RCR's Potential Shift to Dodge in NASCAR

With Dodge’s return to NASCAR’s Truck Series through Stellantis RAM Trucks and Kaulig Racing, speculation is growing about a potential Cup Series comeback. Among the teams linked to Dodge, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stands out as a prime candidate, sparking discussions about a seismic shift from its decades-long partnership with Chevrolet.

Since entering the Cup Series in the 1960s, RCR has exclusively fielded Chevrolet cars, amassing six Cup titles, three Xfinity Series championships, and two Truck Series titles. However, overshadowed by Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance within the Chevrolet camp, RCR hasn’t won a Cup championship since 1994.

Partnering with Dodge could position RCR as a manufacturer’s flagship team, offering a clearer path to title contention. RCR’s robust engine program, ECR Engines, further sweetens the deal, as it could supply powerplants to other Dodge-backed teams, much like its current support for Kaulig and Trackhouse.

The idea of an RCR-Dodge alliance isn’t new. In 2013, after Dodge exited NASCAR due to a lack of a top-tier team post-Penske, rumors swirled about RCR switching manufacturers.

Richard Childress quickly dismissed the speculation, saying, “I haven’t talked to anybody. No one has approached me yet.” A decade later, with Kaulig Racing bridging RCR and Dodge in the Truck Series, the possibility feels more tangible.

However, loyalty poses a significant hurdle. RCR’s five-decade partnership with Chevrolet is deeply ingrained, and Childress, now in his late 70s, values tradition. The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi noted that while a move to Dodge isn’t unthinkable, “severing these ties would be something team owner Richard Childress, who values loyalty, would not do without great hesitation.”

Yet, the prospect of leading Dodge’s Cup Series return, bolstered by Ram’s Truck Series momentum, could tip the scales. RCR’s resources—sponsorships, facilities, drivers like Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, and a strong engine program—align with Stellantis’s vision for a bold NASCAR re-entry.

Fan reactions highlight the tension. One remarked, “Austin wants it; RC doesn’t,” capturing the divide between Childress’s traditionalism and his grandson Dillon’s push for innovation amid RCR’s inconsistent results. Another fan quipped, “Somebody needs to send Gordon Ramsay to RCR… maybe he could convince RC to finally retire to the farm,” reflecting frustration with RCR’s stagnation since Dale Earnhardt’s era.

Others see a strategic move: “Be the 3rd-4th tier Chevy org or the lead Dodge org. RC is still thinking like it’s 1990.” Fans also highlight RCR’s unique asset—ECR Engines, an independent operation that could anchor Dodge’s engine needs, as one noted: “If I were Dodge, I’d keep adding zeroes to the check until Pop-pop gave in.”

Enthusiasm for a Dodge-RCR partnership runs high, with fans envisioning “all black Dodge Raaaams” evoking RCR’s iconic Earnhardt-era aesthetic, perfectly suited to Ram’s rugged branding. While talks remain speculative until Dodge confirms a Cup Series return, the prospect of RCR breaking from Chevrolet after 50 years has fans buzzing—but whether Childress will embrace change remains the million-dollar question.