UPDATE: Dodge’s Return To NASCAR Has Apparently Been Stalled!

Automaker Says It Is NOT Expanding Its Motorsports Role Outside Of The NHRA...

Robert S. Miller October 11, 2022

Brad Keselowski in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in 2012. (Mopar).

For almost a decade, rumors have been swirling about Dodge returning to NASCAR competition. The automaker left the sport after the 2012 season when it won the championship with Penske Racing and driver Brad Keselowski. Soon after, Penske Racing left Dodge for Ford, after the Auburn Hills-based automaker wouldn’t give the organization a multi-year deal.

Brad Keselowski celebrates a win in the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger NASCAR Cup car. (Dodge).

Speculation started again after Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) entered NHRA competition this season with Dodge//SRT factory support. Tony Stewart who is a co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), was sighted as the best chance for the automaker to return, as SHR’s contract with Ford is up in 2024.

Last November, NASCAR President Steve Phelps held a “State of the Sport” address to inform the public about the direction NASCAR is heading towards going into the 2022 season. Taking questions, Phelps was asked about recent rumors about Dodge and other manufacturers entering the sport. “Our three existing OEMs are happy about that,” Phelps said. “Our race teams are happy about that. We’re happy about that. It’s been widely rumored that Dodge is one of those or the closest. I won’t confirm or deny that. It is important. We’ve made no bones about the fact that we want to have a new OEM in our sport. I think we got delayed with the pandemic.”

Brad Keselowski in his 2011 Nationwide No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger Stock Car. (Dodge).

“With that said, we are an attractive place I believe for OEMs to come into the sport. Now is an important opportunity for them to do that because of the Next-Gen car. I also believe the fact that the sport is growing and has a relevance that it hasn’t had in decades is causing some real interest from other OEMs,” he concluded.

But according to the most recent report from Sports Business Journal (SBJ), Dodge’s plans to return to NASCAR have stalled.

The article stated that last year, Dodge held talks with at least one team, the Ford-backed team of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK Racing). Brad Keselowski who became a co-owner in the team in the offseason, is also a driver of one of the team’s cars. It is not surprising that RFK Racing would be in talks with Dodge, considering the struggles the team has had over the past decade and the fact that Keselowski has had a strong relationship with Dodge and Mopar outside of the Cup Series.

Parker Kligerman in his Brad Keselowski Racing No. 29 Ram Dealers Ram 1500. (Mopar).

Growing up in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Keselowski grew up within a stone’s throw of the Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills. His father Bob, ran Mopar race cars throughout most of his stock car career. Brad also went on to form his own Truck Series team before Dodge left the sport, which also had factory support from the automaker.

The article also stated that Dodge told the SBJ last week, that it was not working on expanding into any new series. “Dodge is focused on our NHRA Camping World Drag Racing series efforts and the NHRA ‘Countdown to the Championship’ with Tony Stewart Racing and not expanding our efforts into other forms of racing at this time,” the automaker said in a statement.

SBJ also stated that NASCAR, RFK Racing, and Ford all declined to comment on the situation.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept. (Dodge).

It has been no secret that NASCAR plans to introduce electrification into its future plans. A report from KickinTheTires.net has stated that the Cup Series could alter its new Next-Gen car into gas/electric hybrids for the 2024 season. NASCAR did state earlier this year that it would run an all-electric exhibition series next year, which would have worked in Dodge’s favor with the introduction of the all-new all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee. But recent rumors state that the all-electric series could be delayed.

Source: Sports Business Journal

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justbekuz1 Oct 11, 2022 #1

Let me remind everyone the Dodge horse' left the barn back in 2011 and isn't coming back! Anyone who wished and thought there was a chance for Dodge to return has been using illegal substances! Too many variables have come to the front line, FCA change of ownership, OEM's extensive investments in EV's, too much competition with other professional & college venues, sponsors walking away (M&M for one) and finally the unknown future of the ICE engine in NASCAR (ten year expectancy perhaps) there was no way for Dodge to come back! Perhaps there will be a window if and when EV's being accepted by the NASCAR and their Fans but it may be a chilling reception!

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bill burke Oct 12, 2022 #2

Sure Dodge fans will be disappointed, but NASCAR has lost much of its interest and it has less clout in the market place as a sales generator. Truth be told, Dodge has backed itself into a corner with its electrification program and direction, that in spite of all the hype, is not getting traction with many Dodge fans. Dodge speaks to NHRA support, but what will happen to its Factory Stock program when supercharged Hemi Drag Paks are gone along with the Hellcats. Do they race their turbo sixes? Really!
Dodge has thrown its lot in with the green crowd and with it any chance of Dodges competing in NASCAR or NHRA or anything else that American gear heads enjoy. Dodge is in a bad place and most Dodge loyalists know it.
That Banshee is an interesting concept, but not the car racing vehicle Dodge needs and that reality should not surprise racing fans. NASCAR is also in a bad place. Disappointment looks like the buzz word in Dodges future which is stalled on the electric failure that looms over the whole green movement.
Or maybe if fans speak up and reality sets in, an updated Hemi V-8; saves the day, the brand and American racing as we know and love it. Time to speak up or accept disappointment as a staple for Dodge fans.

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artillerybuff Oct 12, 2022 #3

Right on Bill !

TripleT Oct 13, 2022 #4

Good waste of money. The series is decline, the car don't properly represent the product sold so nearly no brand identity, they need to further develop the Chevy small block like they need a hole in the head. There is zero product development in the retro series, and Challenger outsold all the cars that weren't a freaken Toyota appliance. Keep the money in Grass roots and better advertising

TripleT Oct 13, 2022 #5

Beyond silly...

Both Ford and GM have made bigger commitments to EVs then Dodge... Honda is all EV by 2040 and any one thinks the appliance makers at Toyota are far behind. Half US population will have no option other than EV in that next decade.

Your dogging of the I6 is tiresome.

So you know the Camry doesn't have a GM based V8 in it, no V8 at all, either does Ford as that is matter.

Lets run down to Dodge Dealer in a world where the V8 and the I6 live together on the lot.

So the Hemi has more HP than the I6? No actually less.

So the Hemi has more Torque than the I6? No actually less.

So the Hemi is lighter than the I6? No actually it is quite a bit heavier.

So the Hemi is less complex and cheaper to build? No the I configuration is much simpler and has less parts.

So the Hemi is more efficient? No it so inefficient it nearly impossible to meet regulatory standards.

So the Hemi is smoother? Than a balanced I6...hahahahaha NO.

But does it Sound better? Yeah it sounds better.

So it slower, heavier, less efficient, more expensive, more complicated.... but sounds better? Yes.

But what about the super-charged engine... you mean the one that is not longer compliant in 2 years. Yeah PHEV version of the I6 is quicker, let alone the BEV that embarrasses it. But again it sound better.

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