What brand engines do NASCARs use?

NASCAR’s top-level Cup Series runs V8 engines from three manufacturers—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—while the Craftsman Truck Series uses a single-make spec engine from Ilmor; the Xfinity Series permits both manufacturer-specific engines (Chevy, Ford, Toyota) and a cost-capped NASCAR-approved spec option. Below is how that breaks down today and why it matters.

NASCAR Cup Series: Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota

The NASCAR Cup Series, the sport’s premier division, uses naturally aspirated 5.86-liter (358 cu in) pushrod V8s supplied by its three participating automakers. Though teams often source power from specialized engine shops aligned with each automaker, branding and core architecture are manufacturer-specific.

Here are the current Cup Series engine families by brand:

• Chevrolet: R07 small-block V8 (built and supported in partnership with Hendrick-Childress Engines and other Chevy-aligned builders)
• Ford: FR9 V8 (designed for NASCAR; supplied by Roush Yates Engines to Ford teams)
• Toyota: TRD NASCAR V8 (TRD U.S.A. supplies Toyota teams with its 358 cu in pushrod engine)

All three engines share key specs mandated by NASCAR—pushrod valvetrain, cast-iron block, electronic fuel injection, and a rules-limited output around 670 horsepower at most tracks—while differing in brand-specific design details and development philosophies.

NASCAR Xfinity Series: OEM engines and a spec option

The Xfinity Series, NASCAR’s second tier, allows teams to choose between manufacturer-specific engines aligned with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, or a NASCAR-approved “spec” engine designed to reduce costs and simplify maintenance. Many smaller teams favor the spec route, while larger outfits may run OEM engines depending on track and strategy.

Teams in Xfinity typically pick from these paths:

• Manufacturer-specific engines: Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota engines built by their aligned race engine partners
• NASCAR-approved spec engine: a sealed, cost-controlled option supplied through NASCAR’s approved builders

This dual-path system helps keep fields deep and competitive by balancing cost control with manufacturer technical involvement.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Ilmor spec engines

The Truck Series uses a single-make, sealed spec engine to contain costs and increase parity. Ilmor Engineering supplies the series-standard “NT1” V8, commonly referenced as the Ilmor 396, which teams run regardless of truck badge.

Key characteristics of the Truck Series powerplant include:

• Brand: Ilmor Engineering
• Type: NT1 (396 cu in) spec V8, sealed to prevent internal modifications
• Use: Standardized across all teams for cost and parity

By standardizing the engine, NASCAR ensures closer competition and more sustainable budgets for Truck teams.

Who actually builds the engines—and why branding still matters

While the engine “brand” in the Cup and Xfinity Series is Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota, the day-to-day building and support are handled by elite engine partners. Chevy teams typically source through Hendrick-Childress Engines and other Chevy-affiliated shops; Ford teams rely on Roush Yates Engines; Toyota teams are supported by TRD U.S.A. These builders refine reliability and performance within NASCAR’s tight rulebook. The result is manufacturer-branded engines that are distinct in design but governed to the same performance envelope for competition balance.

What’s next: Evolution without drastic change

As of the 2025 season, NASCAR continues with the same core V8 formula in Cup (with the Next Gen chassis) and maintains the spec-engine approach in Trucks. Xfinity’s split between spec and OEM engines remains in place. NASCAR and its OEMs have explored future powertrain innovations, but no wholesale engine-spec change has been implemented in competition.

Summary

NASCAR Cup cars run brand-specific V8s from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota; the Xfinity Series mixes OEM engines with a NASCAR-approved spec option; and the Craftsman Truck Series uses Ilmor’s NT1 spec engine. The branding reflects each automaker’s competitive presence, while standardized rules—and, in Trucks, a single spec engine—keep the playing field closely matched.

Do Toyota nascars use Toyota engines?

Yes, Toyota NASCAR Cup Series cars use V-8 engines developed and built by their subsidiary, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) in California. However, these are specialized racing engines designed specifically for NASCAR, adhering to NASCAR’s rules for a pushrod V-8 engine of a specific size, and are not similar to the overhead-cam V-8 engines found in production Toyota vehicles. 
Key Points

• Toyota-Made: Opens in new tabTRD, Toyota’s racing arm, designs, manufactures, and assembles the V-8 engines for the Toyota stock cars used in NASCAR. 
• NASCAR-Specific Design: Opens in new tabThese engines are built to strict NASCAR regulations, which mandate a pushrod (or overhead-valve) design and a maximum displacement of 358 cubic inches. 
• Not Production Engines: Opens in new tabWhile the engines bear the Toyota brand, they are not based on or directly related to the engines in production Toyota cars. For instance, while Toyota produces V-8 engines, those in their road cars typically use overhead camshafts, unlike the NASCAR-required pushrod design. 

Do Chevy Nascars use Chevy engines?

The Chevrolet engine in Cup is called a R07. 2. That’s a 5.8L two-valve per cylinder V8. Its roots are in the small block Chevy era from 50-plus years ago.

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. 

What engine was banned from NASCAR?

NASCAR has banned several engines throughout its history, but two prominent examples are the Ford 427 SOHC Cammer due to its advanced single overhead camshaft design, and the Chrysler 426 Hemi because of its overwhelming dominance, which led to fears of uncompetitiveness. Additionally, the engine in the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was also banned, not due to rule-breaking, but because GM corporate policy prohibited its factory entry into the competition.
 
The Ford 427 SOHC Cammer

• What it was: A high-performance V8 engine with single overhead camshafts (SOHC) and electronic fuel injection, designed to compete with Chrysler’s Hemi. 
• Why it was banned: NASCAR banned overhead camshaft (OHC) engines, making the Cammer ineligible for stock car competition. 
• Aftermath: Ford shifted its focus to drag racing, where the engine became a legendary and dominant force. 

This video explains why the Ford 427 SOHC Cammer was banned from NASCAR: 38sRare Car StorysYouTube · Feb 12, 2025
The Chrysler 426 Hemi 

• What it was: An incredibly powerful and compact engine that quickly achieved a high level of success in NASCAR. 
• Why it was banned: The Hemi’s dominant performance was so overwhelming that it was banned to “level the playing field” and restore unpredictability to races. 
• Aftermath: The ban wasn’t permanent, and the Hemi was allowed back into NASCAR after rules were revised to ensure its availability in production cars. 

You can watch this video to learn about the history of Hemi engines in NASCAR: 55s4 Wheels ChroniclesYouTube · Sep 23, 2023
Other Notable Banned Engines 

• Smokey Yunick’s “Mystery Motor”: This advanced Chevrolet engine was banned by NASCAR before it ever raced, though not for breaking rules but due to the potential for it to completely rewrite the sport’s history.