While the prospect of a new OEM sounds exciting, Dale Earnhardt Jr. initially doesn’t sound. Just a few weeks ago, he voiced his concerns about what it might mean for the sport. “I’m not going to like any of it,” Dale Jr. said on his podcast. But what was his biggest fear? Was it just about NASCAR losing its identity? Or was it that the sanctioning body might introduce hybrid engines or further reduce horsepower? For a sport deeply rooted in American racing tradition, these concerns weren’t baseless. NASCAR had already seen horsepower drop significantly over the years. The introduction of the hybrid ABB NASCAR EV prototype during the 2024 Chicago Street Race also raised eyebrows.
The sport was evolving, and Dale Jr. wasn’t sure if that was entirely a good thing. But everything changed when he heard that the American automobile giant might be the new OEM. Suddenly, the skepticism vanished, replaced by sheer excitement. The possible return of an iconic American muscle brand had Dale Jr. jumping like a kid, and for good reason.
Dodge’s return to NASCAR isn’t just a rumor anymore. Reports indicate that the legendary American automaker is seriously considering a comeback. Various media reports suggest they could start in the Truck Series, using their Ram brand as an entry point before moving up to the Cup Series. This strategy would allow them to ease into the sport while refining their operations before taking on the biggest stage. If everything goes according to plan, Dodge could once again be battling for wins in NASCAR’s top division by 2028.
For Dale Jr., this is the kind of news that makes him sit up and take notice. On his latest Dale Jr. Download episode, the two-time Daytona 500 winner couldn’t contain his excitement. “I think this is awesome. Oh man, Dodge has got such a cool reputation. The Dodge Charger from the ‘70s—a beautiful vehicle, historic. The Challenger—a lot of great vehicles come out of that brand. And Ram. Ram trucks, I mean, it’s just a cool brand, so I’m thrilled that they’re considering a return,” he said.
Notably, Dodge has a long and storied history in NASCAR. The brand first entered the sport in the 1950s and quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Their iconic Dodge Charger was one of the most dominating cars in NASCAR history. The car helped King Richard Petty in winning two championships and more than 20 races in just four seasons.
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Over the years, Dodge earned 217 Cup Series wins and even captured the 2012 championship with Brad Keselowski. However, financial struggles and shifting corporate priorities led to Dodge leaving the Cup Series at the end of 2012. By 2016, they had exited NASCAR entirely after wrapping up their truck operations. Now, nearly a decade later, Dodge is looking to return.
Although NASCAR President Steve Phelps wasn’t sure of a timeline, he assured fans there are OEMs coming into the sport. “I don’t know what that timing is; to me, it’s really more about getting it done, making an announcement for a fourth, ideally, we’d have a fifth.”
Even with his enthusiasm, Dale Jr. still has some concerns. A few weeks ago, he warned that bringing in a new manufacturer might come with conditions that could change the sport. “The motivation for a new OEM coming in… what has that got to do with our sales in the United States? In NASCAR, we’ve had V8 engines and carburetors forever… that’s kind of American. You got to be careful about how you evolve away from that,” he had said.
Despite his concerns, the latest media reports suggest that NASCAR might have convinced a few American giants to join the sport. The resurgence of Dodge as a possible manufacturer makes it clear that NASCAR doesn’t have any change of plan in the upcoming years. However, will Dodge be able to get a competitive team on board to fight against top teams? Dale Jr has a solution to this, too.
Earnhardt Jr suggests Jimmie Johnson to ‘Dodge’ Toyota!
Jimmie Johnson led Legacy Motorsports’ transition to Toyota in 2024 hasn’t gone as planned. When LMC switched from Chevrolet to Toyota, the expectations were high. But instead of a breakthrough season, they struggled. John Hunter Nemechek finished the year at a miserable P34, managing only four top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, Erik Jones had one bright moment with a fifth-place finish at Talladega but otherwise had a tough season.
Now with talks of new OEM at an all-time high, Dale Jr. believes that new OEM could be the solution. “If you’re a new OEM, you’re going to have interest from people who don’t have charters—people who want to get into the sport or become Cup teams. If they (a new OEM) come in and say, ‘We want to make you our top dog. We’ll give you the resources to become what you want to be,’ I think that would interest him,” says Dale Jr.
Notably, Legacy Motor Club has struggled to get the same level of support from Toyota that top teams receive. Unlike Joe Gibbs Racing, which benefits from Toyota’s full backing, LMC has been treated more like an afterthought. If Dodge enters NASCAR looking for a flagship team, Dale Jr. thinks LMC should strongly consider making the switch.
However, Jimmie Johnson has said he remains committed to Toyota, but if results don’t improve, he may have to explore other options. For now, nothing is official, but NASCAR fans are on the edge of their seats. If Dodge does return, it could be one of the biggest shake-ups in the sport’s modern era.
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