BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) —
Dodge is roaring back to NASCAR, starting with the Craftsman Truck Series in 2026 under the Ram brand, with eyes on a Cup Series return as early as 2027, per The Athletic. The announcement, expected Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Michigan International Speedway, was hilariously fumbled by Fox Sports analyst Michael Waltrip during Saturday’s Truck Series broadcast. This return marks a seismic shift for NASCAR, which has been stuck with just Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota since Dodge’s 2012 exit. Fans and insiders are buzzing, and for good reason—Dodge’s muscle-car swagger could jolt a sport craving fresh rivalries.
The Ram brand’s Truck Series reentry is a strategic toe-dip, leveraging the cost-effective Ilmor NT1 V8 engine, which eliminates the need for Dodge to build its own powerplant. The series, a proving ground for Toyota’s 2004 entry, offers lower barriers—teams only need a chassis and body, making it ideal for Ram’s return. Sources say Dodge has submitted formal plans to NASCAR, with approval expected soon, allowing testing for a 2026 debut. The Cup Series is the bigger prize, with a potential 2027 or 2028 program centered on the new Dodge Charger. However, Cup racing demands a custom engine, and Dodge is reportedly hunting for an engine partner, per Catchfence.com. NASCAR’s John Probst noted an 18-month onboarding process for Cup, aligning with Dodge’s timeline.
Dodge’s history in NASCAR is a rollercoaster of triumphs and exits. The brand debuted in the 1950s, racking up 217 Cup Series wins, per Newsweek. It left in 1977 amid financial woes but stormed back in 2001 with the Intrepid, spearheaded by Ray Evernham’s team and drivers like Bill Elliott, per frontstretch.com. Dodge’s Truck Series run began in 1995, capturing manufacturer titles in 2001, 2003, and 2004, with Bobby Hamilton Sr. winning the 2004 driver’s championship. In Cup, Brad Keselowski’s 2012 title for Penske was a high note, but Dodge bailed after Penske switched to Ford in 2013, citing costs and a lack of competitive teams. Sterling Marlin’s 2001 Michigan win and near-2002 title run showed Dodge’s potential, but financial hurdles and slim team options led to its 2012 exit.
Now, enter Michael Waltrip, the two-time Daytona 500 champ turned Fox analyst, who couldn’t resist spilling the beans. During Saturday’s Truck Series broadcast, as Ram’s cryptic “06.08.25 #donutday” teaser aired—showing a burnout clip—Waltrip blurted, “You know what I’d like to announce? Cleetus McFarland is going Truck racing!” Oh, Mikey, you lovable loudmouth! The X sphere exploded, with @StartAndParkCar noting Dodge’s show truck at Michigan as a dead giveaway. Waltrip’s slip, tying YouTube star Cleetus McFarland to Ram’s debut, turned a planned Sunday reveal into a Saturday oopsie. Picture Waltrip, grinning like a kid who snagged the last cookie, accidentally igniting a social media firestorm. Classic Mikey—part showman, part chaos agent. But let’s be real: his enthusiasm only amplified the hype.
Dodge’s return is a game-changer, and NASCAR needs it. The Truck Series, sagging in recent years, gets a shot of adrenaline with Ram’s muscle-bound presence, especially with grassroots tracks like Eldora on the schedule, per @Batman424242. Ram’s three manufacturer titles prove it can dominate, and its 2026 entry could lure teams like GMS Racing, which has Chevrolet ties but Cup ambitions, per foxsports.com. A Cup return would shake up the Chevy-Ford-Toyota stranglehold, with Dodge’s Charger Daytona SRT—boasting EV tech—potentially aligning with NASCAR’s hybrid/electric future.
Waltrip’s gaffe aside, Dodge’s reentry is a masterstroke. The Truck Series offers a low-risk platform to rebuild momentum, while a Cup program could restore Dodge’s 2001-2012 glory days. Teams like Andretti Autosport or a revived Michael Waltrip Racing could pair with Dodge, per foxsports.com. With Stellantis backing Ram and NASCAR’s $7.7 billion TV deal, per AwfulAnnouncing.com, the timing’s perfect. Here’s to Dodge bringing the heat—and to Mikey for accidentally lighting the fuse. Buckle up, NASCAR’s about to get loud.
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