NASCAR in talks with Honda, seeking new manufacturer

A new manufacturer could be joining the NASCAR Cup Series in the near future, according to Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal.

Many have wondered when we’d see a fourth manufacturer join Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford in the Cup Series, and a candidate has arisen. Evidently, we could see Honda make the jump and enter the competition soon.

Talks are ongoing, and of course this weekend’s event at Daytona will be critical, but negotiations are reputedly going well between the parties involved.

“NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell says negotiations to add a new auto manufacturer for competition are ‘heating up.’ The racing series starts its 2024 regular season this weekend at Daytona, and it’s NASCAR’s biggest weekend not only for things like viewership and attendance but also with hosting high-level corporate titans including those from automotive brands,” Stern wrote. “NASCAR has been searching for over a decade to find a fourth manufacturer, or what the industry refers to as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to join Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.

“Dodge left the sport in 2012, though it held talks about re-entering around 2022. NASCAR has also been chasing Honda for years and remains in discussions with the automaker, according to a person familiar with the matter.”

It would be fascinating to see Honda join the world of NASCAR, if it comes to fruition. While many have theorized the easiest way to get to four manufacturers would just be Dodge returning to the fold, a brand new brand choosing to join the Cup Series would certainly be an interesting development,

Continuing, Honda & Acura Motorsports Manager Chuck Schifsky was asked about the possibility earlier this week of entering the NASCAR world.

“As part of our role managing American Honda’s motorsports programs, we need to investigate all forms of motorsport here in the U.S., and as a part of that process, educate ourselves on what race fans are looking for,” Schifsky wrote, via Stern. “With that said, we have nothing new to report in terms of our future motorsport direction.”

Both parties don’t want to give too much away, especially if it’s not a done deal between the Cup Series and Honda, but the fact that talks are ongoing should excite fans. Now we can start thinking of which teams would be the best fit for the new manufacturer, and which drivers would be willing to cultivate a new relationship.

It’s going to be a fascinating ride, but it’s evident we’re closer to a new manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series than we’ve been for a long, long time.