Dodge Returns to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, One Year Ahead of Schedule

Dodge drivers will return to the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2027, accelerating the brand's timeline by one year from its original plan. The announcement means fans will see a Dodge Charger on the grid for the 2027 season, which kicks off in mid-February.

Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands at Stellantis North America, revealed the return at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas on Monday. This move brings the number of manufacturers in the Cup Series back to four, joining Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota in a 36-race schedule.

Kaulig Racing will manage the Dodge entries, fielding a two-car team. The cars are expected to debut in the exhibition Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2027, before competing in the Daytona 500 eight days later. AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are expected to fill the driver seats, with a formal announcement planned for NASCAR's championship weekend in Homestead, Florida.

Kuniskis emphasized the aggressive pace of the return, noting that others believed a one-year turnaround was impossible. “Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘Watch this,’” Kuniskis said. He explained that while they could have spent three years planning and testing, they chose to do all of it in real time on the track. “It’s going to be exponentially harder this way. But slow has never been part of Dodge DNA,” he added.

Dodge last raced in the Cup Series in 2012, exiting the sport in the same month it won its championship with Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. That title marked the brand's first Cup win since Richard Petty secured his sixth championship in 1975.

The accelerated timeline was made possible by a partnership with Earnhardt Childress Racing. The team will build Dodge-spec engines alongside its regular Chevrolet operations, allowing Dodge to bypass part of the standard development timeline. The Athletic reported that the other manufacturers supported this arrangement because they viewed a fourth brand as beneficial for the series' health.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell praised the commitment in a statement, calling it a milestone for the sport. “This commitment speaks to Dodge’s belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what’s ahead,” O’Donnell said. He noted that the partnership between NASCAR, Kuniskis, and the Stellantis team has been phenomenal, driven by a shared passion for using motorsports to showcase top brands.

Dodge previously re-entered NASCAR's Truck Series in 2026 under the Ram brand, with plans to expand to the Cup Series. Kuniskis stated that Ram aims to tap into NASCAR's estimated 20 million fan base and grow it to 80 or 100 million. Kaulig Racing ran five trucks this season, and all are currently outside the top 10 in the series standings heading to Homestead.

John Probst, president of NASCAR Event Management, said the sanctioning body continues to seek additional manufacturers. He noted that an appealing entry point for new brands could align with a new engine platform scheduled for release between 2030 and 2032.

Probst highlighted the commercial value of the platform for automakers. “The North American car market is probably one of a handful in the world that there’s money to be made on car sales,” Probst said. He added that using motorsports to connect with fans and customers makes NASCAR a prime location for brands looking to sell vehicles.