Dodge will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, the manufacturer announced Monday at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The comeback will begin at the Daytona 500, making Dodge the fourth manufacturer in the Cup Series alongside Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.
Kaulig Racing will field a two-car Dodge team in the series, with AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon expected to drive the entries, according to the Associated Press. The 36-race Cup Series schedule begins in mid-February and crowns a champion in early November.
The Main Development: Dodge’s Return Announcement
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell called the move a turning point for the sport. “Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series is a significant milestone for the sport,” O’Donnell said. “This commitment speaks to Dodge’s belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what’s ahead.”
The announcement comes a year earlier than initially expected. Dodge bypassed part of the typical two-year preparation timeline for Cup Series competition through a partnership with Earnhardt Childress Racing, which will build Dodge-spec engines alongside its existing Chevrolet operations.
Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota allowed that partnership to move forward because they believed adding a fourth manufacturer would benefit the overall health of NASCAR, according to the AP report.
“The partnership between NASCAR, Tim Kuniskis and the entire team at Stellantis has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Ram CEO Kuniskis said. “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.”
What It Means: A Four-Manufacturer Cup Series
Dodge’s return restores a four-manufacturer field to the Cup Series for the first time since the brand’s last full season in 2012. Kaulig Racing, which already competes in the Truck Series, enters 2027 as Dodge’s lone announced Cup entry with its two-car lineup.
Kaulig fielded five trucks this season, and all of them sat outside the top 10 in series standings heading into the season finale at Homestead, Florida. The jump to Cup Series competition with a new manufacturer represents a significant step up for the organization.
Context: Dodge’s NASCAR History
Dodge last competed in the Cup Series through the 2012 season, when Brad Keselowski won the championship driving for Penske Racing. That title was Dodge’s first Cup championship since Richard Petty won the sixth of his seven titles in 1975.
Dodge re-entered the NASCAR Truck Series with its Ram brand in 2026, with eyes on expanding to the Cup Series in 2028.
What’s Next
Dodge’s Cup Series debut is set for the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 36-race 2027 schedule. The season is scheduled to run from mid-February through early November, when NASCAR crowns its next champion.
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