“Just a Marketing Play!” Denny Hamlin Question’s Dodge to NASCAR Cup Rumors

A major point of debate in the NASCAR community since, Dodge conformed their entry into the 2026 Truck Series season with RAM was how long it would take the brand to return to the Cup Series. Recently there has been reports that suggests it might happen as early as 2027 and Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin some questions about it.

On the latest episode of the Dirty Mo Media Actions Detrimental podcast Hamlin talked about the reports surrounding a new OEM entry to the Cup. He questioned the move being too fast, considering RAM hasn’t been competitive as expected in the third division and the 2027 moves feels more like a marketing play.

One thing that I we should you know that the rumors are starting to swirl a little bit about Dodge and Cup have I mentioned while I we would love another manufacturer they are struggling let’s they’re struggling to run 15th in trucks. So, I don’t know that that’s I know they want to get in there. I don’t know how much of that is like just a marketing play versus like you really truly want to compete…

Denny Hamlin said on his podcast.

According to Denny Hamlin, even if the manufacturer race in the 2027 Daytona 500, they might not run full-time, as it is going to be a major undertaking for everyone involved. They won’t be able to compte effectively with the other OEM backed teams. Hence the wise decision would be a part-time start with marketing as primary goal.

They’re like, ‘Oh, well, the quick aspirations is 2027 Daytona 500.’ Um, does that mean they’re just going to run Daytona or the whole year? Because it’s talk about going to be on the struggle bus. That would that would be a major struggle unless the goal is just let’s get our name out there. Let’s get our activation like we want it. have a presence at the track. I don’t know what the motivation is behind it, but like you still got to get your simulation. You still got to get… A major undertaking.

Denny Hamlin added via Actions Detrimental.

Further talking about the point, the 23XI co-owner recalled the recent comments from Chris Rice, the Kaulig Racing President, over the engine manufacturing being one factor that would restrict Dodge from returning in 2027. They left the sport in 2012 because Team Peske, who made their engines, left to join Ford.

He [Chris Rice] mentioned that the reason that Dodge got out in the first place is that Pinsky was the engine builder for Dodge when they switched to Ford that left no one building the Dodge engine. So, uh, are they going to do it themselves or are they going to outsource that? Like I like clock is ticking. So, I don’t I don’t know.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

Denny Hamlin believes Dodge coming to Cup is good for everyone involved

Later in the same conversation, the veteran talked about how having a fourth brand entering the Cup Series would be good for the sport. Teams would have better options to choose from and the series can be much more competitive.

I think the more manufacturers that you have, the better it is for the sport. Yeah, I certainly think that it alleviates a little bit of pressure from probably Chevrolet having to support… And so, yeah, if you can spread that out amongst um, you know, more manufacturers, then then, yeah, I think that everyone uh it’s good for everyone.

Denny Hamlin said.

It would also attract more fans back to the sport, while Dodge can take advantage of the opportunity expand their market. But they need to be well prepared before returning to Cup, as if they failed this time there might never be another comeback.

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