NASCAR is slowly making several changes that can accommodate a new manufacturer, who is rumored to join them soon. To allow a new OEM to join the NASCAR ship, they will need to have parity in terms of resources and power, and this is exactly what the officials are trying to do.

Martin Truex Jr’s race car will have an axel torque sensor for the race at Richmond. It’s the first-ever test on the Next Gen car and has attracted a lot of attention ahead of the race. Brad Keselowski was asked about his opinion on the engine test by Bob Pockrass, to which he said that such a move could allow other OEMs to join the sport soon, along with other merits.

Is NASCAR working behind the scenes with Honda?

Honda’s arrival in NASCAR is now beginning to sound like more than just a rumor. While there has been no official word regarding the talks of a fourth OEM joining the sport, NASCAR’s actions in testing and planning suggest otherwise. Owing to these surprise tests, Keselowski feels that the data obtained by them will open the doors for other OEMs to join the sport, along with other important aspects of tuning the race car engine.

“I understand the initiative and why it’s being attempted for cost-cutting measures, which eventually could lead to more OEM entries. Which potentially could lead to a larger investment in the sport that grows the sport for all its fans,” Keselowski told Bob Pockrass.

He went on to add, “I think primarily you can use that data to even out the power levels of the car across the manufacturers and a lot of different engine architectures to be used in the sport, which is a big deal, and then potentially to cut some development costs and, to a point, add some mileage.” Last month, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported that NASCAR has been chasing Honda for a long time.

Stern reported, “NASCAR has also been chasing Honda for years and remains in discussions with the automaker, according to a person familiar with the matter.” Around the same time, Honda & Acura Motorsports Manager Chuck Schifsky also had his say on the matter.

In an email Schifsky wrote, “As part of our role managing American Honda’s motorsports programs, we need to investigate all forms of motorsport here in the U.S., and as a part of that process, educate ourselves on what race fans are looking for. With that said, we have nothing new to report in terms of our future motorsport direction.”

Honda is a part of the NTT IndyCar Series, but it has been reported that it is considering an exit after 2026 unless costs are reduced. This could pave the way for a move to NASCAR. What will delight those hoping for Honda to land the NASCAR deal are the comments of veteran motorsport reporter Marshall Pruett.

On his podcast, Pruett said, “I would say for anybody who’s followed the Honda thing a little bit in however many years past and seen it pop up here, keep following. If you’re a Honda fan and you like NASCAR, you’re probably going to be really happy in the future.”

NASCAR has been looking to add a fourth manufacturer to join Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet after Dodge moved out in 2012.

The recent axle torque sensor development is well within the predicted timeline of what John Probst had initially stated for a new OEM to join in. Going by the current state of affairs, Honda could very well be in the works to make their arrival in 2026.

Honda could potentially enter NASCAR as early as 2026

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For a new manufacturer to join the premier stock car racing series, they have to undergo numerous tests and a lengthy process. Probst, who is NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, laid down the timeline through which Honda can join as the fourth OEM.

“A timeline for a new OEM coming into our sport is somewhere in the 18–24 month period. When we work with our existing partners, it is important for us to make sure the new partner coming in would be a complement… We are within a few months of us getting to the point where you almost start running out of time to go through the steps that we have today. If all stars align, it is possible you could do it quicker than 18 months,” Probst said via Sportsnaut.

As far as starting the procedure and testing are concerned, NASCAR seems to have started with its preparations. It will be interesting to see their next course of action, which can drop even bigger hints about Honda inching closer to joining NASCAR.

Read More: Amid Honda Rumours, NASCAR Could Welcome a New Engine Manufacturer Earlier Than Expected