Are NASCAR engines Ford or Chevy?

Both—NASCAR teams run engines branded by Ford and Chevrolet, and also Toyota. There isn’t a single “NASCAR engine.” Instead, each manufacturer supplies purpose-built V8 race engines to its aligned teams under common NASCAR rules, so the engine you see depends on the team and manufacturer alliance.

How NASCAR engines are chosen and built

NASCAR sets strict technical regulations for engines—displacement, architecture, rev limits via air-restriction, and various specified components—while allowing manufacturers to develop and badge their own V8s. Teams pick a manufacturer (Ford, Chevrolet, or Toyota in the Cup Series) and receive engines from that manufacturer’s approved builders. These are not production-car engines; they’re bespoke, pushrod 358-cubic-inch (5.86-liter) V8s engineered for oval and road-course racing.

Who supplies engines in the NASCAR Cup Series

The following list outlines which manufacturers are involved in the Cup Series and who typically builds their engines. This helps explain why you might see a Ford, Chevy, or Toyota under the hood depending on the team’s affiliation.

• Ford: Engines are supplied by Roush Yates Engines, often referred to as the Ford FR9 V8 program.
• Chevrolet: Engines are primarily supplied by Hendrick Motorsports’ engine group and ECR Engines (Earnhardt-Childress Racing), both building the Chevrolet R07 V8 and collaborating closely on development.
• Toyota: Engines are developed and supplied by Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A.).

In practice, a Team Penske or RFK Racing entry will run a Ford engine, a Hendrick Motorsports or Trackhouse entry will run a Chevrolet engine, and a Joe Gibbs Racing or 23XI Racing entry will run a Toyota engine—each built to NASCAR’s common rulebook but developed within their manufacturer’s program.

Power levels and key specs (context)

Since the debut of the Next Gen car, NASCAR Cup engines are typically capped around 670 horsepower at most tracks (with reduced horsepower packages—about 510 hp—used at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega). Despite the manufacturer branding, the engines share broad specifications: 358 cu in displacement, two-valve pushrod architecture, and tightly controlled components and electronics to keep parity across brands.

What about other NASCAR national series?

Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series engines

Below is a quick look at how engine sourcing works outside the Cup Series. This clarifies why some series look more “spec” than others.

• Xfinity Series: Teams may use manufacturer-aligned engines (Ford/Chevy/Toyota) or a cost-controlled spec option approved by NASCAR. Both approaches adhere to series rules to maintain parity, with many smaller teams favoring the spec engine for budget reasons.
• Craftsman Truck Series: The field predominantly uses the Ilmor NT1, a NASCAR-approved spec V8 engine, regardless of the truck’s Ford, Chevrolet, or Toyota branding. This standardization reduces costs and emphasizes driver/team performance.

While badges remain visible for branding and marketing, the degree of manufacturer-specific development varies by series, with the Cup Series featuring the most distinct Ford/Chevy/Toyota engine programs.

Why the car badge and the engine badge match

Teams sign technical and marketing alliances with a manufacturer. That means a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Cup car runs a Chevy-branded engine, a Ford Mustang Dark Horse Cup car runs a Ford engine, and a Toyota Camry XSE runs a Toyota engine. The body style and the engine program are paired as part of the same factory-backed effort.

Bottom line

NASCAR doesn’t mandate a single engine brand in its top series. In the Cup Series, you’ll find Ford-, Chevrolet-, and Toyota-branded engines built by their respective engine partners to NASCAR’s common rulebook. Other series, particularly Trucks, lean more on spec engines to control costs.

Summary

The main takeaways below recap how engine branding works in NASCAR today.

• Yes, NASCAR engines can be Ford or Chevy—and also Toyota—in the Cup Series.
• Engines are purpose-built race V8s (358 cu in) by approved partners: Roush Yates (Ford), Hendrick/ECR (Chevy), and TRD (Toyota).
• Rules are tightly controlled for parity; horsepower is typically around 670 hp at most tracks.
• Other series use a mix of manufacturer engines and spec options; Trucks primarily use the Ilmor NT1 spec engine.

In short, engine branding depends on the team’s manufacturer affiliation, with development occurring within NASCAR’s parity-focused rule structure.

Does NASCAR use Ford engines?

A typical NASCAR Cup Series engine. Builders: Chevrolet: ECR Engines, Hendrick Motorsports. Ford: Roush-Yates Engines.

What engine did NASCAR ban for Ford?

Yes, Ford’s 427 SOHC engine, known as the “Cammer,” was essentially banned from NASCAR competition in the late 1960s due to its advanced overhead cam design being deemed too powerful and departing from the “production-based” engine rules, which were influenced by political pressure from rival GM and Chrysler teams. While not a complete ban of all Ford engines, this specific, high-performance engine was forced out of NASCAR and found more success in drag racing.
 
This video explains why the Ford 427 Cammer was banned from NASCAR: 59sEngine LegendsYouTube · Apr 20, 2025
The Engine in Question: 

• Ford 427 SOHC Cammer: This was a powerful 427 cubic-inch V8 engine featuring a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) design, a significant innovation for its time.

Why it Was Banned:

• Political Pressure: Rival manufacturers, particularly General Motors (GM) and Chrysler, lobbied NASCAR to ban the engine, as they couldn’t match its performance. 
• Rules Interpretation: NASCAR officials considered the SOHC design too advanced and not representative of a “production-based” engine, a core rule of the time. 
• Fairness and Competition: The engine’s superior performance gave Ford an unfair advantage, and its removal was intended to maintain a more balanced competitive field. 

The Aftermath:

• Success in Drag Racing: Though it couldn’t compete in NASCAR, the 427 SOHC engine proved highly successful in the world of drag racing, where raw power is paramount. 
• Legacy: The engine remains a legendary part of automotive history, known for its advanced design and the circumstances surrounding its short-lived NASCAR career. 

Are NASCAR engines Chevy?

Next Gen Car Under the Hood
All Cup cars use V-8 engines from each manufacturer — Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota. The engines can be no larger than 358 cubic inches (5.9 liters), and they still use old-fashioned push rods rather than overhead cams.

Do all nascars run the same engine?

No, not all NASCAR engines are the same; although they must conform to NASCAR’s specifications for displacement (358 cubic inches), V8 configuration, and pushrod design, the specific designs for engine blocks, cylinder heads, and intake manifolds can differ among manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota. These differences allow manufacturers to develop unique engines for competition while still adhering to the sport’s technical regulations.
 
What is standardized:

• Displacement: All NASCAR engines are limited to 358 cubic inches (approximately 5.8 liters). 
• Configuration: They must be naturally aspirated V8 engines. 
• Valvetrain: A pushrod (overhead valve) design is mandated, rather than modern overhead cam designs. 
• Compression Ratio: A 12:1 compression ratio is required. 

What differs between manufacturers:

• Engine Architecture: Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota each submit their own designs for approval, leading to differences in their specific engine components. 
• Components: The intake manifolds, cylinder heads, and engine blocks can all be different for each manufacturer. 
• Engine Development: Within each manufacturer, engine development can continue, with different racing alliances (like Hendrick and Childress for Chevrolet) building engines based on their own specific designs. 

Why differences are allowed:

• Not a Spec Series: NASCAR is not a spec series, meaning that engine specifications are not completely identical for all competitors. 
• Manufacturer Competition: Allowing variations encourages different manufacturers to compete and innovate, contributing to the sport’s excitement. 
• NASCAR Oversight: NASCAR tightly regulates these differences, ensuring that no single manufacturer gains an unfair advantage through engine design.