NASCAR In Talks With Honda To Become First New Manufacturer Since 2007

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Since 2012, the NASCAR Cup Series has had just three car manufacturers: Ford, Chevy, and Toyota.

Toyota is the last new company to join the series in 2007, and Dodge last participated in 2012.

But that could soon change, as Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reports that Honda is in talks with NASCAR to potentially enter the fray.

“NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell says negotiations to add a new auto manufacturer for competition are ‘heating up,’” Stern reports. “The racing series starts its 2024 regular season this weekend at Daytona, and it’s NASCAR’s biggest weekend not only for things like viewership and attendance but also with hosting high-level corporate titans including those from automotive brands.”

Honda currently supplies engines in almost every major racing series worldwide except NASCAR. It is one of two engine providers in the IndyCar series and after a brief hiatus, will return to Formula 1 in 2026 with the Aston Martin team.

It’s also one of the leaders in the IMSA SportsCar series via its Acura brand.

Honda & Acura Motorsports Manager Chuck Schifsky told Stern that “As part of our role managing American Honda’s motorsports programs, we need to investigate all forms of motorsport here in the U.S., and as a part of that process, educate ourselves on what race fans are looking for. With that said, we have nothing new to report in terms of our future motorsport direction.”

Which isn’t exactly a confirmation that the manufacturer is entering the series. But it’s also not a flat-out denial.

Several racing series’ have struggled to attract new engine manufacturers in recent years. Though Formula 1 is set to add Audi in 2026 and recently turned down an opportunity to add Cadillac to the grid via an Andretti F1 team.

For NASCAR, it would be a huge boon to a series that has already seen its “NextGen” car see teams such as Trackhouse and 23XI have success immediately after entering the series.