What brand engines are used in NASCAR?

Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota supply engines for NASCAR’s top divisions, with Chevrolet engines built through a unified ECR Engines–Hendrick Motorsports program, Ford engines produced by Roush Yates Engines, and Toyota engines supplied by Toyota Racing Development (TRD, USA). In the Craftsman Truck Series, most teams run a single-spec Ilmor NT1 V8 used by all manufacturers’ trucks.

Engines by NASCAR national series

The landscape of NASCAR engine suppliers varies slightly by series. Below is a concise overview of who supplies what across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series, reflecting current practices heading into the 2025 season.

• Cup Series: Chevrolet R07 V8 (ECR Engines–Hendrick Motorsports collaboration); Ford FR9 V8 (Roush Yates Engines); Toyota TRD V8 (Toyota Racing Development, USA).
• Xfinity Series: Manufacturer-specific V8 engines from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, largely sourced from the same engine shops that serve their Cup counterparts (ECR–Hendrick for Chevy, Roush Yates for Ford, TRD USA for Toyota), tuned to Xfinity rules.
• Craftsman Truck Series: Ilmor NT1 6.0L spec V8 used across Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota-branded trucks; it’s a sealed, common engine package managed by Ilmor Engineering.

Together, these arrangements ensure brand identity in Cup and Xfinity while providing cost control and parity in Trucks through the Ilmor spec engine.

Who supplies engines in the NASCAR Cup Series?

The Cup Series showcases three OEMs—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—each backed by a dedicated engine program operating under NASCAR’s strict technical regulations. These programs are among the most sophisticated in North American motorsport, balancing innovation with parity.

Chevrolet: ECR Engines and Hendrick Motorsports

Chevrolet teams run the Chevrolet R07 pushrod V8. The powerplants are produced through a unified Chevy engine program jointly operated by ECR Engines (Richard Childress Racing) and Hendrick Motorsports. This collaboration standardizes development and supply to Chevrolet teams across the grid.

Ford: Roush Yates Engines

Ford’s FR9 V8 is built and prepared by Roush Yates Engines in Mooresville, North Carolina. Roush Yates is Ford Performance’s long-time NASCAR engine partner, supplying all Ford teams and managing continuous development within the rules.

Toyota: Toyota Racing Development (TRD, USA)

Toyota’s NASCAR V8 is developed and supplied by Toyota Racing Development (TRD, USA), with engineering resources in Costa Mesa, California, and operational support in North Carolina. TRD provides engines and trackside support to Toyota teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing and its affiliates.

Key technical context and rules

NASCAR’s engine rules are designed to keep costs in check while maintaining the distinct identities of the manufacturers. The following points summarize the current Cup framework and its objectives.

• Architecture: 358 cu in (5.86 L) naturally aspirated, pushrod V8s with two valves per cylinder; electronic fuel injection (EFI) has been mandated since 2012.
• Power targets: Roughly 670 hp at most tracks; approximately 510 hp at superspeedways (e.g., Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta when run with superspeedway rules) via intake restrictions.
• Electronics and fuel: Single-source ECU (McLaren Applied) and Sunoco Green E15 fuel (15% ethanol blend).
• Parity controls: NASCAR-approved components, compression, cam profiles, and airflow limits tightly regulate output while allowing brand-specific engine designs.

These measures let Chevy, Ford, and Toyota differentiate their programs without compromising close competition and reliability across race distances.

Recent developments and outlook

NASCAR and its manufacturers are actively evaluating future technology while retaining the V8 formula in points-paying races. Here’s what’s current and what’s being explored.

• Stability in Cup: Chevrolet/ECR–Hendrick, Roush Yates (Ford), and TRD (Toyota) continue as the core suppliers for 2025.
• Truck Series spec: The Ilmor NT1 remains the standard engine package across all Truck teams, a move that has reduced costs and improved parity since its adoption.
• Electrification research: NASCAR has demonstrated prototype electric concepts and held discussions with OEMs about hybridization pathways, but no hybrid engines are scheduled for points races as of 2025.
• Ongoing refinement: Power targets, gearing, and aero packages continue to be adjusted by NASCAR to improve racing quality and safety, with engine builders iterating within those boundaries.

While the sport explores future propulsion options, the immediate competitive landscape remains centered on the traditional, tightly regulated V8 platform supplied by each OEM’s dedicated engine partner.

Common questions

Are Dodge or other brands currently in NASCAR?

No. Dodge exited after 2012. The current manufacturers across NASCAR’s national series are Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

Do teams build their own engines?

Most teams source engines from their manufacturer’s designated engine builders—ECR–Hendrick (Chevrolet), Roush Yates (Ford), and TRD (Toyota). Independent in-house Cup engine programs are now rare due to cost and complexity.

Are the engines identical across brands?

No. Each OEM designs its own NASCAR-legal engine within strict rules. The architectures are similar (pushrod V8s, same displacement), but internal designs, development strategies, and support programs differ by manufacturer.

Summary

NASCAR’s engine suppliers are brand-specific in the Cup and Xfinity series—Chevrolet (ECR–Hendrick), Ford (Roush Yates), and Toyota (TRD, USA)—while the Craftsman Truck Series predominantly uses the Ilmor NT1 spec V8 across all makes. This model balances manufacturer identity with cost control and on-track parity, and it remains the status quo going into 2025.

What engine is Toyota using in NASCAR?

Toyota NASCAR engines are purpose-built TRD (Toyota Racing Development) 5.9-liter, 358-cubic-inch pushrod V8s, designed for their Xfinity Series and Cup Series stock cars. These naturally aspirated V8s, built by Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series and TRD in the Cup Series, produce around 650-700 horsepower in their standard configurations.
 
Engine Type and Performance 

• Engine Type: TRD V8 (pushrod, overhead valve engine)
• Displacement: 5.9 liters (358 cubic inches)
• Horsepower: Approximately 650-700 hp, depending on the series and restriction package.
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Fuel Delivery: Carburetor

Development and Manufacturing

• TRD: Toyota Racing Development (TRD) designs and builds the engines for Toyota’s NASCAR Cup Series cars. 
• Joe Gibbs Racing: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) builds the engines for Toyota’s Xfinity Series cars. 
• Secrecy: TRD maintains high secrecy surrounding its engine designs and development, which helps give their cars a competitive edge. 

Comparison to Production Engines

• Purpose-Built: Unlike older engines based on production models, NASCAR engines are entirely purpose-built racing engines, not modified street car engines. 
• Performance: They are designed to maximize power without mufflers or catalytic converters, allowing for higher output compared to street-legal engines. 

Who makes the engines for NASCAR?

NASCAR engines are built by specialized engine shops, often in collaboration with the major car manufacturers (Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota). For example, Roush Yates Engines builds engines for Ford teams, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) builds for Toyota, and Hendrick Motorsports and ECR Engines (a division of Richard Childress Racing) work together on Chevrolet engines. These engine builders create engines to NASCAR’s strict specifications, with each manufacturer having its own approved, high-performance V8 engine.
 
Who builds engines for each manufacturer?

• Ford: Opens in new tabFord teams utilize engines built by Roush Yates Engines, a company that exclusively serves Ford in NASCAR. 
• Toyota: Opens in new tabEngines for Toyota-backed teams are manufactured and tuned by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). 
• Chevrolet: Opens in new tabHendrick Motorsports and ECR Engines (Richard Childress Racing) have formed a joint venture to develop and build Chevrolet’s NASCAR engines. 

What makes NASCAR engines unique?

• Manufacturer-Specific: While engines are standardized FOR each manufacturer by NASCAR, they still give each brand of car a unique character. 
• High-Performance: These are purpose-built V8 racing engines designed for high horsepower and reliability, with features like electronic fuel injection and a 8,500 RPM redline. 
• Regulated by NASCAR: All engines must meet strict specifications set by NASCAR, ensuring a consistent performance level across the series. 

Do all nascars use the same engine?

No, not all NASCAR engines are the same; however, they must all conform to strict specifications set by NASCAR, including being a naturally aspirated, 358 cubic-inch V8 engine with a pushrod valvetrain and fuel injection. The three manufacturers—Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota—develop their own unique engines within these rules, rather than using a single, identical engine for all teams and manufacturers.
 
Key aspects of NASCAR engines

• V8, 358 cu. in. displacement: All engines must be V8s with a maximum displacement of 358 cubic inches (about 5.9 liters). 
• Pushrod valvetrain: Unlike most modern street car engines, NASCAR engines use a traditional pushrod-actuated valvetrain. 
• Naturally aspirated: The engines are naturally aspirated, meaning they do not use turbochargers or superchargers. 
• Fuel Injection: All engines are required to use electronic fuel injection systems. 
• Manufacturer-specific designs: While adhering to NASCAR’s rules, Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota create their own distinct engine designs. 

Why they aren’t identical

• Manufacturer differentiation: Each manufacturer submits its own engine design for approval by NASCAR. 
• Competition: This allows each brand to develop unique engineering solutions and create a competitive advantage while still adhering to the standardized rules. 

What engine does Ford use in NASCAR?

Ford uses the purpose-built, naturally aspirated, 358 cubic-inch V8 FR9 engine in NASCAR’s top series. This engine, developed by Roush Yates Engines, was an evolution of previous Ford racing engines, incorporating modern engineering to achieve high-revving power and reliability for stock car racing.
 
Key Characteristics 

• Engine Type: 358 cubic-inch (5.86-liter) V8
• Valvetrain: Pushrod, two valves per cylinder
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
• Performance: Produces approximately 750-800 horsepower
• Development: Built by Roush Yates Engines, which is the exclusive Ford engine builder for NASCAR.

Evolution of the FR9

• FR9 Carbureted Engine: The initial FR9 platform, which entered NASCAR in 2009, was carbureted. 
• FR9 EFI V8: The FR9 EFI V8, introduced around 2012, adapted the design for electronic fuel injection, aligning with updated NASCAR regulations. 

Design and Purpose

• The FR9 was a ground-up design, a departure from earlier engines based on decades-old Ford blocks. 
• It was designed with a focus on reliability, serviceability, and cooling, with quick rebuilds between races being a key consideration. 
• It is a specialized racing engine, not directly related to the engines in Ford’s street vehicles.