Dodge is officially rejoining the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, and this isn’t some quiet comeback, folks. Tim Kuniskis, the big dog at Stellantis, threw down the gauntlet during a preview for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for 2026 on Tuesday. This time, the return has a clear face, a firm timeline, and a team ready to roll: Kaulig Racing is anchoring the whole damn thing.
Kaulig Racing Stepping Up, Charger Cup Car Reveal on Deck
This move isn’t completely out of left field if you’ve been paying attention. Ram’s return to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026 was the opener, and Kaulig Racing was already running that program. Now, their relationship is blowing up to the top tier, with Kaulig set to anchor both the Dodge and Ram efforts. Dodge SRT Racing, which oversees all of Stellantis’ North American motorsports programs, including NASCAR and NHRA, is taking charge of the entire return. This is a massive expansion for Kaulig, and it shows the trust Stellantis has in them to bring Dodge back to glory.
Get ready for December 4, because that’s when the new Charger Cup car gets its grand reveal. It’s all going down during the 59th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. If you can’t be there in person, you can still catch it live on FloRacing and the FloRacing-provided NASCAR Channel. But hold up, there’s more: Kaulig isn’t waiting until the car reveal to drop some bombshells. They’re planning to reveal their 2027 driver lineup even sooner, during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s going to be a wild few weeks for fans waiting for these announcements.
The “Impossible” Challenge and a Legacy to Uphold
When you hear Tim Kuniskis talk about this comeback, you know it’s going to be intense. The man who heads American Brands, SRT Performance, and Direct Connection for Stellantis North America didn’t sugarcoat it. He knows the timeline is tight. “Everyone said it was impossible to get back in one year. We said, ‘watch this,’” Kuniskis stated. “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.” That’s the kind of fighting spirit you want to see. This isn’t just a return; it’s a declaration.
Dodge isn’t new to this game. Their last car in Cup competition was Brad Keselowski’s No. 2 Miller Lite Charger, which actually *won* the 2012 championship for Team Penske. Think about that: they walked away on top. They then missed the next 14 seasons, leaving a huge void. Their first Cup victory goes all the way back to 1953, showing the deep roots this brand has in racing. With this 2027 return, race fans are about to get a fourth manufacturer back in the mix, standing alongside Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. The competition just got a whole lot spicier, didn’t it?
As for the drivers, AJ Allmendinger is expected to stay in the No. 16, with his contract reportedly running through 2029. That’s a solid piece of stability for Kaulig. However, Ty Dillon’s No. 10 seat is up in the air for 2027, with his current deal reportedly expiring at the end of this year. That’s one of the big questions hanging over Kaulig’s driver announcement. We’ll be watching closely during NASCAR Championship Weekend to see who gets the nod.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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