Dodge is officially returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, ending an absence that began after the 2012 season. The manufacturer announced its comeback on November 2, 2026, at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, confirming a two-car partnership with Kaulig Racing.
The move restores Dodge as NASCAR's fourth Cup Series manufacturer alongside Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. According to NASCAR's official announcement, the program is scheduled to begin points-paying competition at the Daytona 500 on February 21, 2027.
The announcement marks a major milestone for the sport, although important preparations remain before Dodge's new Cup Series cars reach the starting grid.
Why Dodge's NASCAR Comeback Matters
Dodge has a long history in American stock-car racing, including championship campaigns and victories involving some of NASCAR's most recognizable drivers.
Its most recent Cup Series participation ended in 2012, when Brad Keselowski captured the championship driving a Dodge Charger for Team Penske. That season also delivered Dodge's 217th Cup Series victory, achieved by Keselowski at Dover Motor Speedway in September.
During its previous modern Cup Series run from 2001 through 2012, Dodge recorded 57 victories. Its departure left Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota as the championship's three manufacturers.
As NASCAR's historical overview explains, Dodge's involvement stretches back decades, making the 2027 return another chapter in an established racing legacy rather than an entirely new entry into the sport.
The competitive significance extends beyond nostalgia. Adding a fourth manufacturer introduces another factory-backed program into NASCAR's premier championship, with implications for team partnerships, technical development and manufacturer competition.
It will be the first new manufacturer entry into the Cup Series since Toyota joined in 2007. However, the announcement itself provides no evidence that Dodge will immediately match the competitive performance of NASCAR's established manufacturers.
How Kaulig Racing Fits Into Dodge's Return
Kaulig Racing will serve as the anchor team for Dodge's return, fielding two Dodge Charger entries in the 2027 Cup Series.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Kaulig Racing and Stellantis, Dodge's parent company.
In 2026, Stellantis brought its Ram brand back to NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series through Kaulig Racing. That program featured five full-time trucks and appearances by established drivers, including Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman.
The existing truck operation gives the organizations a working relationship in NASCAR competition, although Cup Series participation introduces additional technical and competitive requirements.
In Kaulig Racing's official partnership announcement, team owner Matt Kaulig emphasized the long-term significance of the agreement and the organizational support it provides.
Dodge SRT Racing will oversee the manufacturer's broader motorsports involvement, including its NASCAR program.
The two-car Cup Series commitment is confirmed. Any additional entries would require separate verification rather than being treated as part of the announced program.
What Remains Before Dodge's 2027 Debut?
Although the manufacturer agreement is official, Dodge and Kaulig Racing still face several milestones before their first Cup Series race.
One of the most important involves NASCAR's technical approval process.
John Probst, president of NASCAR Event Management, said Dodge had completed the wind-tunnel portion of its body testing. Production body panels were expected to undergo additional checks in mid-November 2026.
Those steps are intended to establish that the new body meets NASCAR's required performance parameters. Completing wind-tunnel testing should not be confused with final approval of every production component.
The engine arrangement also remains an important area to monitor. Probst said the engine planned for Dodge's return complies with NASCAR's rulebook, but the manufacturer did not disclose the complete configuration during the announcement.
Associated Press reporting identified an arrangement involving Earnhardt Childress Racing to develop Dodge-spec engines. However, the official NASCAR announcement left the detailed engine plans for Dodge and Kaulig Racing to disclose.
Driver assignments are another outstanding question. AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon have been identified in reporting as the expected drivers, but the official 2027 lineup had not been announced as of November 3.
Kaulig Racing plans to reveal its driver lineup during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Until that announcement, expected assignments should not be presented as finalized contracts or confirmed seats.
Dodge has also scheduled the unveiling of its new Cup Series race car for December 4, 2026, during the Snowball Derby festivities at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. The presentation is expected to be livestreamed through FloRacing and the NASCAR Channel.
When Will Dodge Return to the Track?
The official 2027 NASCAR schedule places the preseason Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 21.
The Clash is a non-points exhibition event, while the Daytona 500 will mark Dodge's planned first points-paying Cup Series appearance since 2012.
Daytona Speedweeks also includes the qualifying races known as the Duels on February 18, ahead of the season-opening championship race.
With the manufacturer return confirmed, attention now shifts to Kaulig Racing's driver announcement, Dodge's December race-car presentation, the completion of technical approvals and the team's preparations for Daytona.
Those developments will provide a clearer picture of the new program before Dodge begins its next chapter in NASCAR Cup Series competition.
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