G. Noble
Editor/Reporter
CheersandGears.com
March 14, 2012
Here’s a big chunk of unexpected news for you; the boys over at Chevrolet announced yesterday that the Impala will be bowing out of the grid for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That’s certainly interesting given that the Impala has earned Chevrolet 79 wins since 2007 after the Monte Carlo went out of production. As Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, said in Chevrolet’s press release yesterday, “The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”
That’s only the tip of the iceberg, though. When Chevrolet returns to NASCAR next year it says it “will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand’s lineup.” And like the recently redesigned Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger stock cars, Chevy says the new racecar will “closely resemble the production version.”
Monte Doran, a Chevrolet spokesperson, also mentioned that the new vehicle would specifically debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 and would be in production sometime during next year.
Evaluating the news at face value, it means Chevrolet won’t be racing the new Malibu and it certainly isn’t considering entering the Cruze. That means that either the Cadillac XTS-based next-gen Impala, which is set to debut next year, may be renamed or — fingers and toes crossed — the current rear-drive, police duty-only Caprice PPV will be repurposed for civilian buyers.
Sources: Chevrolet, Motor Trend, The Detroit News
Hit page 2 for Chevrolet's press release.
DETROIT – The countdown to the debut of Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecar is underway. Chevrolet announced today that for the 2013 season, Team Chevy will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand’s lineup.
Taking advantage of the new NASCAR rules, which allow manufacturers to display more of their brand identity in their racecars, the new Chevrolet racecar will closely resemble the production version. Both cars will be unveiled in the coming year.
“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable.”
The current Chevrolet racecar, the Impala, took three out of top five spots at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday including the win by Tony Stewart. Since 2007, the Impala has dominated the series, taking the checkered flag 79 times. Chevrolet drivers have also won five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers' Championships, and Jimmie Johnson (4) and Tony Stewart (1) have collected five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver's championships in the Impala.
“The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are confident the new racecar will allow us to remain the most successful name in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history,” Campbell said.
A legacy of racing competition runs deep in Chevrolet’s 100-year history, dating to co-founder Louis Chevrolet’s passion for racing automobiles. Chevrolet has won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship 35 times. Chevrolet Corvette Racing has taken seven class trophies at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A Chevrolet-branded V-8 racing engine won the Indianapolis 500 seven times between 1988 and 2002.
As Chevrolet continues to define itself as a 21st Century global automotive leader, motorsports remain integral to the plan. The racing version of the Chevrolet Cruze, which since its 2009 debut has become the bowtie brand’s best-selling car globally, claimed the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Cup in 2010 and 2011, and is the first ever General Motors-branded vehicle to win such honors in a FIA-organized series.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com
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