If Dodge is interested in NASCAR Cup return, when could that happen?

Dodge has an impressive history in NASCAR’s top division, which includes five Daytona 500 wins between 1973 and 2008. The blue-chip brand has been around for a while, but its involvement in NASCAR has been sporadic.

The manufacturer left for 16 years following the 1985 season, ending factory support. It made an exciting return in 2001, which lasted until the end of the 2012 season. They even left on top, winning the 2012 NASCAR Cup title with Brad Keselowski. But since then, NASCAR has had three OEMs running in the Cup Series.

But with Ram returning to Trucks in 2026, there is renewed hope that Dodge may be close to a return as well. Officials at Dodge have not said ‘no’ when asked about this possibility, leaving the door open. And the last time a new manufacturer entered NASCAR, they also began with the Truck Series as Stellantis now is with Ram. The brand has made it clear they won’t be content with staying in Trucks without any further expansion, so there is a real chance that a Dodge Cup return is on the table.

What it takes to get on the Cup grid

But if Dodge were to return to Cup, when could that happen? Well, according to NASCAR executive vice president John Probst, there is a hard minimum for that.

“We’re excited that they have interest in the Cup Series,” said Probst in a recent media availability, which included Motorsport.com. “If they decide that they are going to go that direction for us, it’s about an 18-month onboarding process, largely around the submission of the body. There will be – obviously – with a new OEM coming in, some work to be done on the engine so I’d say that 18-month runway would be pretty typical but it would be on the OEM to decide the timing, but the minimum would be 18 months.”

So, even if Dodge were to make that move right now, it wouldn’t happen until at least 2027. One major hurdle that is very different between the Truck Series and Cup Series is the fact that Trucks use spec NT1 engines provided by Ilmor. In Cup, manufacturers will need to develop their own engine program. In stock car racing, Dodge hasn’t done that in nearly 13 years.

“I think the last time that engine ran was 2012,” said Probst. “The core components – the block, the head, the manifold are all still relevant, but as you know, our existing engine builders develop their engines every year so there’s been a gap there so there would be some development of that engine needed.”

Even if Dodge doesn’t go Cup racing, NASCAR is confident that a fourth manufacturer is near. Probst claims they are “very close” with one other OEM and are also having discussions with “one or two others,” but those conversations are in the earlier stages.