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What Will Chevy Run In NASCAR After The Camaro Is Dead?

As first reported by GM Authority, the final Chevy Camaro will roll off the assembly line before the end of 2023 after a condensed production run, bringing an end to the sixth generation of the iconic muscle car. That leaves Chevy in a sticky situation when it comes to its NASCAR efforts, as there’s not yet a clear successor to replace the Camaro in the Cup and Xfinity Series. Like you, we can’t help but wonder – what will replace the Camaro in NASCAR once it’s gone?

Currently, Chevy-allied NASCAR teams race the Camaro ZL1 in the Cup Series, while teams in the Xfinity Series utilize the “regular” Camaro. The NASCAR-going Camaros, which don’t share any common parts with the road-going Camaro on sale at dealers, are still very competitive. In fact, The Bow Tie had more wins than rivals Ford and Toyota during the 2023 season, though it lost the championship.

Before going into alternatives to the Camaro, we should note that NASCAR guidelines state that a manufacturer must compete with a vehicle that’s in production at the time of its original submission. As such, The Bow Tie could simply continue to race with the defunct muscle car. Since it was in production at the time of its submission for the 2018 NASCAR season, it’s still considered a valid competitor beyond 2024.

Of course, there would be no direct advantage to racing an out-of-production nameplate in terms of the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mantra. So while it would be a strange choice to continue with the Camaro, such a decision would be perfectly legal as far as NASCAR guidelines are concerned.

With that in mind, there are a few directions the automaker could go post-Camaro, with perhaps the most obvious choice being the Chevy Malibu. The four-door sedan’s design would readily lend itself to a next-gen NASCAR vehicle.

2024 Chevy Malibu

A Malibu in NASCAR wouldn’t be without precedent, given that Toyota fields the Camry in the Cup Series. On the street, the Camry is a direct rival to the Malibu, albeit the Toyota is the sales volume champion of its segment, outselling the Malibu more than two-fold.

However, it’s no secret that automakers – including Chevy and parent GM – have largely turned their backs on sedans. For instance, the Malibu is the only remaining sedan sold by Chevrolet, while GM as a whole only offers two more sedans in its entire portfolio – the Cadillac CT4 and CT5, having discontinued the remaining sedans from Chevy, Cadillac, and Buick. Not surprisingly, there have been rumblings that the future of NASCAR lies in crossovers, with an illustration leaked earlier this month bearing a resemblance to the Blazer EV.

A concept artwork of a NASCAR crossover race car.

NASCAR crossover race car concept art

That would result in not only a crossover, but also a battery electric vehicle, competing in what would likely be the EV support series, which was leaked last year. In fact, the sanctioning body has indicated that it will reevaluate its gas-burning habits within the next few years, opening the door for a potential Bow Tie EV race car. Let’s not forget that the Next-Gen race car, which debuted for the 2022 season, was designed with electrification in mind.

Chevy Blazer EV SS

Forced to make a prediction, we’d wager that Chevy will continue to run the Camaro in the Cup Series for as long as it can, while fielding the Blazer EV SS in a new NASCAR EV series. Whether this will be desirable for NASCAR fans, racing enthusiasts, or onlookers is another question entirely.

We’ll be here to keep you up to date on all things Chevy and NASCAR, so stay glued to GM Authority and subscribe for more Chevy newsNASCAR newsGM motorsports news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. Might as well call it “Low Cab Forward”, for what a Series car has in common with what’s actually on the lots!

    Actually… does it even need a model name? Just call it “Chevrolet” and leave it at that. For a while now it’s been just “Chevy” or “Ford” or “Toyota” which get mentioned anyway, not the model they’re advertising.

    Reply
    1. If you have actually watched a NASCAR race, you would clearly know that your comment about the vehicles being referred to as just Chevy, Ford or Toyota is completely incorrect. Maybe somewhere else that you read or watch does, completely false concerning the actual events.
      Now, the NASCAR rules need changed to accommodate the changes in the automobile market of today. Otherwise, if you don’t make a car, you really can’t compete in a “car series”….

      Reply
      1. Didn’t know Toyota offered a two-door V8 Camry….

        Reply
        1. Let’s face it, GM doesn’t have anything that could replace the Camaro. How could they keep racing a car (Camaro) in 2025 that doesn’t exist? GM has always been the manufacturer that built excitement, but now are committed to building boring & it seems to be under Government rule ..

          Reply
          1. Have you ever watched a local late model race and noticed how many mid 80’s Monte ss’s are in the field? How about ARCA?? Which is owned by NASCAR. Still running Impala SS and SS sedan neither of which have been in production for years

            Reply
          2. The CT5-V Blackwing?

            Reply
      2. I do watch NASCAR and 5500 is correct, the model names are seldom mentioned.

        Reply
        1. Run the new Chevy chevelle super sport

          Reply
    2. Enter the Chevy Bolt SS

      (And the crowd goes wild)

      Reply
    3. Right? Who would look at that picture and say, “Oh yeah, that’s a Camero”

      Reply
      1. *Camaro

        Reply
    4. The cameras gone but what about that new Chevy Cheverly super sport?.

      Reply
  2. You totally forgot to mention the NHRA runs the Camaro. Needless to say they have once again dropped the ball and there is only one person to blame. Hope she falls on the sword soon

    Reply
    1. in 2003-04 funny cars ran with old camaro body. post 2006 pro stock ran old grand prix bodies, so its no concern in nhra

      Reply
      1. Nick, read the NHRA rulebook concerning what body styles may be used for funny car.

        Reply
  3. They’ll run an electric Honda CR-V clone and pat themselves on the backs for thinking they are so clever. Bunch of out of touch Boomers.

    Reply
  4. Malibu SS.

    Reply
    1. It will be just that.

      Reply
  5. Malibu sound goodSy

    Reply
  6. The corrupt biden admin and GM corporate need to be sued into oblivion until chevy fields a 2+2 production v8. This is beyond unacceptable. While I love the camaro, I would tolerate an impala or Monte Carlo or even a nova. But the malibu does not justify a nascar presence and EV nascar will not be attended or watched by moi.
    )

    Reply
    1. GM gave up on the Camaro when Al Openheiser was booted from the Camaro program and placed into Electric Propulsion Systems back in December 2018.
      Camaro started to slump in sales as the 6th gen came about, and a business decision was made for all the eggs in the electric basket.
      GMA has an article on the movement.

      Reply
      1. I’m fully aware of all of that. I am utterly disgusted by it. It’s appalling. I’ve even considered jumping ship and drivig a Mopar. I’ve owned 3 firebird, 3 camaros, 1 vette and 2 fieros in my lifetime (one of which was LS4 swapped). I will never abandon the v8 lifestyle. Again. This corrupt biden admin needs to be taken down, and GM should opt out of the commie battery initiative immediately and restore the best nameplate in the company

        Reply
    2. LOL, the auto industry has been moving away from ICE-powered vehicles long before Biden became president. Nice try though…

      Reply
  7. How about bringing back the Chevrolet ss

    Reply
  8. Imho….NASCAR is trapped in their own “sunshine”.

    Reply
  9. I bet it will be the Impala . It’s coming back

    Reply
    1. A lot of interest on line lately about a performance 2025 Impala.

      Jim Campbell has already stated that they are working on a Camaro replacement.

      Reply
  10. I have very little knowledge about the rules, but why is the Corvette not a possibility?

    Reply
    1. Because no amount of stickers in the world could make that nascar body look like a corvette.🤪

      Reply
      1. Toyota does it with the Supra in the Xfinity series… Talk about an awkward looking race car though.

        Reply
      2. Done with nascar. Nhra gets my money now.
        Put the ev’s where the sun don’t shine.

        Reply
    2. Corvette Racing has the market cornered in IMSA and WEC. There is no need to expand into NASCAR.

      Reply
  11. Go back to stock car racing.

    Reply
    1. Its called IMSA GT Racing. That’s probably the closest you will find to “Stock Cars”.

      Reply
  12. Chevy is continuing with Camaro in NASCAR and NHRA, no plan to change in the near future

    Reply
  13. You have to have cars first to have stock car racing. What you have now is SUV’s and pickup trucks.

    Reply
  14. Using a crossover for racing doesn’t make sense IMO. These are not for racing…Race cars need to be low (less wind resistance) and 2 door (no back seat required)! The gen 6 Camaro is the best they’ve ever built. Yes, sales were low, but it’s the best pony car produced. Sales volume is important but not everything. There a lot to be said for building the best car in the category. Good for the brand. GM’s decisions are highly questionable.

    Reply
  15. If NASCAR decides to create an EV series, it will be their Bud Lite moment! If NASCAR was smart, they should survey their audience before spending billions on developing an EV series.

    Reply
  16. NASCAR EV Racin’? OH!!!!! That will suck the big one. GM is missing the boat Big Time, dropping the Camaro is just plain nuts. Nascar has been “modifying OEM bodies for years. They look nothing like production cars. With the at track attendance dropping off like crazy, what do you think will happen if Nascar goes all EV? America isn’t taking too EV’s now! Racing them will offer a no fun experiance for the crowds. Chevy needs a car to enter. Maybe they will bring back the Impala. It’s anybody’s guess. Anything, but EV’s!!!!!!

    Reply
  17. “The one thing that Nascar EV feared….has now occured. The Big One in Turn 4, as Blaney’s Mustang Mach E got airborne and landed directly on the pack trailing behind him, including Byron’s #24 Blazer E, Keslowski’s Mustang MachE, the Ally #48 of Bowman and at least 10 other battery powered racers. Every race car involved in this wreck has suffered a battery thermal runaway. The fans are running for the parking lot while the intense heat from the battery explosions and fires has caused the high banks on Turn 4 to literally start melting down! And this just in, the Governor has issued evacuation orders for all areas within a 10 mile radius of Talladega Super Speedway…………..”

    Reply
    1. That could happen. Also, how are they gonna “Refuel”? Speed chargers? Battery swaps? This all make zero sense. Americur, is not ready for EV’s. It will take 30-40 more years for this to happen. If it ever does! When a Republican gets back in charge, we “Drill Baby Drill. We will become energy independant again. Fossel fuels make the world go round. K.I.S.S.

      Reply
      1. Current U.S. oil production is at the highest level in history.

        Reply
  18. Chevelle? Ya nerd?

    Reply
    1. He’ll yes.look at comments forward about10 min worth

      Reply
  19. What about the chevelle ?

    Reply
  20. Run the spark

    Reply
  21. I think all the performance stuff for GM will eventually be Cadillac!

    Reply
  22. NASCAR will present “hybrid” technology on track before EV. I seem to remember that Chevy said that the “Camaro as we know it” will end in 2024. My guess is they quickly reintroduce a hybrid Camaro before the 2025 Daytona 500…

    Reply
  23. NASCAR had a rule you couldn’t run a body style over three years old. Outdated cars went to ARCA. Don’t know if that is still current? GM isn’t selling any Camaros even if they win on Sunday. Maybe they will just pullout? What is their return on investment?

    Reply
  24. With Camaro gone, Cadillac should make the CT4-V in a coupe and convertible. The CT4 is built in the same plant as Camaro. Then the CT4-V could run in NASCAR.

    Reply
  25. Dodge said their Chargers and Challengers are going electric, they made a big mistake, now they are going back to using the Hurricane turbo six, VERY SMART MOVE, Ford says they are still building V8s as for long as they can, VERY, VERY, SMART MOVE. GM, well they are very excited in the production of SHOE BOX styled, SUVs, SPORTS UTILITY VANS. BOY, have they REALLY lost the plot.

    Reply
  26. Dodge was going all electric with the Charger and Challenger, now they have changed their minds and are going to use the Hurricane Turbo six, SMART MOVE, Ford says they are going to make V8s for as long as they are allowed, VERY, VERY, VERY SMART MOVE, GM, well have really fallen in love making shoe-box styled SUVs, sports utility vans. BOY, have they lost the plot.

    Reply
  27. Been done with nascar since Jr left. NASCAR has gone soft. A bunch of whinny kids that throw temper tantrums if someone roughs them up. F1 gets my attention now.

    Reply
    1. u must really like those “whinny” kids if u watch F1 lmfao

      Reply
  28. I heard that they are bringing back the Chevet

    Reply
  29. just looked at the restyled 2024 Camry on the Nascar website, last month they showed the 2024 restyled Mustang for Nascar. both ready to race next year. What has GM got??????????????????????????????????????????
    Sitting right under our noses, the Cadillac CT5 Blackwing. Cadillac is in all forms of racing around the world, and soon to be in Formula one . Why not introduce a classy CT5 into Nascar. Nascar loves introducing new road courses, because of the classy CT5 Nascar could run a street course through Beverley Hills and down Redeo Drive, or better still, how about around Central Park and race down 5TH Avenue. Seems like a win, win all around.

    Reply
  30. Well, it’s obvious. Since gm is going electric. They have a choice. Bolt, Spark, or Volt.

    Reply
  31. Something dorky and electric

    Reply
  32. I would say it will still be Camaro. GM is not stopping production on the Camaro. If you read the announcement, this is the end of the Gen 6 Camaro not the Camaro alltogether.

    Reply
  33. Now i’m beginning to see the “somewhat failed” long term strategy Chevy had for the Camaro ever since the six-generation was introduce back 2016. Many hits and but some definite misses in opportunities to finally address the many complaints online editors and the public gave the current model in which GM should had made it a notarized priority for the now non-upcoming 7th gen. Rumors had of the possible true, naturally aspirated 7.0 LT Z/28 version connecting to a 6 speed manual or 10-speed auto and possibly incorporating the 8-speed dual clutch automatic from the current selling Corvette was something to look forward to at time but now its a complete bust and lost. Which could had been game changer unless the new probable Camaro is that two door coupe(not four) with similar shape/form to the present one that either have a unique gas-electric hybrid(reversed variation of the Corvette E-ray) drive-train or be completely electric with motors front and back..

    Reply
    1. Nobody seems to realize if you can’t sell enough of something then you move on gm can’t keep the camar just cause nascar needs it. Of the customer base is drying up you move on just like the monte Carlo and others before it.GM has a production v8 rearwheel drive blast from the past in their laps anyways its the new Chevy Chevelle super sport.dont know if production numbers are in line with what nascar wants but you can’t run nascar without a chevy/Ford duel.plus nascar I’m sure new this time would come around just how soon was anybody guess.

      Reply
  34. If nascar ever goes electric I’ll be done with it. It’s getting worse every year as it is.

    Reply
    1. Same here! I’ll be done too. There were reports of an EV exhibition race at the Coliseum. However, they never materialized.

      Reply
  35. Well, if they use the Malibu and use any part from the streetcar prepare for it to break down within end of first stage LOL. If I remember correctly, they are bringing back the Chevelle I thought.

    Reply
  36. They really need to get rid of the race on Sunday by on Monday concept. It hasn’t worked for years. This older generation is nothing but yearning for real racing anyway. NASCAR has sunken so fast. Horsepower it’s all about horsepower turn them loose guys. Doesn’t matter what the manufacturer is it depends on the individuals working on them. Let those talented gentlemen do their thing and leave all this other crap behind. Again I say the race on Sunday by on Monday has been a flop for 35 years now. Let it go guys let’s race

    Reply
  37. Corvette…
    Chevy made the first mid engined sports car that’ causes you to lose your appetite .
    Toyota uses the Supra in the Xfinity series so the rules against 2 seat sports dars no longer applies .

    Reply
  38. EV’s are garbage, not going to replace ICE any time soon. The smart automobile companies are looking beyond EV’s. The Japanese auto makers are working with Shell Oil on alternatives such as synthetic fuel. The whole EV push was and is a nefarious idea derived by a hand full of muti billionaires who want to control every aspect of our lives. Look to Japan working with Shell Oil to come up with synthetic fuel that will have an extremely low carbon output. Now, as far as NASCAR goes. If they go EV racing, they will in a very short time span, cease to exist. I for one will never watch or attend an EV race. One thing is an absolute certain tee, Biden and his merry band of misfits of an administration needs to be removed. The destruction done to our Nation by these Washington criminals should not go unpunished. Sense EV’s are not selling, hopefully GM will get the drift, the majority of people don’t want what the corrupted government is trying to force upon us. In less than a year, we could have a whole new direction with a whole new president and administration. But there are very powerful and very corrupt group of people, very few in numbers that will try their best to keep that from happening. Washington is full of political prostitutes who have sold their souls for financial and political gain. One of the biggest prostitutes in Washinton inhabitants the white house. And to think, he is the most unqualified and most corrupt president to have ever been selected. Let’s hope NASCAR listens to those who make the sport possible. Without us, they will not survive.

    Reply
  39. Just go Corvette… only high powered muscle car left in GM. WHEN Corvette dies, so does GM. Who want to racecan EV? Well, no hearing protection needed. All races would have to be < 100 miles. Pit stops will be 12 hours, not 12 seconds. Have to increase fire protection for drivers and pit crew. 500 mike races would only take a week to finish. Sunoco Racing electric fuel. Kind of has a ring to it.

    Reply
  40. IROC continued racing Trans Ams until 2007 despite the fact the Trans Am production ended in 2002. So I expect to see Camaros for a while before they change the name. The car itself won’t change regardless.

    Reply
  41. Malibu SS??

    Reply
  42. Watched a NASCAR race lately? Watching Kansas now…description: boring, BORING. Where did all the excitement go? I dont care if they race Twackers turned backwards! I WANT THE EXCITEMENT BACK! All this parity/equity has ruined the racing. They all look the same, sound the same, act the same…monkey see, monkey do. HELP !!

    Reply
    1. You must not have seen today’s finish at Kansas I take it? Closest finish in NASCAR history, my guy

      Reply
      1. I thought yesterday’s Kanasa race was pretty exciting. There were many lead changes. Furthermore, banging doors to the finish line was also exciting. The rain delay was the one boring action.

        Reply
      2. Drop the corvette idea. Go with what you got THE CHEVELLE SS.

        Reply
  43. Followed by Bankruptcy in 2026

    Reply
  44. If nascar goes electric my days of watching are done. We go to the races for the sound of the engines. You’ll never hear crank it up ever again.

    Reply
  45. I so want to point out something. Since the Win on Sunday, Sale on Monday doesn’t mean a thing. To Date there is NO V8 -RWD Toyota Camry being sold on this Planet to the Public. It has Never existed, same for the Supra Inline 6-RWD Never ever sold with a V8. SO WHY are they on and in NASCAR??? Camaro is a nice car. I like the ’72 Split Bumper Camaro’s. Ford is a Ford and a Mustang is a mustang, big deal. Just like a Charger is a Charger, except after 2006 Chargers with 4 Doors is freaking stupid. As it is Toyota bought their way into NASCAR. And all these Companies that have Bought up American Car Manufacturers, that crap needs to stop. All these Foreign CEO’s don’t know crap about America. And the Day NASCAR goes EV will be the last time I watch it. As it is I haven’t watch much of NASCAR the last couple of years. Because of the folks running it, care more about money than the sport itself. Besides it’s not a family thing anymore, cause it costs a couple thousand dollars to go to a race.

    Reply
  46. When dodgefinally figured out nascar was getting more and more EXSPENSIVE THEN TOYOTA WANTING TO GET INTO NASCAR,STARTED LOOKING FOR TEAMS TO JOIN THEM,ON THE HOPING NASCAR WILL APPROVE THE CAMRY.THE OTHER CARS WHERE FRANKENSTEINES.$$ CANMAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE. (Gm. Bring out that new chevelle ss your so proud of.gm lifer.

    Reply
  47. WHAT A SHAME. CHEVY IS DEAD. THEY HAVE TURNED THEIR BACKS ON YOUNG BUYERS. they are buying Korean cars now. Me, Im buying a Subaru BRZ, a real sports car for 35k made in Japan. Chevy wont build one anywhere so they lost that sale.

    Reply

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