Dodge officially set to make NASCAR Cup Series return in 2027

Finally after years of speculation, Dodge is officially set to make their NASCAR Cup Series return in 2027 with Kaulig Racing.

From their first press conference at Michigan International Speedway in 2025, to building their five-truck fleet with RAM and Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series thereafter, Dodge has ramped their NASCAR program up quickly.

Statement from Dodge/Stellantis

Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance and Direct Connection division, Stellantis North America, shared the news during a sneak preview of the Stellantis display at the 2026 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

For Dodge, the message is simple: gasoline-powered performance is back at the center of the brand, and Dodge is heading back to NASCAR Cup Series racing.

“Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘watch this,’” said Kuniskis. “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.”

Dodge’s storied history in NASCAR Cup has helped shape, mold and push the series forward, from the first Dodge NASCAR Cup win in 1953 to a championship for the No. 2 Blue Deuce Dodge Charger in 2012, the brand’s final year in Cup.

Today, that story begins a new chapter.

Statement from Kaulig Racing

“This is a very exciting moment for both Chris Rice and me. We launched Kaulig Racing a decade ago and have overcame 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,” Founder and Team Owner Matt Kaulig said in a statement released online.

“We realize what a responsibility this opportunity presents to the men and woman 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. I want to thank Antonio Filosa, Tim Kuniskis, Nate Buelow, Tom Sacoman and all of the driven Stellantis employees believing in us.”

Statement from NASCAR

“Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series is a significant milestone for the sport,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said in a statement.

“This commitment speaks to Dodge’s belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what’s ahead.

“The partnership between NASCAR, Tim Kuniskis and the entire team at Stellantis has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have a deep passion for NASCAR and its ability to showcase the world’s top brands, and we can’t wait to see Dodge on the racetrack for the DAYTONA 500 and beyond.”

As of now, NASCAR has not extended any new OEM provisional charters to Dodge. It is expected they will use the two existing charters from Kaulig Racing only at this time.

Dodge Benchmarks and Hurdles to Cup

While the announcement feels like a breath of fresh air to Mopar fans, the real work begins now.

Stellantis has established its presence in NASCAR racing this season with its five entries in the Craftsman Truck Series. They will continue to do so for their second consecutive season under the RAM umbrella in 2027.

As Kuniskis indicated, the return of Dodge follows an expedited schedule under which NASCAR already has approved the Charger body for next season.

On a Zoom call with reporters on Monday night, NASCAR President of Event Management John Probst said the typical timeline for a new OEM is 18 months.

“I think we’ve done it a little bit more abbreviated,” Probst said of Dodge’s entry, “because there was a notice of submission of a Dodge, and then it went quiet. And then it picked up a lot of steam very quick, so we were able to combine a lot of the milestones.

“It’s still a year or more process to go through the whole thing, so this one came right up against it. We’ll have those production panels in a little under two weeks, so we’ll be done with our season.

“They’re certainly not going to have a ton of time to prep cars and get ready for the Clash (Wheatley Vodka Clash exhibition race on Feb. 13 at Daytona), but this was done about as fast as fast as we can do it once they decided to go.”

The Timeline to Cup Racing

First, during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kaulig Racing will announce its driver lineup for the 2027 season.

Then, all of the test bodywork will be finalized for its approval by NASCAR. So far, Dodge is speculated to be using ECR engines instead of their own for 2027 and that relationship will be finalized around the same time.

The swift approval of Dodge allows for the manufacture to partake in the full slate of offseason testing. They can go to the Goodyear tire tests even without the full Dodge body panels, while designs approved, not completely manufactured yet.

Next for the brand is their exposition. The 59th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, is where Dodge will hold The Dodge Sno-Brawl.

Celebrity drivers will take to the track in a head-to-head challenge in equally prepared Dodge Charger late-model stock cars for some friendly competition. Additional race details will be announced at a later date. Dodge will also reveal the race car that will wear the brand’s livery in NASCAR Cup Series competition

Fans can watch the reveal of the new Dodge stock car at the 59th annual Snowball Derby via livestream on FloRacing and on the NASCAR Channel courtesy of Flo Racing on Dec. 4.

Finally, after all the approvals and tests, Dodge will officially be on track for the first action of 2027 at the Clash at Daytona in February.