wood trim pieces throughout the cabin, including the all-new console tambour door.