Dodge's 2027 NASCAR Cup return brings a fourth manufacturer to the grid

Dodge will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, a decision that compresses the development timeline by one year compared to earlier industry expectations. The brand confirmed the move on Monday in Las Vegas during the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, a major gathering for the automotive aftermarket.

The 2027 season consists of 36 races, beginning in mid-February and ending with a championship event in early November. Kaulig Racing will operate the initial two-car Dodge entry. The cars, based on the Dodge Charger, are scheduled to debut in the exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. Their first competitive start is set for the Daytona 500 eight days later.

Driver assignments remain unconfirmed, though AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are expected to hold the two Kaulig seats. NASCAR intends to announce the official drivers during the championship weekend in Homestead, Florida.

Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands at Stellantis North America, explained that the team opted for an aggressive strategy. He stated that a three-year development cycle would have been safer, but the brand chose to plan, test, and perfect the car simultaneously. Kuniskis described the approach as exponentially harder but consistent with the brand's history of avoiding a slow pace.

Dodge last competed in the top tier through the 2012 season. The brand departed the series in the same month it won a championship with Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. That victory marked the manufacturer's first title since Richard Petty's sixth championship in 1975.

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell called the partnership a milestone for the sport in a statement. He expressed excitement about seeing Dodge on the track, particularly at the Daytona 500. The path back to the Cup Series followed a re-entry into the Truck Series under the Ram brand in 2026. Although Kaulig's trucks finished outside the top 10 in the standings, the campaign served as a testing ground. Kuniskis said the brand aims to use NASCAR's estimated 20 million fan base to reach 80 or 100 million people.

To meet the accelerated schedule, Dodge partnered with Earnhardt Childress Racing to build Dodge-spec engines alongside their regular Chevrolet operations. The other three manufacturers reportedly allowed this arrangement because they believed a fourth competitor would benefit the series. John Probst, president of NASCAR Event Management, said the sanctioning body is still seeking additional manufacturers. He noted that a new engine platform planned for the 2030 to 2032 window could provide an entry point for other automakers.