NASCAR insider reveals timeline for potential Dodge to return to Cup Series

The news has already been out for weeks, but how soon are we going to see Dodge return to racing in NASCAR? It is sooner than many fans may think. It will all start with the Truck Series.

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic has been on top of this story since it broke. Bianchi reported the return earlier this season and has since followed up with more details.

NASCAR fans can expect to see Dodge racing in the Truck Series next season. The Ram will return.

“As The Athletic reported in February, Dodge is preparing to return to NASCAR in 2026 in the Truck Series. The manufacturer is then expected to advance to the Cup Series in short order — sources involved in the discussions say anywhere between one to three years is a reasonable timeline. An official announcement on these plans is anticipated sometime this summer.

“Which teams will align with Dodge upon its arrival in Cup is to be determined. Looking at the current landscape, Trackhouse is an intriguing team any new manufacturer would want within its ranks. The team has shown it can win races, nearly won the 2022 championship, plus has a forward-thinking owner in Justin Marks whose approach would benefit a new manufacturer seeking to create an impression.

“It also wouldn’t hurt Trackhouse to leave Chevrolet, where it will forever be underneath the Hendrick Motorsports juggernaut, to be a manufacturer’s flagship team.”

So, there is a lot here. First, the Truck Series. Then, Cup or possibly Xfinity. This will be a process. With that said, there are many options for Dodge throughout the NASCAR national series and the garage.

Dodge returning to NASCAR – Teams to watch

Trackhouse is always brought up when people talk about Dodge returning to NASCAR. There are others like Legacy Motor Club, Haas Factory Team, and even Kaulig Racing who could make the jump.

Ty Norris is at Kaulig and is seen as someone who pushes boundaries. He was at Trackhouse and helped launch that organization and make it what it is now. While the team has close ties to Richard Childress Racing and ECR engines, a chance to be a top-tier organization with Dodge could be intriguing.

A fourth OEM is great. NASCAR should welcome Dodge back with open arms. Hopefully, fans respond in kind and give them a lot of support. I’ll be very interested to see which Truck Series team or teams make the move to Dodge. That is mostly a front bumper cosmetic change with how that platform runs at the moment.

When they make the shift to the Cup Series, that is when realignment will really matter. Imagine if Trackhouse Racing does move to Dodge in 2027 or 2028 and takes Connor Zilisch away from Chevrolet. That might not seem like a big deal right now, but it would absolutely be a major loss for Chevy.