It was 2012 when NASCAR saw four manufacturers compete in its races. And after almost a decade of no new OEM, all tracks are leading to one tactical decision for the motorsports organization: Possibly re-introducing a manufacturer it has ties with for 75 years now. Your hint? Names like Lee Petty, Bill Elliott, and Brad Keselowski all share a connection with this one. Yep, I am talking about the OEM that has a storied past with NASCAR, experiencing emergence, dominance, resurgence, and victories and championships; I am talking about the Dodge.

Back in 1950, Dodge entered the NASCAR landscape and quickly climbed the success ladder with Petty behind the steering wheel, bringing them their maiden victory in 1953 and maiden championship win a year later. While the OE had exited and returned to the NASCAR landscape multiple times in between and already won races and championships with other drivers, no success came close to the popularity that Elliott’s No. 9 brought.

He first left his father’s favorite, Ford, to join hands with Dodge and Ray Evernham in the 2000s, and today, any stock car racing enthusiast will hear Dodge when Bill’s name is mentioned. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” was so popular with his fans that despite not winning a race in seven years until the Pennzoil Freedom 400 at Homestead-Miami in 2001, he still won NASCAR’s MPD award for 10 straight years to make a total of 16.

When the American automaker returned to NASCAR in 2001 after a 16-year hiatus under crew chief Evernham, Mike Helton, Senior VP of the sanctioning body had mentioned, “Dodge’s return will increase competition, and certainly make it deeper.” Today, after 26 years, the same situations stand as the NASCAR President Steve Phelps believes car manufacturers around the globe will think “‘Wow, how about NASCAR? That’s interesting for us’” after its recent growth in the last few years. And seems like Dodge is already knocking on its HQ doors in Daytona, Fl.

NASCAR’s quest for a fourth manufacturer to join Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota in its top racing series is no secret. The idea has been in discussion for years. Now, Phelps has reassured, “We have an OEM that is close.” With NASCAR entering a new season, speculation has grown. Reports confirm that NASCAR has received an official submission from a manufacturer. While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest that Bill Elliott’s legendary manufacturer Dodge is on the verge of joining the sport. The latest media reports suggest that NASCAR has received a formal request from a manufacturer to join the Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. According to NASCAR Insider, Dodge is one that is willing to make a comeback.

Notably, the use of the Ilmor spec engine in the Truck series could be pivotal for Dodge to join the sport. It allows smooth entry for new manufacturers in the series. Additionally, NASCAR’s ongoing cost-cutting measures could make entry even more appealing. Dodge’s most dominant era came in the 1960s when the introduction of the 426 Hemi engine made them nearly unbeatable. However, NASCAR later banned the engine, which led to their first exit from the sport.

Nearly two decades later, Dodge made a blistering comeback in NASCAR with 1988 Cup series champion Bill Elliott. Driving the No. 9 Dodge, Elliott helped reestablish the brand with pole position at the 2001 Daytona 500 and wins at the 2002 Brickyard 400. The manufacturer saw success in the 2000s, winning races and even securing a championship with Brad Keselowski in 2012.

Top Comment by Jumbo

Bill Elliotts legendary make was ford not dodge. His championship was with ford. Most of his wins were in a...more

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However, when Penske switched to Ford in 2013, Dodge lost its strongest partner and was forced to exit the sport. Now, a decade later stage is set for a grand return. A successful Truck Series entry could be the first step toward Dodge re-entering the Cup Series in the future which it exited after Brad Keselowski’s 2012 championship chase in Dodge No. 2. In fact, according to Chris Knight of Catchfence, the automaker is already in search for an engine manufacturer so they can make a comeback in the 2028 Cup Series. As NASCAR looks toward the future, its plans for sustainability and electrification could also play a role in attracting new manufacturers.

Could EV push help new manufacturers?

While Dodge’s potential return is making headlines, another major shift is happening– the NASCAR Impact Initiative. The sporting body is very keen to achieve its sustainability goal and is pushing for an electric engine. The sport has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2035, and recent steps suggest that an all-electric NASCAR series may not be far off.

In 2024, NASCAR displayed its first electric race car prototype at the Chicago Street Race. This wasn’t just a concept—it was a fully functional EV designed for actual competition. The project is backed by Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, and ABB, signaling that manufacturers are taking the transition seriously.

Talking about the initiative, John Probst, NASCAR’s Senior VP and Chief Racing Development Officer said, “As you know, we look towards net zero operating emissions for us by 2035, so at this point, I’m not sitting here saying we’re going to announce a series. That’s not what this is about.” He added, “(It is about) exploring what our future could be. We built this car. We put it on track. That is our point, is to learn,” he said. “We’ll have a story tell as we learn. And we’ll be in the driver’s seat wherever our future takes us.”

With the organizing body pushing toward electrification, some believe a new manufacturer could enter the sport through this avenue. Automakers like Tesla, Rivian, or Hyundai might join NASCAR if an electric series gains traction.

The Cup Series’ hybrid technology could also attract new manufacturers. Will NASCAR eventually go fully electric? Will we expect an electric hum or will the roaring of the engines continue? Or will NASCAR create a branch for EV racing? While Dodge leads the race to become NASCAR’s next manufacturer, the EV movement continues to grow.