BROOKLYN, Mich. — Dodge mum or dad firm Stellantis will enter NASCAR racing in 2026 with its Ram model competing within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence with a watch towards going Cup racing within the years past.
Whether or not that’s 2027 or later — 2027 is feasible however could be an aggressive timeline — stays to be seen because the announcement Sunday centered totally on the truck, a a lot simpler elevate than going Cup racing.
With all vans within the sequence utilizing an Ilmor engine and a number of other frequent physique parts, Ram simply wanted to design a nostril, a hood, entrance fenders and a tail for its racing automobile. Ram didn’t announce who will drive its vans nor the groups that can subject its vans. Ram CEO Tim Kinuskis stated he hopes to have someplace between 4 and 6 vans for the 2026 season opener at Daytona.
“We’re in search of a date to the promenade proper now [for trucks],” Kinuskis stated. “So how am I going to get the Cup? That is going to rely upon how I get to truck. So nevertheless we get to truck goes will clearly weigh closely on do I’ve a path to Cup?
“Our intention is to not do a one-hit surprise and go to truck and to not Cup. That is not our plan.”
Ram doesn’t have vehicles so what model of automobile — Dodge? Plymouth’s attainable rebirth? — remains to be to be decided though Dodge has a prolonged historical past within the sport and motorsports as a complete.
“Ram is coming again to the truck sequence,” Kinuskis stated. “It has nothing to do with Dodge, although everybody on the earth calls it Dodge Ram. … If we return to Cup, which is our intention, Ram does not have a automobile, so clearly that must be Dodge coming again.
“However I am not making that announcement. I am not saying Dodge is again. Do not put that headline. However after we get to that time, it would not be Ram, clearly.”
There may be hypothesis within the business that GMS, which has competed in all three nationwide sequence over the past decade and was finally purchased out by Jimmie Johnson within the rebranding to Legacy Motor Membership, might be concerned in constructing chassis and/or fielding vans for Ram.
Kinuskis promised a program that can elevate fan engagement, and YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, who has competed in some ARCA races, has been linked to the Ram program.
Dodge had Cup groups from 2001-12 earlier than exiting the game on a excessive notice with Brad Keselowski successful a Cup title at Crew Penske. When Penske left for Ford, Dodge had bother touchdown a premier group and opted to go away the game. No new producer has entered the game since Toyota did so in 2004 in vans and 2007 in Cup.
Kinuskis additionally stated when he returned to Ram earlier this 12 months, his two objectives had been to reintroduce the Hemi engine and get into NASCAR, the place 50 % of its fan base personal vans.
“It is all the time bothered me,” Kinuskis stated. “We have all the time been in search of a solution to get again. It took us a very long time to search out absolutely the proper time.”
To re-enter Cup would take some engine growth and vital physique design, a course of that may take a minimum of 18 months, NASCAR Chief Racing Growth Officer John Probst stated.
“The final time that engine ran was 2012 — the core elements of the block, the top, the manifold, are all nonetheless related,” Probst stated. “Our present engine builders develop their engines yearly. There’s been a spot there, so there’d be some growth of that engine wanted.
“However from the fundamental constructing blocks they may begin from that and do some catch-up growth.”
Kinuskis wouldn’t speak about a timeline Sunday for going to Cup racing.
“Our full intention is to be again in Cup,” Kinuskis stated. “However proper now we’re on a path for Daytona subsequent 12 months with truck, with our eye on after we may be in Cup after that. TBD.
“We’re a fly with no internet proper now making an attempt to get to Daytona. That is our focus proper now.”
Keselowski, presently a driver and co-owner at RFK Racing, stated the vans are the precise entry level for a producer because it doesn’t have to right away get an engine obtainable and due to the parity within the sequence.
“[The truck series] is a superb place for an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] to enter NASCAR and actually form of get that urge for food going for the Cup Sequence,” Keselowski stated.
“It’s a giant bounce from the truck sequence to the Cup Sequence, however nonetheless it’s an ideal entry level for OEMs, and hopefully they aren’t the one one that can enter the truck sequence.”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and IndyCar for FOX Sports activities. He has spent a long time overlaying motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Comply with him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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