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Motorsport, Herren, USA, Dragster Drag Race Vegas Four Wide Nationals Apr 16, 2023 Las Vegas, NV, USA NHRA team owner Tony Stewart during the Four Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Las Vegas The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway NV USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 20230416_mjr_su5_007 | Credits: Imago

via Imago
Motorsport, Herren, USA, Dragster Drag Race Vegas Four Wide Nationals Apr 16, 2023 Las Vegas, NV, USA NHRA team owner Tony Stewart during the Four Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Las Vegas The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway NV USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 20230416_mjr_su5_007 | Credits: Imago
In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, rumors and speculations often swirl around the return of iconic car manufacturers. The latest buzz revolves around the potential comeback of Dodge, a brand that left the sport after the 2012 season. In 2012, Dodge clinched the championship with Team Penske, led by driver Brad Keselowski. Parting ways with Dodge soon after, Penske joined hands with Ford after the Auburn Hills-based automaker refused to give the organization a multi-year deal.
When Tony Stewart Racing entered the NHRA scene, rumors suggested Dodge’s return to NASCAR as a strong possibility. But as it turned out, it was a dead end as they aren’t expanding their motorsports role outside of the NHRA. A year has passed since. The owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) dropped cryptic hints about the team’s future alignment.
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Tony Stewart’s less-than-enthusiastic response regarding the 2024 season
Jordan Bianchi, a prominent motorsports journalist, posed a crucial question to Tony Stewart about SHR’s alignment with Ford in 2024. Stewart’s response was far from definitive but hinted at a possible continuation of the partnership. He stated, “We’re planning on it. We’re contracted for that, so yeah, I’d say we’re probably stay with what our contract says right now.” The response left fans with more questions than answers, prompting them to delve deeper into the matter.
I asked Tony Stewart if Stewart-Haas Racing will remain aligned with Ford in 2024. Stewart's response:
"We're planning on it. We're contracted for that, so yeah, I'd say we're probably stay with what our contract says right now."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) June 21, 2023
The rumours of Dodge’s return to NASCAR have been circulating for years, gaining traction when Tony Stewart announced a partnership between SHR and Dodge to field two NHRA cars in the Camping World Drag Racing last season. This collaboration rekindled hope for Dodge enthusiasts, as Stewart-Haas Racing’s contract with Ford is set to expire in 2024. Many view Tony Stewart as Dodge’s best chance for a triumphant return to the sport, given his successful history with the brand in various racing disciplines.
WATCH THIS STORY: Amid worrying concerns for Tony Stewart following Kevin Harvick’s exit row, Joe Gibbs breathes a sigh of relief
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Fans go haywire with “Dodge” theory following Tony Stewart’s elusive response
The interest in Dodge’s comeback stems from their previous success in NASCAR. Keselowski’s remarkable season included five victories and ultimately secured the title for Dodge. Additionally, NASCAR executives have been actively pursuing the addition of a new manufacturer to join Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota in the Cup Series. Fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a potential fourth OEM, and Tony Stewart’s recent revelation has only added to the intrigue.
Social media erupted with fan reactions to Tony Stewart’s elusive response. One user tweeted, “He dodged it 👀,” expressing surprise and curiosity over Stewart’s avoidance of a straightforward answer. Another fan chimed in, “Would love to see Dodge return and SHR be their team.” The prospect of Dodge making a NASCAR comeback and aligning with Stewart-Haas Racing fueled the excitement among enthusiasts.
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A witty fan quipped, “Sounds like he Dodge’d the question…,” playing with words to highlight Stewart’s evasiveness. The sentiment was echoed by many others, with comments like “Dodge dodge dodge” flooding the online NASCAR community.
That doesn’t sound like he wants to…sounds like he has to.
— NASCARnerd (@nerdNASCAR) June 21, 2023
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Whether or not the cryptic revelation from Tony Stewart leads to a grand comeback for Dodge, one thing is certain – the anticipation surrounding the potential reunion between the iconic car manufacturer and the world of NASCAR remains stronger than ever. NASCAR fans will eagerly await further developments and keep their hopes alive for a thrilling return of Dodge to the racetrack.
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