Rumors are rife that Dodge will be returning to NASCAR after a break of more than a decade. The name Dodge is synonymous with American motorsports and muscle. This potential return has generated a lot of buzz, both amongst racing fans and insiders in the industry.
As per reports from Jordan Bianchi of The AthleticDodge could make its return to NASCAR in the NASCAR Truck Series by the season 2025, which would be their first outing since 2016.
Dodge’s NASCAR history dates to the 1950s. The legacy includes 217 Cup Series triumphs. In 2012, the manufacturer won the championship with Brad Keselowski. Dodge and its brand are both notable absentees from NASCAR.
Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that has been able to win championships consistently. Ford and Toyota are also dominant in NASCAR. It has long been anticipated by fans who want more variety in the competition.
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The NASCAR Truck Series appears to be a strategic entry point for Dodge, particularly for their ‘Ram’ truck brand. It is easier to reenter the NASCAR Truck Series due to its lower operating costs, and because it uses spec engines such as the Ilmor Engineering NT1V8. Dodge would be able to develop its program carefully before expanding it into any other NASCAR division.
Ram achieved great success in the Truck Series before, winning the manufacturer’s championships of 2001, 2003 and 2004. Dodge’s return to Truck Series could help it gradually recover momentum on the NASCAR scene.
Bianchi stated, “NASCAR is reviewing Dodge’s submission to field a truck through its ‘Ram’ brand, and an answer is expected soon… While there are no guarantees, sources expect that the league will eventually approve Dodge returning.”
Further, he noted that “Such approvals would have to be given within a couple of months for Dodge to actually test their Ram truck prior to potentially racing on the track next year.”
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There is speculation that Dodge could return to the NASCAR Cup Series after the Truck Series. Bianchi said, “Dodge was in Cup racing from 2001-2012 before it left due to financial issues and the lack of viable teams that would align themselves with them.”
The man added: “People who were privy to these discussions say that Dodge will be returning in the future with the intention of creating a Cup-level program.” The Cup program might be in operation as early as the 2027 or even 2028.
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Dodge’s return to the racing scene coincides with its strategic expansion in the electric car market. The new Charger Daytona SRT includes technologies that may be important as NASCAR investigates future hybrid and electric race platforms.
Although the initial engines used in the Truck Series are traditional Ilmor V8s, an electric vehicle development program, which includes a partnership for a revolutionary solid-state battery by 2026, will allow Dodge to lead NASCAR into the electrification of its racing series if such occurrences occur.