“The sport needs about four, maybe five OEMs to be kind of its max healthy position.” Brad Keselowski emphasized this a few months ago. NASCAR began as a battleground of nine manufacturers in 1949. By 2012, that number dwindled to three when Dodge left the sport following Keselowski’s Championship. With the rapid evolution of the global automotive market, NASCAR risks fading into irrelevance. However, the winds of change are afoot.

The sport’s executives have touted the prospect of a fourth OEM joining the grid for a decade. Constant speculation and debate have accompanied this topic, with many in the community clutching at straws. But for an update directly from the top executive of NASCAR, keep reading!

NASCAR’s conversation is getting serious

Well, we have been hearing this for a long time. Frankly, the OEM discussion has not turned into any material gains yet. However, with prominent insiders of the sport chipping in, a fourth OEM may not be a distant reality. Many experts recently hinted at Honda being a potential candidate. With the Japanese automaker rolling up its operations in IndyCar, rumors are narrowing down on Honda. Even Brad Keselowski expressed his eagerness for a new OEM, despite his existing loyalties to Ford. No definitive claim can be made about Honda or any other possible manufacturer. Yet, according to NASCAR president Steve Phelps, they are just around the corner.

In a recently uploaded video by Racing America, Steve Phelps broke down NASCAR’s stance on the matter. Phelps clarified that the negotiation is getting stronger: “Are we having discussions with several manufacturers, auto-manufacturers? The answer is yes. There are a couple that are a little further along than others… Will they join us in the future? I don’t know. But the discussions are very active, I will say that.” At the same time, Phelps declined to comment on candidates: “There have been lots of articles written as of late, kind of talking about who those OEs are. I’m not going to get into that particular point.”

Switching to a fourth OEM involves a complex process. This includes major marketing activation from the companies and commitments to build engines for and share other proprietary technology with teams. But most importantly, NASCAR needs to keep its existing OEMs satisfied. According to Steve Phelps, that is already a non-factor, as Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota are opening their arms wide. “I do think our existing three OEs are very encouraged and want additional OEMs to come into this sport. That, to me, is important.”

Yet Steve Phelps still threw up a cloud of smoke on the prospect. “What that looks like, when they come – it’s still up in the air. I hope we can get the fourth OE across the finish line soon, maybe a 5th after that. Again, we still have a lot of work to do and we’re digging hard on it.”

NASCAR is clearly opting not to outline an obvious line of action yet. However, we can seek out clues about the future in other crucial developments.

Trending

1

NASCAR Star Drops Life-Changing Announcement as Racing Community Melts Over Welcome Surprise

2

3x Daytona 500 Champ Left in Tears Accompanying Tony Stewart’s Rival Into the Motorsport Hall of Fame

3

Richard Petty’s Son Betrays the King’s NASCAR Legacy With Humble Dale Earnhardt Claim

4

Kyle Larson Uncovers Welcome $18 Million Surprise Amidst NASCAR’s Michael Jordan Lawsuit Tussle

5

Kyle Busch Bags Another Deal as $700M Partner Extends More Lifeline After Iconic Sponsor’s Exit

Keeping pace with the rest of the world

We are well into the third decade of the 21st century. That means a greater push towards greener technologies, given the rising issue of climate change. Formula One already has a fully electric racing series, Formula E, which kicked off in 2011. NASCAR is entering the global conversation step by step by studying EVs and hydrogen racing. When officials rolled out the Next-Gen car in 2022, they designed the vehicle so it could eventually change from internal combustion engines to hybrid engines. Although such an engine modification has yet to enter the sport, a hybrid conversation is developing. Last year, NASCAR introduced its first ABB EV prototype vehicle at the Chicago Street Race.

A switch to hybrid engines may entail costly R&D, making teams hesitant. However, being technologically relevant is the foremost objective of NASCAR in its quest to hunt for new OEMs. That is what NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell said: “I wouldn’t say it’s definitely on the table but the engines and engine architecture is certainly a big topic for us with our existing (OEMs) and potential (OEMs) coming into the sport and that would mostly revolve around some type of hybrid model, so I would say that we’re in the exploration phase but also looking as you’ve seen with electric, hydrogen.”

However, this move hasn’t been met with satisfaction from the NASCAR community. In a sport built by its roaring engines and the smell of burning fuel, a switch to EVs threatens to take the essence away from the sport. 2014 Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick shared his views after the EV display at the 2024 Chicago Street Race, saying, “There’s really nothing about a race car that doesn’t make noise that has any excitement for me.”

While EVs remain a distant priority, all current efforts are focused on roping in a fourth OEM into the sport. Although we need to wait a bit longer, NASCAR is dropping some encouraging hints. Who do you think the fourth OEM is going to be? Let us know in the comments!