Dodge Is Returning to NASCAR Cup Racing, With a Race Car Reveal Set for Dec. 4

Cory Fourniquet |

Nov 3, 2026

Covered Dodge NASCAR Cup Series race car under the lights before its Dec. 4 reveal — Dodge is keeping its new NASCAR Cup Series race car under wraps until its Dec. 4 reveal at the Snowball Derby. (Photo by Dodge)

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It is official: Dodge is heading back to NASCAR Cup Series racing. Dodge NASCAR fans have waited since 2012 for this, and the brand announced the comeback during a preview of the Stellantis display at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The message from Dodge is simple. Gas-powered performance is back at the center of the brand, and it plans to prove it on the track. Better yet, fans will not have to wait long to see the new race car, because Dodge plans to reveal it on Dec. 4.

Why the Dodge NASCAR Return Matters

A modern Dodge Charger beside a classic Charger, a nod to Dodge NASCAR heritage — *A modern Charger parked next to a classic Charger, a reminder of the muscle car history Dodge is bringing back to the Cup Series. (Photo by Dodge)*

Dodge has deep roots in NASCAR’s top series. The brand earned its first Cup win in 1953, and its last Cup season in 2012 ended with a championship for the No. 2 Blue Deuce Dodge Charger.

Tim Kuniskis, who leads Stellantis’ American brands, SRT Performance, and Direct Connection, admitted the timeline is aggressive. Rather than spend years planning, Dodge will learn in real time on the track. As he put it, “slow has never been part of Dodge DNA.”

Kaulig Racing Becomes the Anchor Team

Dodge Charger with Tinted Dual Stripes, the model behind the Dodge NASCAR comeback — *The Charger nameplate carries Dodge’s performance image, from showrooms to the racetrack. (Photo by Dodge)*

This comeback builds on work that is already underway. Ram returned to NASCAR competition with Kaulig Racing, and Kaulig will now serve as the anchor team for both Dodge and Ram.

Meanwhile, a group called Dodge SRT Racing will lead the effort. It oversees all of the company’s North American motorsports programs, including NASCAR and NHRA drag racing.

The Road to the 2027 Season

Yellow hood stripe on a Dodge Charger Super Bee, a Dodge NASCAR era performance car — *Dodge’s bold Super Bee styling hints at the attitude the brand wants to bring back to NASCAR. (Photo by Dodge)*

Dodge laid out several key moments leading into the 2027 season:

NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway: Kaulig Racing will announce its 2027 driver lineup
The 59th annual Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida: Dodge will host the Dodge Sno-Brawl, with celebrity drivers racing equally prepared Dodge Charger late-model stock cars
Dec. 4: Dodge will reveal its NASCAR Cup Series race car at the Snowball Derby, streaming on FloRacing and on the NASCAR Channel

If you have never heard of it, the Snowball Derby dates to 1968. It is a 300-lap Super Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway and one of short-track racing’s most prestigious events.

What Dodge Sells Right Now

Holli with the 2026 Dodge Durango R/T 392 — *Holli spent a week with the 2026 Dodge Durango R/T 392, car seat and all. (Photo by Cory Fourniquet)*

Of course, racing is about selling cars, too. Here is a quick look at the current Dodge performance lineup:

2027 Dodge Charger Super Bee Launch Edition: 600 horsepower
Dodge Charger Scat Pack: 550 horsepower from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo SIXPACK H.O. engine
Dodge Charger R/T: 420 horsepower
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat: 710 horsepower from a supercharged HEMI V8
Dodge Durango GT HEMI AWD: 360 horsepower from a 5.7-liter V8

Every Charger comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and you can pick a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan. For families, the three-row Durango is the easier sell, and we got to know it well in our 2026 Durango R/T 392 Blacktop Launch Edition story and in Holli’s family take on the Durango R/T 392.

Our Take on Dodge’s NASCAR Return

Charger Super Bee seats, part of the Dodge NASCAR performance push — *Super Bee details like these seats show Dodge leaning hard into its performance identity. (Photo by Dodge)*

I love this news. NASCAR has always been better with more manufacturers on the grid, and Dodge brings real history and a loud fan base with it. Pairing up with Kaulig, which already runs Ram’s program, also gives Dodge a head start.

Still, one year is a short runway, and Kuniskis knows it. I will be curious to see which body style the race car takes when it shows up on Dec. 4, especially after we reported that the Charger may get its Hellcat V8 back for 2028. Our car-crazy 8-year-old will definitely be watching that livestream with me.

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