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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Dodge Still Here For Now
Dodge’s parent company, Chrysler LLC, filed for bankruptcy late Thursday...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted May 01, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Photo: John Harrelson/Getty Images)

Although Dodge’s parent company, Chrysler LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Thursday, the automaker issued a statement on Friday, indicating it remains committed to its NASCAR program.

“NASCAR is a strategic part of our marketing plan and the Dodge brand,” said Mike Accavitti, director of brand marketing and strategy for Chrysler LLC. “We plan to continue our Dodge sponsorship and relationship into the foreseeable future.”

As part of its bankruptcy filing, Chrysler is temporarily closing all of its manufacturing facilities, which will remain shuttered for the length of its bankruptcy.

It is expected that Chrysler will file its reorganization plan and could emerge from bankruptcy in as few as 30 days, likely with Italian automaker Fiat as majority owner. Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli will step down after the bankruptcy is complete, as will Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda.

Long-term how all of this affects Dodge’s involvement with NASCAR remains in question, especially under Fiat ownership. Chrysler, Accavitti said, “has signed an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to create a vibrant new car company. The partnership not only will transform Chrysler into a new, stronger car company with many strategic advantages, it will enable the company to better serve our customers with a broader and more competitive line-up of vehicles.”

Currently, there are two full-time NASCAR teams that campaign a total of seven Dodge Chargers — four from Richard Petty Motorsports, and three more from Penske Championship Racing.

“Seeing Chrysler in the position that they’ve put themselves in and Fiat’s coming in,” said Penske’s Kurt Busch during a press conference late Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway. “All that I can do is read the news and listen to Roger Penske on what he has to say. But I feel confident what’s transpired will allow us to race.”

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

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