Report: Dodge aiming for return to NASCAR in Truck Series

NASCAR has received a formal submission from a manufacturer aiming to join the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026, Chris Knight of Catchfence reported Sunday.

That manufacturer is Dodge, which hopes to join Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota in the Truck Series next season.

“According to sources, Dodge is the leading candidate to return to the sport, marking a comeback after its 2016 departure with the RAM brand, though the manufacturer had withdrawn official support after the 2013 season,” Knight wrote in his report.

Dodge has a storied history in the Truck Series, capturing the manufacturers’ championship three times (2001, ’03 and ’04). Bobby Hamilton Sr. won the driver’s championship in 2004.

In addition to possibly rejoining the Truck Series, Dodge has interest in returning to the Cup Series. According to Knight, Dodge is searching for an engine manufacturer to provide power for a potential return to Cup in 2028. It exited the sport in 2012 after Brad Keselowski piloted the Team Penske Dodge No. 2 car to a championship.

Dodge aiming for NASCAR return; Is Chevrolet on its way out?

As Dodge aims for a NASCAR return, Chevrolet faces uncertainty in the sport. Chevrolet stopped producing the Camaro at the end of 2023, which will soon have an effect on the auto brand’s presence in NASCAR. Chevrolet-based Cup teams have been using the Camaro body since 2018 and that is continuing in 2025 — albeit without Camaro branding. It does appear that the ZL1 badge is still on the car. So, it’s a Chevy ZL1, no Camaro.

General Motors and Chevrolet have a big decision to make for 2026 and beyond. Do they keep Chevrolet in NASCAR, or will another GM brand come into the sport?

Cadillac and GM are getting into Formula One in 2026. That is a big move for the manufacturer as America will now have a vested interest in the global racing series. So, could GM put Cadillac in NASCAR? They already race in IMSA, WEC and sports car racing. Stock car racing is the redneck cousin to sports cars.

Chevrolet has had a historic run in NASCAR, with 81 championships across Cup, Xfinity and Trucks. 43 have come in Cup and the names who have reached the mountain top in a Chevrolet are some of the sport’s biggest names: Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.

But when it comes to the future of the sport and making it more attractive for Honda, Hyundai, or whoever is thinking about joining – Cadillac draws more eyes than Chevrolet.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.