Dodge will be returning as a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series division with Kaulig Racing in 2027.
The announcement was made at this year’s SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Event in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday, November 2, by Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance and Direct Connection division, Stellantis North America. The 2027 season will mark the first time since Dodge, owned and managed by Stellantis, will be fielded as a full-time NASCAR manufactured team since 2012. Next season will also officially be Kaulig Racing’s first being fielded by a different manufacturer aside from Chevrolet since the organization’s inception in 2016.
“Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘watch this,’” Kuniskis said. “Sure, we could spend three years planning, testing and perfecting … or we could do all three in real time, on the track. It’s going to be exponentially harder this way. But slow has never been part of Dodge DNA. LFG.”
As part of Dodge’s return with Kaulig Racing, the organization will reveal its 2027 driver lineup during this upcoming weekend’s championship festivities at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger currently compete in Kaulig’s two entries numbered 10 and 16, respectively. Then on December 4, 2026, Dodge will hold The Dodge Sno-Brawl and reveal the Charger livery that will be sported throughout the 2027 Cup season during the 59th annual Snowball Derby late model event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
“Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series is a significant milestone for the sport,” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Chief Executive Officer. said. “This commitment speaks to Dodge’s belief in our sport and gives fans another reason to be excited about what’s ahead. The partnership between NASCAR, Tim Kuniskis and the entire team at Stellantis has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have a deep passion for NASCAR and its ability to showcase the world’s top brands, and we can’t wait to see Dodge on the race track for the Daytona 500 and beyond.”
“This is a very exciting moment for both [general manager] Chris Rice and me,” Matt Kaulig, Kaulig Racing’s founder and team owner, added. “We launched Kaulig Racing a decade ago and have overcome so many challenges together, which makes it even more remarkable to be announced as the anchor team for Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series. What a monumental time to be a member of Kaulig Racing. We realize what a responsibility this opportunity presents to the men and women of Kaulig Racing, and we are ready to rise to the occasion. I am proud of the stability and support this partnership brings to our organization, which allows us to build a winning program for many years to come.”
This season, Stellantis returned to NASCAR through one of its brands with Kaulig as the organization fielded five RAM 1500 entries throughout this year’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Corey LaJoie, Brenden Queen, Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell and Justin Haley pilot Kaulig’s Nos. 10, 12, 14 and 16 RAM entries, respectively. A fifth entry numbered 25 serves as the organization’s Free Agent Program entry that has been fielded and piloted by multiple competitors from various racing divisions and disciplines. AJ Allmendinger, Clint Bowyer, Colin Braun, Conor Daly, Ty Dillon, Carson Ferguson, Parker Kligerman, Corey LaJoie, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Travis Pastrana, Elliott Sadler, Regan Smith and Tony Stewart have each piloted the entry at least once, with Kligerman set to compete in this weekend’s Truck finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
To date, Dodge holds the fourth-most victories at 217 and the third-most poles at 254 in the Cup Series division. The manufacturer’s latest Cup pole was at Kansas Speedway in April 2012 by AJ Allmendinger. Keselowski recorded Dodge’s latest victory at Dover Motor Speedway in September 2012. The latter also proceeded to win Dodge’s fifth and latest championship in 2012 prior to the manufacturer’s initial departure at season’s end.
With Dodge’s return with Kaulig Racing set, the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to commence with the Wheatly Vodka Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. This event will be followed by the 69th running of the Daytona 500 on February 21.
