When Brad Keselowski claimed the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series championship, it was a significant milestone. It was a culmination of years of effort and resilience from the driver. For Keselowski, it marked his first Cup Series title and solidified his place among NASCAR’s elite, proving he could compete and win at the highest level. It was also a defining achievement for his team, Penske Racing, which had long sought a championship in the sport’s top tier. The win was also a landmark moment for its manufacturer.

The title was Dodge’s first Cup Series championship since Richard Petty’s iconic 1975 triumph, a fitting bookend to the American manufacturer’s modern NASCAR chapter.. While this was a cause of celebration, few knew it would mark the manufacturer’s swan song in the sport’s premier division. But now, 13 years later, whispers are growing louder that Dodge—through its Ram Truck division—is plotting a calculated return to NASCAR, beginning where manufacturers typically test the waters: the Truck Series.

And according to multiple sources, GMS Racing might be the team carrying the Ram banner into battle. Notably, GMS is owned by Maury Gallagher, who is also a stakeholder in Legacy Motorclub along with fellow minority owner Richard Petty. The Athletic reported in February that Dodge has already begun the process of gaining NASCAR’s formal approval to join the Truck Series as soon as the 2026 season. According to the report, NASCAR is currently reviewing Dodge’s submission to field a truck through its “Ram” brand.

This approach mirrors Dodge’s last NASCAR entry strategy—starting in trucks to gain familiarity before advancing to the premier series when prepared to compete at a high level. Still, any approval would need to be secured within the next few months to give Dodge enough time to properly test its Ram truck ahead of a potential race debut next year, and so far, NASCAR hasn’t commented on any developments. But the rumors gained more traction this week with an update from insider Kaleb Vestel. Vestel tweeted: “A rumor around the garage area is that @GMSRacingLLC is returning to the Truck Series in 2026 with support from Dodge.”

Vestel also added the response of Maury’s son Spencer in his tweet, writing, “@23SpeedRacer on the matter with a smirk: “Salacious; Baseless; Unfounded: I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Interestingly, it is also rumored that Spencer Gallagher will be behind the wheel in this new association for GMS.

Dodge competed in the Cup Series from 2001 to 2012, but ultimately bowed out as financial headwinds and a shortage of committed teams left the manufacturer without a clear path forward. But now, with rumors of a fourth manufacturer joining Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota swirling, Dodge is eyeing a return.

If Dodge is successful and the reports of a return with GMS Racing materialize, it will also represent a massive comeback for Gallagher’s team. GMS Racing stepped away from the track in 2023 after years of success in the Truck Series. During their eight-year tenure on the grid, they racked up 45 wins and two championships.

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s report pointed out that Dodge intends to return to the Cup Series “as soon as 2027 or 2028” and Dale Jr. is all for it.

“That’s very aggressive for the Cup effort, which I don’t think they’ll be able to do that quickly. I think this is awesome. Dodge has got such a cool reputation, and I know they’ve had some ups and downs over the past several decades but in my eyes, they’re still a true muscle car brand. The Dodge Charger from the 70s is a beautiful vehicle and historic. The Challenger — lot of great vehicles come out of that brand. It’s just a cool brand. I’m thrilled they’re considering a return, and I hope it’s a successful one,” he said.

Fans already saw what happened last season, when OEMs ganged up, and the chaos at Martinsville was evident. And Earnhardt Jr. thinks some will flock to Dodge, as he said just a few weeks ago. “There’s a bunch of conversation around who are the teams that would help them on this journey and what their Cup programs would look like. We’ll keep our ear to the ground. … I’m sure there’s a lot of Cup teams out there thinking that’s a great opportunity for them.” 

NASCAR fans read between the lines

Fans immediately began speculating about the broader implications, with one noting: “Trackhouse would benefit the most by jumping to Dodge. Their lack of prioritization at Chevy is becoming apparent.” Despite Trackhouse Racing’s meteoric rise with drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez, the team still sits behind Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing in Chevrolet’s pecking order. Historically, emerging manufacturers have provided ambitious teams like Trackhouse the factory support and priority status they crave, similar to when Furniture Row Racing left Chevrolet for Toyota and subsequently won a championship with Martin Truex Jr. in 2017.

“If college football coaches have taught me anything, this deal is 100% done,” another fan commented, referencing the notorious practice of coaches and officials denying job changes right up until formal announcements. When Toyota entered the Cup Series in 2007, or when Dodge made its 2001 return, negotiations and agreements were typically finalized months before public acknowledgement. The carefully worded response from GMS Racing—neither confirming nor denying—follows this familiar playbook.

Other fans pointed to ownership structures, noting: “Gallagher no longer has any financial stake in LMC. Jimmie and Knighthead own them now.” This astute observation references Legacy Motor Club (formerly Richard Petty Motorsports), which is now owned by seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management. Interestingly, the Petty name—once synonymous with Dodge’s NASCAR success—remains connected to the organization. Richard Petty’s 1975 championship in a Dodge represents the manufacturer’s last title before Keselowski’s 2012 triumph, creating a compelling narrative should Legacy Motor Club eventually align with a returning Dodge program.

Perhaps the most perceptive fan comment observed: “He’s telling the truth, in a way. He said that they’re not returning to Trucks with Dodge. He didn’t say they’re not returning with Ram.” While historically competing under the Dodge name, the manufacturer would likely use the Ram Truck brand for the Truck Series program—an approach that makes marketing sense given Ram’s strong market position as America’s second-best-selling pickup. The standardized Ilmor engine program in the Truck Series also creates a much more cost-effective entry point than when Dodge last competed, eliminating the need to develop proprietary engines for competition.

As NASCAR continues reviewing Dodge’s submission, fans of American manufacturers have reason for optimism. If history repeats itself, Ram trucks could be circling NASCAR short tracks by early 2026, with sleek Dodge Chargers potentially rejoining the Cup Series grid by 2027, reigniting a legacy that dates back to Richard Petty’s dominance in the 1970s. For now, NASCAR Nation watches and waits as cryptic tweets and carefully crafted non-denials fuel the rumor mill.