Dodge will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, ending a 14-year absence from the top level of American stock-car racing.
Dodge, owned by the multinational corporation Stellantis, made the announcement Monday. Kaulig Racing will switch from Chevrolet Camaros to Dodge Chargers for its two-driver lineup, currently comprised of AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon.
“Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘Watch this,'” Stellantis North America senior executive Tim Kuniskis said in a statement. “Sure, we could spend three years planning, testing and perfecting … or we could do all three in real time, on the track. It’s going to be exponentially harder this way. But slow has never been part of Dodge DNA.”
Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota have been the only manufacturers involved in the NASCAR Cup Series since Dodge left after the 2012 season.
Brad Keselowski drove a Dodge when he won the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, Lee Petty, Rusty Wallace and Bobby Allison are among the NASCAR greats who drove Dodges. Dale Earnhardt even made his Cup Series debut in a Dodge in 1975 before finding most of his success with Chevrolet.
“Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series is a significant milestone for the sport,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said in a statement. “This commitment speaks to Dodge’s belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what’s ahead. The partnership between NASCAR, Tim Kuniskis and the entire team at Stellantis has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have a deep passion for NASCAR and its ability to showcase the world’s top brands, and we can’t wait to see Dodge on the race track for the Daytona 500 and beyond.”
