NASCAR president confirms talks with new car manufactures; Addresses longtime rumors of Dodge returning
We’ve heard talks about a new manufacture joining NASCAR, for years. That included comments from former NASCAR presidents Brian France and Brent Dewar.
However, despite these rumors and likely hopes from the former heads of the sport, the mystery manufactures remain absent. Currently, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota remain as the only three manufactures in the series.
Once again, the name Dodge has surfaced as a possible candidate for fourth manufacture.
The NASCAR Next Gen car makes it’s debut at the first race in 2022. The new spec chassis is expected to drastically reduced the costs of entering the sport from a manufacture as well as a team front.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps comments
“You know what, there are some discussions that are going on with other OEMs, new OEMs, that would come into the sport,” Steve Phelps stated.
“Our three existing OEMs are happy about that. Our race teams are happy about that. We’re happy about that. It’s been widely rumored that Dodge is one of those or closest. I won’t confirm or deny that.”
“It is important. We’ve made no bones about the fact that we want to have a new OEM in our sport. I think we got delayed with the pandemic.”
“With that said, we are an attractive place I believe for OEMs to come into the sport. Now is an important opportunity for them to do that because of the Next Gen car.”
“I also believe the fact that the sport is growing and has a relevance that it hasn’t had in decades is causing some real interest from other OEMs.”
Phelps added, “Nothing to report at this particular point. It is important. I would suggest things are progressing or I would say that things are progressing. When we have something to announce, we will.”
NASCAR has also previous hinted at hybrid engines coming to the sport. That opens the door for brands like Telsa to become a possible manufacture in the sport along with the traditional V8 builders.
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