A bit of good news from NASCAR Truck Series.....Dodge er Ram is coming back in 26

[Cranky]

After how many years of being gone......uh, 10. These days I don't watch too much unless the race is on one of the more exciting tracks.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Chrysler plans to be back in cup in 27 or 28. Working with NASCAR on a new engine.
In truck and ARCA they all share a basic spec engine ( 6.2 Liter ) with the heads being the difference between manufacturers.
Chrysler (specifically Ram Trucks) is scheduled to enter the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. While they haven't disclosed specific engine details yet, it's highly likely they will utilize the Ilmor NT1 engine, which is currently the spec engine for the Truck Series.

Here's why this is the case:

• Ilmor NT1 is the spec engine: Since 2018, the NASCAR Truck Series has increasingly standardized on the Ilmor NT1 engine to control costs and ensure parity amongst competitors.
• Ram's strategy aligns with this: Ram entering the truck series is seen as a way for the manufacturer to get back into NASCAR at a lower cost, and the NT1's goal of cost-effectiveness aligns with this.
• No immediate engine development needed: The truck series offers a great entry point for a manufacturer because it doesn't immediately require getting a new engine approved and available.

While the SB2 engine was approved for use in the Truck Series in the past, recent years have seen a move towards the standardized Ilmor NT1 engine for cost and competitive reasons.

Therefore, it's highly probable that Ram will use the Ilmor NT1 engine in the NASCAR Truck Series when they return in 2026.

 

[Photon440]

If you're going to use a Chevy engine (Ilmore NT1), then why bother putting a Ram body around it?

 

[monaco66coupe]

yup, they just lost me.

 

[Cranky]

yup, they just lost me.

Most people have no idea what engine is in a race vehicle....

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

If you're going to use a Chevy engine (Ilmore NT1), then why bother putting a Ram body around it?

I do agree but this is what ARCA and trucks have been doing for years to allow underfunded teams to compete with the big boys. Do I agree... Hell no but it is what it is these days. Chrysler is working on a new Cup series engine for Sunday but then again it is heavily regulated by NASCAR specs. and dyno testing to keep an even playing field between manufacturers so we will see what they come up with. I personally am glad they are back in the game but all they are doing is trying to sell cars on Monday like the olden days !
Whats the old saying... Win on Sunday and Sell on Monday !

 

[Photon440]

I do agree but this is what ARCA and trucks have been doing for years to allow underfunded teams to compete with the big boys. Do I agree... Hell no but it is what it is these days. Chrysler is working on a new Cup series engine for Sunday but then again it is heavily regulated by NASCAR specs. and dyno testing to keep an even playing field between manufacturers so we will see what they come up with. I personally am glad they are back in the game but all they are doing is trying to sell cars on Monday like the olden days !
Whats the old saying... Win on Sunday and Sell on Monday !

Yes, and whoever wins, Chevrolet can say that they did it. Someone should come up with a novel idea; racing factory stock vehicles.

 

[monaco66coupe]

if Nascar wants people to cheer for the particular driver, then why even bother to name the brand of car being raced?
apparently the style of the car is the only difference between them then?
why chevy, not a ford engine? to keep the playing field even was never the intention for the " Back in the day" manufacturers.
Yes i know, i am from the stone age.
When I was watching Nascar, I cheered for the Mopar car, and did not care at all as to who the driver was.

 

[Cranky]

Someone should come up with a novel idea; racing factory stock vehicles.

Pure stock....that might be boring lol

if Nascar wants people to cheer for the particular driver, then why even bother to name the brand of car being raced?
apparently the style of the car is the only difference between them then?
why chevy, not a ford engine? to keep the playing field even was never the intention for the " Back in the day" manufacturers.
Yes i know, i am from the stone age.
When I was watching Nascar, I cheered for the Mopar car, and did not care at all as to who the driver was.

Back in the old days it made the factories come up with better aero and better engines. Basically, the big boys got the best stuff while the 'little' guy got the left overs. One of the reasons why NASCAR got involved deeper with what could be done to the cars and what it has become these days.

 

[WileE]

What is "NASCAR" ? {sarcasm}

 

[Cranky]

What is "NASCAR" ? {sarcasm}

CRASHCAR......

 

[WileE]

CRASHCAR......

Sadly, I've lost all interest long ago.

 

[Cranky]

Sadly, I've lost all interest long ago.

Haven't backed away completely but a lot. Used to watch qualifying AND practice when it was televised....and now I don't and pretty much only watch certain races. Also used to watch the top 3 series and some ARCA and some dirt racing but mostly the WoO cars.

 

[Billccm]

When Bill France said he wanted the fan base to change from the white redneck southern boy to a diverse culture I gave him what he asked for......

 

[Dennis H]

They now have to come in and pee,hydrate,and rest a couple times during the race. Bullshit.
When that Daytona broke 200 mph there was none of this ****. Bias Ply too. When men were MEN!

 

[cr8crshr]

After MOPAR left 10 years ago or so, I lost any and all interest in it. All the lefthand roundy round, boogety boogety crap just made it even more intolerable to watch. And nowadays, all the fighting taking place between drivers and teams, it just ain't worth watching and wasting an afternoon or DVR recording space. Now, when they race on a road course, then that is driving and a much better type of racing IMHFO!!! cr8crshr/Bill

 

[Cranky]

They now have to come in and pee,hydrate,and rest a couple times during the race. Bullshit.
When that Daytona broke 200 mph there was none of this ****. Bias Ply too. When men were MEN!

????? When do NASCAR drivers come in to pee during a race? F1 drivers?

After MOPAR left 10 years ago or so, I lost any and all interest in it. All the lefthand roundy round, boogety boogety crap just made it even more intolerable to watch. And nowadays, all the fighting taking place between drivers and teams, it just ain't worth watching and wasting an afternoon or DVR recording space. Now, when they race on a road course, then that is driving and a much better type of racing IMHFO!!! cr8crshr/Bill

Well, Darrell Waltrip or whatever his name is dosn't do the boogety boogety crap anymore thank goodness. I like DW because he gave Earnhardt a hard time but didn't like his antics in the 'booth'. Btw, I wasn't a Dale hater but didn't like some of his on track 'style' crap. He was a good driver but so was Kyle Busch but he was a total asshole for too many years and did stuff that should have got him banned from racing especially so in the Truck Series. I now am for anyone but Kyle to win in any series lol

 

[monaco66coupe]

The last time I watched a race was when they let richard petty go out as a tribute in his 67 belvedere, but he refused to come back in! That was funny!
I own a 67 GTX today just because in high school (1967) when I was a rabid fan He won damn near every race in that car!