The excitement surrounding Dodge’s potential return to the NASCAR Cup Series has been building since Ram announced its 2026 Truck Series comeback.
However, NASCAR’s John Probst has delivered sobering news for fans hoping for a quick Cup Series return. The development process will require a minimum of 18 months, meaning even an immediate commitment wouldn’t put Dodge back on track until 2027 at the earliest.
The 18-Month NASCAR Official Timeline Reality
John Probst, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, outlined the extensive requirements for any manufacturer entering Cup Series competition. The timeline centers primarily around body development and approval processes that cannot be rushed.
“If [Dodge] decide[s] they’re going to go that direction for us, it’s about an 18-month onboarding process, largely around the submission of the body,” Probst explained.
“There will be, obviously, with a new OEM coming in, some work to be done on the engine, so I’d say that 18-month sort of runway would be pretty typical, but it will be on the OEM to decide the timing in which they’d want to come but the minimum would be 18 months,” he added.
Ram’s return to the Truck Series comes with a lot of questions about whether it signals an eventual return to Cup for Dodge. NASCAR’s John Probst said the following this week:
– The onboarding process for Dodge to return to Cup would be about 18 months, largely around the… pic.twitter.com/N1iZWerO43
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) June 8, 2025
The body submission process requires extensive design work, computer simulations, and wind tunnel testing to meet NASCAR’s strict parity requirements. This ensures all manufacturers compete on equal footing, but creates significant development time for newcomers.
Unlike the Truck Series, where manufacturers focus mainly on bodywork and branding with spec engines, the Cup Series demands complete engine programs. This adds complexity that cannot be overlooked in the development timeline.
Engine Development Challenges for Dodge’s Cup Series Return
While Dodge maintains some advantages from its previous Cup Series participation ending in 2012, significant engine work remains necessary. The company’s R5P7 358 CI V8 engine provides a foundation, but 13 years of technological advancement create gaps.
“Our existing engine builders develop their engines every year, so there’s been a gap there, so there would be some development of that engine needed,” Probst noted. The core components, including the block, head, and manifold, remain relevant, allowing for catch-up development rather than starting from scratch.
This puts Dodge ahead of other potential manufacturers without NASCAR-ready V8 engines. However, the development timeline still contributes to the overall 18-month minimum requirement that Probst emphasized.
NASCAR continues courting additional manufacturers beyond Dodge, with Probst revealing another automaker is “very close” to joining. The sanctioning body is preparing for mixed engine architectures, potentially including hybrid or turbocharged units competing alongside traditional V8s.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed the brand’s broader ambitions beyond trucks, stating, “Our full intention is to be back in Cup.” However, the focus remains on successful Truck Series execution before advancing to Cup competition, respecting the development timeline Probst outlined.