For over a decade now, NASCAR has been ferociously searching for a 4th OEM to join the most popular motorsport in the United States. Now, according to Adam Stern, it seems that Honda is the most recent interested potential suitor. Steve O’Donnell even teased that talks are “Heating up” about adding a new OEM. What is the whole story here?
Honda Motorsports Manager Chuck Schifsky specifically name-dropped Honda’s potential interest in NASCAR to RACER.com‘s Marshall back in December of 2023. This was within the context of Honda exploring the possibility of leaving IndyCar after 2026 because of rising costs, so, other options were being explored for where to best use Honda’s resources.
We’re looking for a wholesale change to the engine regulations so that we can eliminate fives and tens of millions of dollars of annual technical costs, because if we don’t, then it’s too much money, and we will go do something else. That something else could be NASCAR, or a further investment in our Formula 1 effort. Or something that isn’t motorsports at all.”
Chuck Schifskey to RACER.com
Obviously, this was not an announcement that Honda is entering NASCAR, but, it does show that Honda is open to looking at other motorsports. It’s also important to note that IndyCar has had some recent issues with catching up to new technologies. On December 7th, the day before the above Marshall Pruett interview, IndyCar announced that they would be delaying the implementation of their new hybrid engines.
NASCAR, on the other hand, has an EV prototype along with exploring hydrogen power. NASCAR specifically traveled to Japan, where Honda is based, to research Hydrogen power. While NASCAR is still very much in the learning phase of everything, the interest they are showing must be attractive to new manufacturers.
Schifsky reached out to Stern via email in Stern’s most recent report. Here is what Schifsky had to say.
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.
Chuck Schifsky via Sports Business Journal
So, if anything new is happening between NASCAR and Honda, according to Honda, there is nothing currently worth reporting. This means that either conversations have not happened, or, they are in the very early stages. However, Steve O’Donnell gave a more optimistic take according to Stern, saying that conversations are “heating up”, and adding more about how willing current manufacturers are to add a new one.
The great thing is you talk about our current partners, they’ve been tremendous not only with current technology in the car but being very open to new technology whether it be a different engine architecture or what we race, so those discussions are always forward-thinking … and our current partners are very open to new OEMs coming in and open to having conversations about that possibility…[Automakers] know that at the end of the day, being in NASCAR sells cars. It’s a proven thing and it’s a place OEMs want to be and should be.
Steve O’Donnell
Again, this does not explicitly say that a new manufacturer will join NASCAR in 2025. O’Donnell is selling what he feels NASCAR brings to the table to new manufacturers, be that Honda or someone else.
However, given the current openness of Honda searching elsewhere, it’s hard to believe that NASCAR has not given them a call. Especially considering that NASCAR has shown expressed interest in developing their cars for new technologies.
Honda and NASCAR are not about to team up soon, but, it seems there is some mutual interest. For now, it becomes a waiting game.
