The Future of Dodge – Teams in NASCAR?

GMS Racing

Rising from the ashes of Richard Childress Racing’s Truck Series organization, GMS Racing has quickly become one of the leading contenders in the series. They will be expanding too, with at least three full-time trucks in 2017, and a full-time Xfinity Series operation. But is Cup in their future?

In 2016, Johnny Sauter drove the GMS Racing stable to their best year, winning the Camping World Truck Series title and securing multiple wins alongside teammates Ben Kennedy, Spencer Gallagher, and a rotating cast of characters. The team is owned and paid for primarily by Maurice Gallagher Jr., President and CEO of Allegiant Travel. His companies compose the majority of the sponsors of the team, despite an affiliation with Richard Childress Racing.

Should GMS be ready to move up with Dodge, the manufacturer could infuse some more cash into the team. They do have some of the strongest ties to Chevrolet in the Truck Series, but as they move up the ranks of NASCAR, other teams will come ahead of them in the pecking order. After all, GMS Racing will fall behind JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and Chip Ganassi Racing (at least) in 2017 in the Xfinity Series.

If Dodge were to move back into stock car racing, GMS Racing could provide the marque an outlet in the lower divisions, while also creating a path forward for this young team to the premier level.