Dodge Returns to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027

Dodge will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, a move that arrives one year earlier than most industry analysts predicted. The brand confirmed the timeline on Monday in Las Vegas during the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.

This re-entry restores a four-manufacturer field in the top tier. Dodge joins Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota for a 36-race season that begins in mid-February and ends with the championship race in early November. Kaulig Racing selected to field the initial two-car team. The cars, based on the Dodge Charger, will debut in the exhibition race known as the Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. Their first competitive start is the Daytona 500 eight days later.

Driver assignments remain unconfirmed, though AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are widely expected to hold the two seats. NASCAR plans to announce the official drivers during the championship weekend in Homestead, Florida.

Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands at Stellantis North America, described the accelerated schedule as a high-risk strategy. He explained that a three-year development cycle would have been safer. Instead, Dodge chose to plan, test, and perfect the car simultaneously on the track. Kuniskis called this approach exponentially harder but consistent with the brand's history of speed.

Dodge last competed in the Cup Series through the 2012 season. That final year ended with a championship victory for Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. It was the brand's first title since Richard Petty won his sixth championship in 1975.

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell called the partnership a milestone for the sport. He cited the passion of the Stellantis team and expressed excitement about seeing Dodge at the Daytona 500. The path back to the top tier was tested in the 2026 Truck Series campaign under the Ram brand. Although Kaulig's five trucks finished outside the top 10 in series standings, the effort served as a testing ground. Kuniskis stated that Ram aims to use NASCAR's estimated 20 million fan base to reach 80 or 100 million people.

To meet the tight timeline, Dodge partnered with Earnhardt Childress Racing to build Dodge-spec engines alongside their regular Chevrolet work. The other three manufacturers reportedly supported this unique arrangement because they believed a fourth competitor would benefit the series. John Probst, president of NASCAR Event Management, said the sanctioning body is still seeking additional manufacturers. He noted that a new engine platform planned for the 2030 to 2032 window could offer an appealing entry point for other automakers.