The Rise, Fall, and the Return of Dodge to NASCAR

For decades, three words have defined American motorsports: Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. While the blue ovals and bowties have continued their NASCAR legacies into the modern era, Dodge — once a thunderous force on both the oval tracks and speedways — has been absent since 2012. Yet despite over a decade away from the sport, the legacy of Dodge in NASCAR is anything but forgotten. In fact, the whispers of their return grow louder each year.

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Muscle and Mayhem: Dodge’s Early NASCAR Roots

Dodge made its name in NASCAR during the 1950s and ’60s — the golden era of stock car racing. Their cars were raw, fast, and built to dominate. Models like the Dodge Charger Daytona, complete with its signature aerodynamic nose and towering rear wing, didn’t just turn heads; they turned laps faster than the competition. In a time when engineering innovation and sheer horsepower ruled, Dodge delivered both in spades.

By the early 1970s, Dodge was a staple of the sport. Drivers like Buddy Baker and Richard Petty took Mopar machines to victory lane, and fans embraced the grit and muscle of the brand. But as economic pressures mounted and the cost of competing at NASCAR’s highest level skyrocketed, Dodge began to pull back. By the end of the ’70s, the roar of Dodge engines faded from the Cup Series altogether.

The Modern Era: Redemption and One Last Title

Dodge’s resurrection came in 2001 after a nearly two-decade hiatus. With Ray Evernham — the famed former crew chief of Jeff Gordon — leading the charge, the manufacturer re-entered the sport with modern firepower. The Dodge Intrepid was their initial ride of choice, later replaced by a reimagined Dodge Charger. Big-name drivers like Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Kurt Busch brought Dodge back to relevance with race wins and playoff appearances.

Then came 2012, the high point and also the heartbreak. That season, Brad Keselowski, driving a Dodge Charger for Penske Racing, captured the NASCAR Cup Series Championship — Dodge’s first title in over 35 years. It was a moment of triumph… and farewell.

Shortly after the champagne stopped flowing, Penske announced it would be switching to Ford for the 2013 season. Dodge, left without a top-tier team, made the difficult decision to withdraw from NASCAR entirely. The reasons were clear:

• Penske’s departure left a gaping hole in Dodge’s competitive structure.

• Dodge struggled to secure another elite-level organization willing to take on their program.

• Internally, Fiat’s recent acquisition of Chrysler prompted a company-wide shift in priorities.

And just like that, after reaching the pinnacle of the sport, Dodge walked away.

The Return of Dodge: More Than Just a Brand

Since their exit, fans and insiders alike have speculated about Dodge’s return — and it’s not all wishful thinking. In recent years, NASCAR executives have confirmed ongoing conversations with Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company, about rejoining the Cup Series. The interest is mutual.

But of course there will be challenges. NASCAR’s Next Gen car, introduced in 2022, features a unified chassis and parts system that manufacturers must buy into. Any new entry would also need strong technical alliances and teams willing to commit to a long-term project. Meanwhile, Stellantis (who owns Chrysler) has its eyes on broader global strategies, including EV development and electrified motorsports, which could complicate a return to a gasoline-powered series.

Still, the buzz never died. NASCAR wants a fourth manufacturer, and Dodge remains the most logical — and most wanted — choice.

And now, the comeback for Dodge's triumphant return seems to have officially begun.

In June 2025, Stellantis announced that Ram Trucks will return to NASCAR competition starting in the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series season. It marks the brand’s first national series involvement in over a decade and signals what many believe is the first step toward a full Dodge resurgence across all three NASCAR levels. The Ram 1500 race truck will be fielded by multiple teams, with manufacturer backing and engineering support already in motion.

It’s a move that reintroduces Mopar machinery to the NASCAR garage — and more importantly, to the fans. While it’s technically Ram — not Dodge — on the nameplate, the DNA and message are clear: the Chrysler/Stellantis performance brands are putting boots back on the ground.

For longtime NASCAR fans, Dodge represents more than horsepower. It’s a symbol of the sport’s rugged past and a reminder that comebacks are always possible. In an era where the sport is evolving rapidly, Dodge's return would be more than nostalgic — it would be a statement that tradition and innovation can still meet on the track, and soon we will see it all to pass.