Dodge Nears Blockbuster NASCAR Cup Series Return in 2027 After 14-Year Absence
Dodge could return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027 after a 14-year absence. A reported partnership with Richard Childress Racing's ECR Engines could help bring the manufacturer back in time for the Daytona 500.
Dodge Motors is reportedly close to returning to NASCAR's premier Cup Series after a 14-year hiatus, with a possible return date set for the 2027 Daytona 500. According to a report by The Athletic, negotiations between Dodge and NASCAR are ongoing but show promise. The return would add a fourth manufacturer to the Cup Series, alongside Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota for the first time since Dodge's departure following the 2012 season.
The unexpected twist in this potential return lies in Dodge's engine supply. Instead of building an engine program from scratch, Dodge is reportedly working with ECR Engines, a Richard Childress Racing-owned operation that currently builds engines for Chevrolet teams. This partnership could expedite Dodge's return to the Cup Series, as developing a new engine typically takes years.
ECR Engines would build engines for both Dodge and Chevrolet under the proposed arrangement, but the Dodge engines would need to have distinct technical differences from the Chevrolet-powered vehicles. NASCAR and the existing manufacturers – Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota – have reportedly agreed to the terms, indicating the potential significance of Dodge's return to the sport.
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