NASCAR has been rumored to add a fourth manufacturer for several years, but none of the talks have gone across the finish line. From Dodge to Honda, several OEMs have been linked to NASCAR as it only has three, including Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. However, what is the latest on NASCAR’s efforts to attract a fourth manufacturer?
On the final weekend of the 2024 season at Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR held its annual “State of the Sport” address. NASCAR President Steve Phelps was asked about a potential fourth OEM and gave a long and detailed answer.
“I would say is that we’re in different phases depending on the OEs,” Phelps said. “Right now we’re in discussion with several OEs about coming in. I won’t get into exactly where those are and who they are, but we have an OE that is close. That OE has buy-out from those that are in the racing portion of that. So it really just comes down to the business portion and can we strike a deal that is advantageous for them and for us? Are we the right fit for their brand? Are we not?”
JOEY LOGANO DOES IT! ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/k06vXoW8DZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 10, 2024
“But I’m cautiously optimistic, and then we need to being accelerate the other discussions we’ve had because I think in our opinion five is probably the right number of OEs. Obviously we’re at three right now. Would the frontrunner, if you will — we are a couple of years away. It takes a while obviously to get up and running, but we’re excited about it because we would like to have another OE or two. So do our existing three OEs. They want to have additional competition from additional OEs for a number of reasons.”
Notably, NASCAR is “close” to possibly adding a fourth manufacturer, but there might be a more significant piece of news. The sport believes five different OEMs is the right number, which means two additions would need to take place. It’s unclear which manufacturers are in talks with NASCAR, but any new OEMs would be welcomed with open arms.
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