Chinese Automaker's Rumored Nascar Bid Is Riddled with Red Flags

Rumors that Great Wall Motor could enter NASCAR gained traction after the Chinese automaker unveiled a racing prototype in April and advertised for a “NASCAR expert.” The position’s duties span both NASCAR and IndyCar, including chassis and engine development, aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, strategy, and rule compliance. That breadth suggests GWM may be exploring American motorsports rather than preparing a concrete Cup Series entry; as a major global company, it can afford to investigate without committing to a race program.

Several details make the prospect seem unlikely. The prototype looks more like an IMSA-style GT car than a NASCAR Next Gen machine, and its proposed hybrid V6-to-V8 powertrain does not match NASCAR’s current engine rules. GWM’s displayed 4.0-liter V8 differs from the series’ required 358-cubic-inch engine, while the job listing’s reference to a “Coyote 5.86L” raises further questions because Ford Coyote engines use dual overhead cams, unlike NASCAR’s required pushrod design. The argument also rests on institutional and political obstacles: NASCAR may hesitate to approve a Chinese manufacturer amid likely fan backlash and a hostile U.S. climate toward Chinese cars. The hiring notice is intriguing, but it does not establish that GWM will join the Cup Series.