Kaulig Racing President Breaks Silence on 2027 Dodge Cup Rumors

Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice has shared his thoughts on the reports that Dodge might enter NASCAR Cup Series in 2027.

Kaulig Racing President Breaks Silence on 2027 Dodge Cup Rumors

Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice (Via motorsport.com)

Since the introduction of the Next-Gen cars, one key question the NASCAR community has been asking was how long it would take a new manufacturer to join the sport, alongside Ford, Chevy and Toyota. Stellantis owned iconic car brand Dodge entering the Truck Series in 2026 with RAM Truck gave the fans some hope.

The company confirmed their plans to join the series by 2028, most probably with Kaulig Racing, their partner in the third division. Recently, The Athletics’ Jordan Bianchi reported that the brand might fats track their promotion and would enter Cup in the 2027 season, marking their return for the first time since 2012.

Dodge is increasingly likely to enter NASCAR’s Cup Series in 2027 as a manufacturer and is working to finalize its plan, according to multiple industry sources briefed on the situation. Should Dodge begin competing in Cup next season, NASCAR would then have four manufacturers in its premier division for the first time since 2012 — the year when Dodge last competed in Cup.

Joard Bianchi reported via NY Times.

Chris Rice, the long serving president of Kaulig Racing, has addressed these rumors on his most recent appearance on the Dirty Mo Media Door Bumper Clear podcast. He asserted that the team, just like most in the community wants the Brand to commit to the top division, as they’ve been working hard behind the scenes for it. But as of right now an entry in 2027 is not on the table.

We would love for Dodge to do it, but they have not committed to do it yet. … Are we working hard towards it? Absolutely. … Are they coming? Not as of today.

Chris Rice said on Door Bumper Clear podcast.
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Chris Rice explains the real struggle Dodge may face over NASCAR Cup entry

Further talking on the same topic, Rice asserted that he would love to see Dodge Back in the Cup and it would be massive boost for the sport as whole. But it is not going to be easy and development of a Cup engine would be tough for the brand,

Chris Rice
Chris Rice (Via @C_Rice1/X)

Everybody at Kaulig Racing would love to have them back, yes, immediately. Fast as we can go, get ’em in the sport, it would be great for the sport. … More people in here trying to sell cars would be great. But the engine is the issue.

Chris Rice said on the podcast.

Dodge left NASCAR in 2012, after losing their primary side Team Penske Racing to Ford, because of the engine issues. They were not making their engines unlike the other OEM’s and the same challenge is ahead of them yet again.

Engines, right? Everybody needs to understand this… the only reason Dodge left, guys, this [is something] not many people know, is they didn’t have an engine. If you think back, Penske went to Ford, Penske was building engines. They had no engine [manufacturer backing].

Chris Rice added.

If Dodge wants to fast track their Cup return, they need to produce an engine good enough to match the likes of Ford, Chevy and Toyota. It would be interesting to see how long it would take the brand to pull that off.

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