Table of Content
Dodge is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, becoming the fourth manufacturer on the grid alongside Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford. This timeline arrives a year earlier than most projections, setting up a rapid turnaround for the upcoming seasons.
Official Announcement and Team Partnership
The return was officially announced at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas on Monday evening, with the new car scheduled for an unveiling at the Snowball Derby in December. The manufacturer will partner with Kaulig Racing, a team that currently runs Chevrolets at the Cup level and also fields a fleet of five Ram 1500s in the Truck Series following Stellantis’s return to that tier ahead of the 2026 season.
Kuniskis noted that critics deemed a one-year return impossible, stating, “Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘watch this.’ Sure, we could spend three years planning, testing and perfecting … or we could do all three in real time, on the track. It’s going to be exponentially harder this way. But slow has never been part of Dodge DNA. LFG.”
Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing, expressed excitement over the partnership, stating, “This is a very exciting moment for both Chris Rice and me. We launched Kaulig Racing a decade ago and have overcome so many challenges together, which makes it even more remarkable to be announced as the anchor team for Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series. What a monumental time to be a member of Kaulig Racing. We realize what a responsibility this opportunity presents to the men and women of Kaulig Racing, and we are ready to rise to the occasion. I am proud of the stability and support this partnership brings to our organization, which allows us to build a winning program for many years to come.”
Technical Setup and Driver Lineup
Although not officially confirmed yet, the Dodge entries will utilize engines built by ECR, which supplies Chevrolet engines to organizations such as Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing, and Kaulig Racing.
Kaulig is also expected to maintain its current driver roster featuring A.J. Allmendinger in the No. 16 and Ty Dillon in the No. 10, with an official announcement anticipated during the Homestead race weekend. The team has secured two Cup Series victories, both courtesy of Allmendinger, at the Indianapolis Road Course in 2021 and the Charlotte Roval in 2023.
Historical Context and Gen-6 Departure
Dodge boasts a rich history in NASCAR stretching back to 1950, capturing manufacturer titles in 1970 and 1975 alongside multiple driver championships. NASCAR icon Richard Petty piloted a Dodge to three of his seven Cup Series titles during the 1970s, and Brad Keselowski secured the 2012 Cup championship in a Dodge during what stood as their final year of competition prior to this upcoming revival.
The brand departed the grid when the Gen-6 car was introduced in 2013, leaving the Cup level with only three manufacturers for over a decade. The current Next Gen car platform is expected to ease the transition, as manufacturers no longer need to construct the entire vehicle from scratch like in past eras, relying instead on NASCAR’s broad network of external suppliers.
