The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are witnessing the final 8 drivers right now. Among them are three Hendrick Motorsports stars – Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and William Byron – all of whom drive Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LEs. And everyone has a legitimate chance to win the Cup Series title. Now, their OEM is making moves to revamp their race cars so they can roar back in the following season.

Chevrolet has been the most successful OEM in NASCAR, fetching its first premier series win back in 1955. Its notable achievements included the long-term success of the Monte Carlo in the 1970s and 80s, and the modern-era dominance of teams like Hendrick Motorsports.

Now, the auto manufacturer is looking forward to another milestone – with fans speculating about it.

Chevy aligns innovation with NASCAR’s updates

The signs have been in place for some time. Two weeks ago, NASCAR Senior VP of competition, Elton Sawyer, claimed that Chevrolet has completed developing its new Cup Series body style for 2026. The production of the Camaro has already reached its conclusion, so it was no surprise that Chevy was looking for a revamp.

For the 2025 season, the OEM made minimal changes, replacing the Camaro branding with Chevrolet branding. However, for 2025, hints of significant changes are already afoot – with the latest update rolled out on X recently.

NASCAR has already provided updates about its 2026 rules package for the Cup Series. The most notable update was the increase in horsepower from 670 to 750. Now, Chevrolet will add its own snazzy update, as journalist Bob Pockrass wrote: “The 2026 rules package comes out Nov. 14 so would expect new Chevy body to be announced by then (probably closer to then than to now). Not expecting a Cadillac. (via u/LBHMS)”

The last time Chevrolet refurbished its body style was in 2020. That was when the OEM switched from the ZL1, introduced in 2018, to the ZL1 1LE. Presently, it is unclear what this body style will look like. Some have theorized that it could radically differ from what the OEM currently runs. Others speculate it is a refinement of the current Camaro ZL1 1LE design.

Elton Sawyer hyped up the anticipation by dropping a rollout date in late September. He said: “We started working back with the folks there at GM probably over a year or so ago now. . . then they started submitting the body parts, and then they go to a wind tunnel test where all the OEMs, our original equipment manufacturers, are there and watch how that test unfolds at the wind tunnel. So all the boxes have been checked, and looking forward to seeing the new Chevrolet when we get to Daytona in 2026.”

But fans have started racking their brains before the garage starts thinking about the 2026 Daytona 500.

Possible theories spring up

Even outside NASCAR, Chevrolet has been having an awesome year. Brenden Queen won the ARCA Menards Series Championship at Toledo Speedway on October 4th. Queen drives a Chevrolet SS, which was discontinued by the Cup Series in 2018.

One fan rooted for that model to make a comeback in 2026: “Make a second-gen Chevy SS based on the blackwing, make enough of a production run to count, and go from there!” 

Another fan agreed that the 2025 CT5 Blackwing is irresistible, balancing high-adrenaline performance and luxury. They rooted for something like the Monte Carlo, Chevy’s standard-bearer for NASCAR from 1971 until 1989.

“GM just needs to put Chevy branding on the CT5-V Blackwing and call it the new Monte Carlo,” the fan wrote.

Somebody else suggested that the Corvette is on the table. The Corvette remains a possibility, even though the production car is a mid-engine design. Another theory suggests it may be a crossover with NASCAR’s coup body. The fan wrote, “I am guessing it’s probably going to be a Corvette (or based off the Corvette).”

Another fan pitched a novel idea, suggesting that Chevrolet use its own brand. And considering Chevy’s popularity in NASCAR, it does not seem so bad: “The Chevrolet Chevy.” Indeed, as per Bob Pockrass’ post, the Cadillac may not return.

However, one fan suggested that it may be possible if Chevy uses its own colors instead: “I think that Chevy rebadging a Cadillac, making a limited production run of them as Chevys under a Chevy model name, and making that their NASCAR body, is a real possibility.”

Chevrolet is in motion, and fans are swept up in it. Let’s wait and see what novel changes the OEM brings for the next season.