Dodge’s long-awaited return to the NASCAR Cup Series could be getting closer, with Stellantis reportedly exploring a short-term engine partnership that could help the brand get on the grid as early as the 2027 season.
According to NASCAR insider Adam Stern, Stellantis is declining to comment on industry rumblings that it has held discussions with other NASCAR manufacturers and engine builders in recent months about potentially supplying engines to Dodge in the short term.
The development could be crucial for Dodge, which has been working toward a return to NASCAR’s premier series but still faces one major obstacle: having a competitive Cup Series engine program ready in time.
Dodge Could Use Outside Engine Help for 2027
The reported discussions would represent a potential change in strategy for Stellantis.
Rather than waiting until its own Cup engine program is fully ready, Dodge could potentially use engines supplied by another manufacturer or engine builder during the early stages of its return.
Nothing has been confirmed, however.
Stellantis has declined to comment on the latest reports, and there is currently no confirmation that an agreement has been reached with any specific OEM or engine manufacturer.
NASCAR’s current Cup Series manufacturer programs are built around manufacturer-specific engines. Chevrolet engines are supplied through ECR and Hendrick Motorsports, Toyota engines through Toyota Racing Development, while Ford’s program is associated with Roush Yates Engines.
A short-term arrangement would therefore be an unusual solution and would likely require NASCAR approval and a carefully structured technical agreement.
Why the Engine Issue Is So Important
The engine has consistently been identified as the biggest hurdle standing between Dodge and a Cup Series return.
When Stellantis brought Ram back to NASCAR for the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series, the project was considerably simpler because the Truck Series uses a common Ilmor-built engine. That allowed Stellantis and Kaulig Racing to concentrate heavily on the body and manufacturer program.
The Cup Series is different.
Manufacturers are responsible for their own engine programs, meaning Dodge needs a powerplant capable of meeting NASCAR’s technical requirements while also being competitive against Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.
Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice reportedly described the engine program as the biggest obstacle to a Dodge Cup entry. He also said the team would ideally want around 18 months to prepare for a manufacturer switch.
Dodge Has Already Made Progress
The latest reports come after significant progress toward a potential 2027 entry.
In June, multiple industry sources told The Athletic that Dodge had become increasingly likely to enter the Cup Series in 2027. At the time, reports indicated that Stellantis had made a breakthrough regarding how it would produce its engines, while a proposed Dodge body had already undergone initial wind-tunnel testing.
A July report also noted that the engine breakthrough had helped move the potential entry forward, although for Rice, establishing an engine program was still a huge challenge.
Now, the reported conversations with outside engine suppliers could provide another route to getting Dodge onto the starting grid sooner.
NASCAR Has Confirmed Dodge’s Long-Term Intentions
While there is still no official announcement of a 2027 Cup debut, Stellantis has made its intentions clear.
NASCAR reported in February that Kevin Kidd, Stellantis’ North American Motorsports competition director, confirmedthat Dodge’s eventual Cup Series return was part of the company’s internal discussions.
Stellantis has already returned to NASCAR through Ram, which began its Craftsman Truck Series program with Kaulig Racing in 2026.
The company described the Truck effort as the beginning of its broader NASCAR return, while acknowledging that a Cup Series program would be the next major step.
Could Dodge Really Race in the 2027 Daytona 500?
The possibility of seeing Dodge back in the Cup Series for the 2027 Daytona 500 is becoming increasingly realistic, but it remains far from guaranteed.
The biggest question is whether Stellantis can finalize an engine solution quickly enough while completing the necessary car development, NASCAR approval and preparation for its Cup team.
Kaulig Racing is seen as the main potential partner for the move after its existing relationship with Stellantis and Ram. The team already has Cup Series experience and charters, giving Dodge an established platform should the manufacturer decide to move forward.
So if an outside supplier can help Dodge bridge the gap while Stellantis develops its own long-term engine program, the manufacturer could potentially enter the Cup Series in 2027 and transition toward its own powerplant later.
For now, however, there is no confirmed engine deal and no official 2027 Cup Series entry announcement from Stellantis.
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