Chevrolet Prepares to Revive Camaro in Cup Series, NASCAR Manufacturers Embrace EV Wave

Toyota and Ford had new body designs for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. However, Chevrolet decided to stick to its old design, and it seems pre-planned as General Motors is looking to roll out the new product for the 2026 season. The big question everyone had was whether or not the Camaro branding will return on the Chevy cars next year.

If we go by the latest developments and rumors around the NASCAR community, Chevy is likely to retain the Camaro design for next year. Not only that, the manufacturers have also been hard at work on the EV car designs. Fans had a glimpse of the hybrid car during the Chicago race weekend, but it seems Dana White’s partnership with NASCAR might be nearing its fruition.

Chevrolet is expected to retain the Camaro body design for its race cars

GM announced that they would cease the production of the Chevy Camaro, with the 2024 edition being its last model. While the race cars aren’t exactly similar to the normal on-road passenger vehicle, the branding does make a huge difference. The body design in itself is huge for these OEMs to promote their products as they try to sell what they are promoting on the racetrack.

Interestingly, NASCAR cannot force and issue a mandate on the manufacturer to change the design or branding of their race cars. Thus allowing them to run with the body design as long as the manufacturer wants. And while the Camaro might not be available in the showrooms for sale, the teams can run with the body design. This was evident from the early renders of William Byron’s No. 24 race car for the 2025 season. The only big difference here was the absence of the Camaro ZL1 badge, with Chevrolet branding etched on the rear of the car.

Sharing an update regarding the same, a fan page named nascarrumornostalgia wrote, “Apparently the new EV car is far enough along in development that manufacturers are making and submitting body designs to NASCAR. The 2026 Chevy Cup body is well on its way also.”

As the above post suggests, NASCAR and its manufacturers might be on the final lap with their EV project. NASCAR has partnered with ABB, a company specializing in electrification and automatic to help the sport push beyond its traditional boundaries. The Next-Gen platform certainly has propelled NASCAR to spread its wings and reduce its carbon footprint. And while combustion engines are here to stay, the first domino has fallen, which could lead to more changes.

But how exactly will NASCAR incorporate an EV race car in the sport when fans are outright not in favor of such drastic changes?

Garage 56 entry might help NASCAR navigate its path to sustainable change

NASCAR certainly gave themselves a pat on the back after the first successful EV prototype made its way to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. The race car Garage 56 participated in the endurance race event as an innovative entry. The car was the modified version of the Next Gen Camaro ZL1 race car. The big difference was the larger fuel cell, carbon brake discs, and special Goodyear tires designed for the race.

As it turns out, the prototype model that was featured during the Chicago Race weekend is something all three manufacturers—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—have collaborated on. Going by the rumors, they are close to submitting their body designs of what an EV car would look like. Of course, with the car being on Next-Gen platforms, the parts and pieces are expected to be the same, with the bodies being the differentiator.

Now will NASCAR risk the fan’s outrage by rolling out a fully eclectic engine race car? Probably not. John Probst, NASCAR senior vice president and chief racing development officer, however, has kept the option open: “There’s no plans right now to have a series that’s electric. But I will also say I learned a long time ago you never say ‘never’ or ‘always,’ so that’s a good life lesson.”

Not to forget, Dana White, the UFC President, also spilled the beans on how he’s helping get NASCAR’s EV project on its legs. “I’m flying to NASCAR, and we’re doing a deal with NASCAR. We’re going to be the electric series for NASCAR.” This was seen as a project where NASCAR would branch out with a new series featuring EV race cars. Dana White’s partner Travis Pastrana is the brain behind the success of the Nitrocross Series with the addition of electric-powered race cars.

It’s hard to tell whether NASCAR will branch out or start a new series with its EV offering. But, going by their efforts, they are slowly but steadily gaining more progress with their innovation for sustainability. How exactly will the traditional fans react to this change is something that only time can tell.