While Chevrolet has not made an official announcement, strong rumors and industry analysis suggest the Chevrolet Malibu is the most likely candidate to replace the Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2026. This aligns with NASCAR’s tradition of featuring four-door sedans and provides a practical, recognizable model for fans.
If you follow NASCAR, you know the cars on the track are a huge part of the excitement. For years, the Chevy Camaro has been a roaring icon for Team Chevy. But big changes are coming. The street version of the Camaro is being discontinued, which means NASCAR needs a new hero car from Chevrolet. This leaves fans and drivers wondering, “What’s next?”
It can feel confusing with all the rumors and whispers flying around. You might hear one thing from a friend and another online. Don’t worry, I’m here to help clear things up. We’ll look at the most likely options, break down the leaks, and explain what this all means for the future of racing. Let’s explore what car Chevy will likely use to chase the checkered flag in 2026.
The End of an Era: Why the Chevy Camaro is Leaving NASCAR
For years, the aggressive styling and powerful presence of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 have been a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series. It has carried legendary drivers to victory lane and has become a fan favorite. However, the story of the Camaro on the racetrack is tied to the one on the showroom floor.
In 2024, Chevrolet officially ended production of the sixth-generation Camaro. When an automaker stops making a car for the public, it usually doesn’t take long for them to replace it in their racing programs. The whole idea of “stock car” racing is to promote the cars you can actually buy. With no new Camaros to sell, it’s time for a change.
Despite this, Chevrolet and General Motors have made it very clear they are fully committed to NASCAR. Jim Campbell, GM’s U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports, has assured everyone that Chevy isn’t going anywhere. This means a new model is definitely on the way, and the search for the Camaro’s successor has already begun behind the scenes.
Who Are the Top Contenders for 2026?
With the Camaro bowing out, Chevrolet has a few interesting options for its next NASCAR Cup Series entry. Each one comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s break down the three most talked-about possibilities: the practical choice, the dream choice, and the mystery choice.
Contender #1: The Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu is widely considered the front-runner to become the next face of Team Chevy in NASCAR. It’s a four-door sedan, which fits perfectly with the historical image of a “stock car.” Before the Camaro, Chevy’s primary model in the Cup Series was the Impala and the SS, both four-door sedans.
Pros of the Malibu:
- Traditional Body Style: As a sedan, it directly competes with the Toyota Camry and looks right at home on the oval.
- Brand Recognition: The Malibu is a well-known nameplate that has been around for decades. It’s a practical, everyday car that many fans can relate to.
- Marketing Synergy: Using the Malibu would help Chevrolet promote a core, high-volume model to millions of race fans every weekend.
Cons of the Malibu:
- Lacks a “Performance” Image: The current Malibu is known more for being a reliable family car than a high-performance machine. Chevy would need to build a performance image for it.
- Uncertain Future: Like many sedans, the future of the Malibu itself is a topic of discussion within the auto industry, though a next-generation model is rumored.
Contender #2: The Chevrolet Corvette
What about the Corvette? This is the option that gets many fans excited. The Corvette is Chevrolet’s flagship sports car, a true American icon known for its performance. Seeing it adapted for NASCAR would be a thrilling sight.
Pros of the Corvette:
- High-Performance Pedigree: The Corvette is born and bred for speed. Its image aligns perfectly with the spirit of racing.
- Massive Fan Appeal: A Corvette stock car would generate huge buzz and excitement, potentially drawing in new fans.
- Follows Ford’s Lead: Ford successfully transitioned from the Fusion sedan to the two-door Mustang, setting a precedent for using a “pony car” or sports car.
Cons of the Corvette:
- Doesn’t Fit the Mold: The Corvette is a pure two-seat sports car, not a sedan. Adapting its proportions to the NASCAR Next Gen chassis could be awkward and might not look right.
- Breaks Tradition: While the Mustang works, the Corvette is in a different class. It might be too far of a departure from NASCAR’s roots for some.
Contender #3: The “Wildcard” – A New or Unnamed Model
There is also a chance that Chevrolet could surprise everyone. The automotive world is changing fast, with a major shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) and new types of sedans. Chevy could use this opportunity to introduce a brand-new model or even an EV-inspired car to the track.
This option is the biggest question mark. It could be a new performance sedan designed to compete globally, or it could be a model that hints at Chevrolet’s electric future, like the Blazer EV or another upcoming vehicle. This would be a bold move, showing that Chevy and NASCAR are looking toward the future. However, it’s also the riskiest, as it relies on a car that fans don’t know yet.
Comparing the Potential Replacements Side-by-Side
To make it easier to see the differences, let’s put the main contenders in a simple table. This helps show why the Malibu is often seen as the most logical, if not the most exciting, choice.
| Contender | Likelihood | Key Advantage | Biggest Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu | High | Fits the traditional NASCAR sedan mold perfectly. | Building a high-performance image for a family car. |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Low | Generates maximum fan excitement and brand prestige. | Adapting a pure sports car design to the stock car chassis. |
| A New/Unnamed Model | Medium | Allows Chevy to promote its future direction (e.g., EV). | Lacks the name recognition of existing models. |
How NASCAR’s Next Gen Car Platform Changes Everything
To understand Chevy’s decision, you have to know a little about the car they actually race. Since 2022, NASCAR has used the “Next Gen” car. Think of it like a standard skeleton that all the teams use. The chassis, suspension, and most of the core components are the same for everyone, whether it’s a Chevy, Ford, or Toyota.
The automakers are responsible for designing the “body” that fits over this standard chassis. This body is what makes a car look like a Camaro, Mustang, or Camry. This system makes it much easier for a manufacturer like Chevy to introduce a new model. They don’t have to redesign an entire car from scratch—just the outer shell.
This flexibility is key. It means that whether Chevy chooses the Malibu, Corvette, or something totally new, the process of getting it approved and on the track is more streamlined than ever before. You can learn more about this platform directly from NASCAR’s official Next Gen page.
What Are Ford and Toyota Doing? A Look at the Competition
Chevrolet isn’t making this decision in a vacuum. They are always watching their rivals, Ford and Toyota. What the competition is doing on the track plays a big role in Chevy’s strategy.
Ford made a big splash when they replaced their Fusion sedan with the two-door Mustang. It was a huge success, connecting their racing program directly to their most iconic performance car. For 2024, they updated it to the aggressive Mustang Dark Horse body.
Toyota has stuck with tradition. They have successfully raced the Camry for years, and for 2024, they introduced a new Camry XSE body that looks much closer to the redesigned street car. Toyota’s strategy is to highlight their popular, best-selling sedan.
This leaves Chevrolet at a crossroads. Do they follow Ford’s lead with a pure performance car, or do they stick to Toyota’s successful sedan strategy? The Malibu aligns with Toyota’s approach, while the Corvette would be an attempt to one-up Ford’s Mustang.
| Manufacturer | Current NASCAR Model (2024) | Body Style Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Camaro ZL1 | Pony Car (Ending) |
| Ford | Mustang Dark Horse | Pony Car |
| Toyota | Camry XSE | Sedan |
Timeline: When Will We Get an Official Announcement?
Automakers love to build suspense for these kinds of announcements. Chevrolet will likely keep its plans under wraps for as long as possible. However, we can look at past car launches to get a good idea of when we might hear something official.
- Initial Leaks & Rumors (Happening Now): Insiders and reporters start to hear whispers about which model is being tested and developed. This phase has already begun.
- Official Hints (Late 2024 – Early 2025): Chevrolet or top racing executives might drop hints in interviews. They won’t name the car, but they might talk about their “strategy” or “direction.”
- The Official Reveal (Mid-to-Late 2025): Typically, the new car is unveiled the year before it’s set to race. This gives teams time to prepare and allows the marketing to begin. Expect a big press event around the time of a major race or auto show.
- On-Track Debut (February 2026): The new car will hit the track for the first time at the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2026.
This timeline gives Chevrolet plenty of time to finalize the design, get approval from NASCAR, and build a marketing campaign around their new entry.
What Do the Experts and Insiders Say?
In the world of motorsports, there are a few trusted voices that people listen to for the latest news. Many of the most respected NASCAR journalists, like Adam Stern from the Sports Business Journal, have pointed toward a sedan as the most probable replacement. The logic is that General Motors wants to promote a car with broader appeal and higher sales volume than a niche sports car.
The consensus in the garage area seems to be the same. While drivers and crew chiefs might love the idea of a Corvette, the practical and business-minded choice is a sedan. The Malibu name keeps coming up in these discussions because it’s the most recognizable sedan Chevrolet currently offers. Unless Chevy plans to launch a brand-new performance sedan before 2026, the Malibu remains the safest and most logical bet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is the Camaro being replaced in NASCAR?
The Camaro is being replaced because Chevrolet has stopped producing the street version of the car after the 2024 model year. NASCAR manufacturers use the sport to promote cars they sell to the public, so they need to race a model that is currently available.
Will Chevy use an electric car in NASCAR?
It’s very unlikely for 2026. While NASCAR is exploring alternative technologies, including a potential electric series in the future, the Cup Series is expected to stick with V8 internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future. The car body, however, could be styled after an EV model to promote it.
Has a two-door sports car ever raced in the Cup Series before?
Yes! The Ford Mustang is a perfect example. It successfully replaced the Ford Fusion sedan. In the past, cars like the Dodge Challenger and even the Ford Thunderbird, which had two-door versions, also competed. So, there is a precedent, which is why the Corvette is part of the conversation.
What is a “Next Gen” car?
The Next Gen car is NASCAR’s current racing platform, introduced in 2022. All teams use a common chassis and parts, with only the engine and the outer body shell being unique to each manufacturer (Chevy, Ford, Toyota). This lowers costs and makes the racing closer.
When will the new Chevy car debut on the track?
The new Chevrolet model is expected to make its official racing debut at the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, which traditionally begins with the Daytona 500 in February.
Does the NASCAR car have the same engine as the street car?
No, this is a common point of confusion. The NASCAR car body is meant to look like its street counterpart, but the engine is completely different. All NASCAR Cup Series cars use a purpose-built V8 racing engine. A NASCAR Malibu would not have a stock Malibu engine in it.
Who makes the final decision for the new car model?
The final decision is made by high-level executives at Chevrolet and General Motors, in consultation with their motorsports division and key race team partners like Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. NASCAR also has to approve the final design to ensure it meets all technical rules.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Team Chevy
The departure of the Camaro marks the end of an exciting chapter, but it also opens the door to a new beginning for Chevrolet in NASCAR. While the dream of a Corvette stock car is thrilling, all signs point to a more practical and strategic choice. The Chevrolet Malibu appears poised to carry the banner for Team Chevy into 2026 and beyond.
Choosing the Malibu would reconnect Chevrolet’s racing program with a mainstream vehicle that millions of Americans recognize and drive. It would follow the proven, successful path laid by Toyota with the Camry, focusing on brand relevance and a traditional stock car look. While we wait for the official word, one thing is certain: Chevrolet is dedicated to winning, and whatever car they choose, it will be engineered to compete for championships right out of the gate. The future is bright, and the next chapter for Team Chevy is just around the corner.