A NASCAR insider has the latest on Dodge making its return to NASCAR Cup Series. Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic shared details on which teams would sign with the car manufacturer for the Cup Series once the manufacturer makes that jump.
“Dodge has had conversations with several parties representing teams, both existing and prospective, including at least one current Cup organization,” Bianchi wrote. “The consensus within the garage is that Dodge would be best served by aligning with an already operational team that knows the ins and outs of NASCAR, helping to mitigate the typical issues that inevitably arise when a new manufacturer comes in. Expect substantial movement on this soon.”
On June 8, NASCAR announced that Ram (previously part of Dodge) would return to NASCAR for th 2026 Truck Series season. At the time, John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said the process of Ram’s return gained momentum at the end of the third quarter of the 2024 fiscal year.
More on Dodge’s return to NASCAR
“I know that this is something that we have been talking about for a long time, and it’s something that we don’t get to do very often,” Probst said in a press release. “I think the last time we did this was over 20 years ago when Toyota entered our sport, so this is something that is a big moment for our entire sport and our existing competitors, potential new competitors, our OEMs.”
Ram spun off as a separate brand of Dodge in 2010. The last time Dodge competed in the NASCAR Cup Series was in 2012, when Brad Keselowski won the title for Team Penske in a Dodge Charger. Dodge Ram celebrated three manufacturer titles in the Truck Series (2001, 2003-2004) during its first run, which ended in 2013.
In June, Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on Dodge returning to NASCAR. “It’s really neat to see RAM come back to the Truck Series,” Harvick stated, via Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. “They were always such a big part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and everything that happens and has happened with it through the years. So they just, I mean — it’s just NASCAR. They’re just a NASCAR brand. I don’t know why they ever left. 13 years ago. I’m happy that they’re back.
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