NASCAR president drops huge hint about a fourth OEM joining the sport

NASCAR president Steve Phelps has hinted that a fourth OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, could join the sport. Per NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi, the unnamed manufacturer is still negotiation with the league though Phelps admitted feeling optimistic about the entry.

The current manufacturers across NASCAR include Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. Ford and Chevrolet deploy the Mustang and Camaro, respectively, while Toyota fields the Camry in the Cup and the Supra in the Xfinity Series. In the Craftsman Truck Series, the list consists of the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra.

Jordan Bianchi took to X (formerly Twitter) to report about the rumored fourth manufacturer joining the stock car racing league. He wrote:

“Phelps says a fourth OEM is ‘close’ to entering the sport and negotiations are ongoing to make that deal happen. ‘I'm cautiously optimistic.’”

The last time the field had four manufacturers was in 2012 when Dodge won the championship with Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing. Dodge left the sport after Penske Racing switched to Ford in 2013, leaving the league with the current three manufacturers.

While the NASCAR chief remained mum regarding the unnamed manufacturer, Dodge could be one of the frontrunners to return to the grid. However, it would be interesting to see how that pans out considering the automaker has already dropped its V8 program to accelerate electrification.

Honda is another manufacturer expected to make an entry in the sport. The Japan-based manufacturer could use its connection in IndyCar to find teams to partner with in the stock car racing league.

Earlier this year, the manufacturer was reportedly in talks about joining the sport, with NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell saying that negotiations for a fourth OEM were heating up.

But then again, no official word has been issued regarding the matter.

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NASCAR sued by two teams for alleged monopolistic practices

Last month, 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports, filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR for alleged monopolistic practices. The teams said the league didn’t give teams fair negotiation opportunities, thus refusing to sign the charter deal extensions.

The Toyota-based 23XI Racing team hired Jeffrey Kessler to lead the lawsuit. In an episode of Dale Earnhardt Jr. DJD Reloaded, Kessler explained that NASCAR was operating illegally by monopolizing the stock car racing scene in the US.

“What we are arguing here is that NASCAR is a monopoly," Kessler said. "No surprise to NASCAR fans; there is no alternative to NASCAR not just in this country but frankly, around the world. And it got its monopoly illegally. The reason it got it illegally is because it tied up all the racetracks in the country. Because it doesn't let any of the teams compete for any other racing circuit."

On the other hand, Chris Yates is representing NASCAR in the ongoing lawsuit battle.

With 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports not signing the multi-year charter extension, the teams don’t have guaranteed entries to races starting next season. Notably, the teams have filed for a preliminary injunction so that their drivers can still compete on the track.