Recently, NASCAR fans have been scratching their heads, trying to figure out what’s behind the mysterious advertisement featured on their website, which shows a Next Gen Cup Car with a Dodge logo across the front bumper. What’s going on, and what does this mean? Dodge has a rich history of success in NASCAR dating back to the 1960s and continuing into the early 2000s.
According to series insiders, the manufacturer is reportedly making a comeback to the NASCAR circuit in 2026. It seemed, towards the end of the early 2000s, that the Dodge and NASCAR partnership had broken away, but not at their fault, due to financial constraints. However, those days are gone. So, get ready because it’s about to get competitive on the track if Dodge returns, as it has been allegedly reported.
Dodge’s History is Embedded Deep in NASCAR’s Roots
In 2001, the car manufacturer attempted to make a comeback with Ray Evernham. Took a leap of faith and fielded the Dodge Intrepid, which went off without a hitch and successfully sent Brad Keselowski on to win the 2012 championship with Team Penske. However, the relationship between NASCAR and Dodge has been significantly broken due to financial constraints. Therefore, 2012 was the last season that a Dodge was fielded on a NASCAR track.
Speaking off of recent developments it has been confirmed that Dodge will be returning to the NASCAR Circuit in 2026 according to sources that spoke to our very own Total Apex Sports CEO Dustin Judge at Michigan International Speedway. The hope is for Dodge to return under the Ram branding and enter the cup series by either 2027 or 2028.
Yet, it all really depends on how fast the paperwork can be processed in order to get the dodge partnership ball rolling. NASCAR veteran and Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. was enthusiastic and spoke out about how Dodge’s return will be pivotal to adding more clout to NASCAR as a sport during a recent episode of his podcast the Dale Jr. Download. Can NASCAR and Dodge come to a mutual agreement and get this show on the road as soon as possible?
“Dodge has got such a cool reputation. They’ve had some ups and downs over the past several decades, but in my eyes, they’re still a true muscle car brand. The Dodge Charger from the 70s, a beautiful vehicle,” Dale Jr. said of Dodge’s alleged comeback to the NASCAR Circuit.
Final Thoughts
There could be a catch 42 to that. Especially because Stellantis, which is the parent company of Dodge and Ram has been hard at work modifying their V8 engine’s power components and working on a state-of-the-art Hemi design slated to be released in 2026 for their renowned Hell Cat line.
However, is this work behind the scenes a signal that something bigger is coming? Sources at Michigan International Speedway are saying yes. The whole idea behind this is huge for because reentry of this iconic could shift competition in the Circuit tenfold.
