What’s Happening?

Honda to NASCAR almost feels like an inevitability at this point, but, it is not a guarantee. Even if Honda does join NASCAR, could there be room for another manufacturer to join? Today, we take a look at which other manufacturers could join NASCAR.

• For this list, we will look at any OEM not currently involved in NASCAR that could join. No OEM is totally ineligible.
• However, we will look at multiple factors with whom to include. It has to make sense for both NASCAR and the manufacturer to join. Since NASCAR primarily races consumer cars and not sports cars, many luxury manufacturers will likely not be included on this list. Many of the manufacturers owned by GM and Ford Motor Company are unlikely to join as well since Chevrolet and Ford carry that banner for those companies.
• Fans are clambering for a new manufacturer to join NASCAR. Even with Honda likely joining, some of these other companies would be interesting to see join NASCAR.

Dodge

When asking NASCAR fans who they want to see join the sport, Dodge is often the first name to roll off the tongue. It’s easy to see why as Chrysler Corp. has created some of the most iconic cars and partnered with some of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Dodge left the sport after the 2012 season, going out on top by winning a Driver’s Championship with Brad Keselowski.

Could Dodger join NASCAR? Well, they did just reveal their new Dodger Charter Daytona EV, which just so happens to have 670 horsepower, the same as a NASCAR Cup Series car. NASCAR is not going to race EVs anytime soon, but, that horsepower number is interesting albeit likely a coincidence. Dodge has an incredibly rich history in the sport, so, the fans would love to see them join. However, Dodge just continues to not be interested.

Mazda

Mazda already has a presence in American motorsports through the IMSA Whelen Mazda Mx-5 Cup. NASCAR and IMSA are pretty closely related with Jim France being the chairman of both entities. With that close of a connection, why would Mazda not want to join NASCAR?

One potential hurdle is Mazda is partially owned by Toyota. Toyota already has a presence in NASCAR, and, manufacturers are not as willing to bring their other brands into the sport as they were in years past. The years of Ford trotting out Fords, Lincolns, and Mercurys and GM entering Chevys, Buicks, and Pontiacs are in the past. If those companies do not see value in it, why would Toyota want Mazda in NASCAR?

Nissan

With the interest coming from fellow Japanese manufacturer, Honda, why would Nissan not want to join NASCAR? It would be an interesting way to promote Nissan in the United States.

However, Nissan is not heavily involved in motorsports. They do have a past presence in sports car racing and in rally, but, major motorsports like F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and so on do not have Nissan in them. It’s possible that they just do not see the value in investing in motorsports like others do.

Hyundai/Kia

Talk about opening up NASCAR to a new audience. Hyundai/Kia are South Korean manufacturers. NASCAR has never dipped its toe into the South Korean automotive industry, but, could now be the time?

However, Hyundai and Kia are not that heavily involved in motorsports. Hyundai has a small presence in Rally as we see above, but, they just do not invest heavily into motorsports. Similar to Nissan, if the interest is not there, then it will not work.

Which of these manufacturers could join NASCAR aside from Honda? Is there any that we missed?