Dodge has officially announced its return to the NASCAR Cup Series, with competition set to begin in 2027. This marks a significant shift in the brand’s timeline, as the return is occurring one year earlier than originally anticipated. The announcement was made during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas on Monday, signaling a renewed commitment to top-tier stock car racing.
The move will restore the Cup Series to a four-manufacturer format. Dodge will join Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota in fielding entries for the 36-race schedule. The season is slated to start in mid-February and will conclude with the championship race in early November. Kaulig Racing is set to field a two-car team using the Dodge Charger beginning at the Daytona 500.
Drivers AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are expected to occupy the seats in Kaulig’s Dodge entries. Their participation will provide a competitive presence for the brand as it re-enters the premier division of NASCAR.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell praised the development in a statement, calling Dodge’s return a significant milestone for the sport. He noted that the commitment demonstrates Dodge’s belief in the series and offers fans another reason to look forward to the upcoming seasons. O’Donnell described the partnership between NASCAR, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, and the Stellantis team as phenomenal, highlighting their deep passion for the sport’s ability to showcase leading global brands.
Dodge’s last appearance in the Cup Series was during the 2012 season. The brand departed in the same month it celebrated its first Cup title since 1975, a championship won by Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. That 2012 victory marked a historic moment, ending a long drought that had lasted since Richard Petty’s sixth of his seven titles in 1975.
Prior to this announcement, Dodge had re-entered the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026 under its Ram brand. The initial strategy aimed at a 2028 expansion to the Cup Series. Kuniskis had previously vowed to approach the return in a disruptive manner, unlike any previous competitor. He expressed a goal to tap into NASCAR’s estimated fan base of 20 million and grow it to 80 or 100 million fans.
The accelerated timeline was made possible by a unique development partnership. Normally, a two-year preparation period is required for a new manufacturer to develop a Cup Series engine. However, Dodge bypassed part of this timeline by collaborating with Earnhardt Childress Racing. This partnership allows for the construction of Dodge-spec powerplants alongside ECR’s regular Chevrolet operations.
The other major manufacturers, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, approved this unique arrangement. They believed that introducing a fourth competitor would benefit the overall health and competitiveness of the racing series. This collaborative effort has allowed Dodge to compress its development schedule and be ready for the 2027 season.
Currently, Kaulig Racing fields five trucks in the NASCAR Truck Series. As the season finale approaches at Homestead, Florida, all five of these trucks are positioned outside the top 10 in the series standings. The brand’s immediate focus is now fully directed toward its Cup Series debut next year.
