Dodge begins process of gaining approval to rejoin NASCAR Truck Series: Sources
HAMPTON, Ga. — Dodge is eying a return to the NASCAR Truck Series as soon as the 2026 season, with the manufacturer having already begun the process to gain NASCAR's formal approval to join Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota as competitors in NASCAR's third-tier national series, people with knowledge of Dodge's plans told The Athletic.
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NASCAR is reviewing Dodge's submission to field a truck through its 'Ram' brand and an answer is expected soon, sources with knowledge of the plans said. While there are no guarantees, sources expect that the league will eventually approve Dodge returning. Such approval would need to happen within a few months to allow Dodge to effectively test its Ram truck before potentially hitting the track in an actual race next year.
NASCAR declined to comment.
Once a mainstay in the popular Truck Series, Dodge fielded entries from the series' inception in 1995 through the 2016 season before leaving due to costs. In the final few years, Dodge did not officially support any teams; any that competed did so as independents. During this period, Dodge won three manufacturers' championships (2001, 2003 and 2004) and two driver championships with Bobby Hamilton Sr. in 2004 and Ted Musgrave in 2005.
A return by Dodge to the Truck Series would see it enter an environment much different than the one it exited. No longer does each manufacturer develop and build its own engines; each team must use a standardized engine built by Ilmor that helps reduce costs. This rule would bolster Dodge as it would need to construct its own engines, allowing Dodge to focus its attention on developing its own distinct body style, which must meet NASCAR approval.
Dodge potentially coming back, as first reported by CatchFence.com, would be a boon for NASCAR. League executives have spoken openly about wanting additional car companies to compete in its three national series (Cup, Xfinity and Trucks), something it has worked extensively to make happen.
Dodge raced in Cup from 2001 to 2012 before exiting due to financial difficulties and a lack of viable teams willing to align with it. People with knowledge of the discussions said Dodge is returning with the intent to eventually put together a full Cup program. That Cup program could be operational as soon as 2027 or 2028.
Such a plan would be similar to how Dodge last approached entry into NASCAR's premier series — first racing in the Truck Series to gain familiarity, then eventually advancing to Cup when it felt it could at a competitive level.
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