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.
This year marks the second season of NASCAR’s groundbreaking 2025 media rights deal, and fans are curious to see just how year two will stack up with year one. This article will walk you through the 2026 season race by race, comparing viewership week by week to NASCAR’s 2025 season.
All Races (3 Total in 2026): Includes Ratings for The Clash, Daytona Duels, and the All-Star Race, along with the 36-race regular schedule
Network Races to Date (2 Total in 2026): Points and Exhibition/Qualifying Races
Exhibition/Qualifying Races (2 Total in 2026): ONLY Includes Ratings for The Clash, Daytona Duels, and the All-Star Race
*The 2025 Daytona 500 was pushed back several hours due to rain, while the 2026 Daytona 500 was pushed up one hour to avoid inclement weather
**2026 Clash was pushed from Sunday to Wednesday due to snow, and moved to FS2 due to overrunning time on FOX.
This tracker will be updated throughout the season. Make sure to check back in for the latest!
Scene Vault Podcast’s creator Rick Houston is launching a new documentary series that will take a deep look at one of the most painful and transformative periods in NASCAR history. Firestorm, produced by The Scene Vault Podcast, chronicles the 17 month stretch from May 2000 to October 2001 when 5 drivers lost their lives in on-track accidents, marking the era that permanently changed the sport’s approach to safety.
The 10-episode series revisits the tragedies involving Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr, Tony Roper, Dale Earnhardt, and Blaise Alexander. Rather than focusing solely on the crashes themselves, Firestorm analyzes the human stories behind the drivers, the emotional toll on the garage, and the sweeping changes that followed.
Listeners can access the series through The Scene Vault’s podcast platforms, where episodes are released as part of its long-running motorsports history programming. The show is available on major podcast services, as well as through videos on YouTube.
The first episode of Firestorm is already up on YouTube, and you can check out by tapping below
By combining archival research, firsthand accounts, and technical analysis, Firestorm aims to document how grief and controversy ultimately led to one of the most significant safety revolutions in motorsports history, providing context as for why modern NASCAR safety standards exist and the heavy price paid to achieve them.
Subscribe to The Scene Vault and hit the bell to never miss an episode.
From the chaos of the Daytona 500 to what might be the best race of the season, EchoPark/Atlanta Motor Speedway is up next. Tyler Reddick comes in with momentum after his Daytona triumph, but Atlanta’s drafting style can flip the script in a heartbeat. The data says one thing, history says another, and several heavy hitters are already looking for redemption. Eric Estepp and Ryan Stevens from WinTheRace.info break down and preview the race weekend at EchoPark Speedway.
There are massive storylines bubbling under the surface. Hendrick has owned Atlanta in the Next Gen era, but recent crashes and bad luck tell a different story. Penske’s numbers remain elite here, even if Speedweeks raised eyebrows. And a handful of aggressive young drivers are hovering right on the edge of a breakthrough. Atlanta rarely disappoints, and with desperation already creeping in after just one race, Sunday could get wild in a hurry. If Daytona was about survival, this one might be about execution.
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