Dodge and NASCAR

[Scooby67]

I'm sitting here this morning watching the Duel at Daytona that I had recorded last night and the more I watched it, the more aggravated I became. How is it possible that a major car manufacturer who previously had such a strong presence and following in NASCAR is not able to have representation in this series?? It's extemely disappointing.

 

[Sixpaksteve]

I totally agree with your comments here, Scooby. One of the main reasons I started going to races and following NASCAR was because DODGE returned in 1999 after being away from NASCAR for almost 25 years. I still go to a few races every year, but when they left again a few years ago, my total interest in NASCAR dropped quite a bit.

There's no doubt in my mind that they can put a car on the track that can compete against the other manufactures. But the Chrysler (and now Fiat) top Brass have to want to go racing - and apparantly they don't.

 

[Scooby67]

I totally agree with your comments here, Scooby. One of the main reasons I started going to races and following NASCAR was because DODGE returned in 1999 after being away from NASCAR for almost 25 years. I still go to a few races every year, but when they left again a few years ago, my total interest in NASCAR dropped quite a bit.

There's no doubt in my mind that they can put a car on the track that can compete against the other manufactures. But the Chrysler (and now Fiat) top Brass have to want to go racing - and apparantly they don't.

Yet they claim to be the leaders in American high performance cars. The new Challenger, Charger, Viper and their SRT line, etc. Much of their early muscle car success was derived from the technology developed from the track. For heaven's sake, even Toyota is represented in a sport that has its origin in the good old USA. Ugh!!

 

[patrick66]

There is nothing that is Ford, GM, or Toyota in NA$CAR; just nearly-identical IROC-type cookie-cutter race cars. With cute decals that make them try to look like "real" cars.

 

[Bruzilla]

I'm sitting here this morning watching the Duel at Daytona that I had recorded last night and the more I watched it, the more aggravated I became. How is it possible that a major car manufacturer who previously had such a strong presence and following in NASCAR is not able to have representation in this series?? It's extemely disappointing.

Because all the Chrysler executives who were behind the NASCAR effort, and experienced with it, are now retired or dead. Their replacements are all younger guys who weren't born when NASCAR had its heyday.

 

[john28ryr]

They really wanted to stay in NASCAR, but when Penske announced he was switching to Ford it was a real blow, since Penske was the only engine builder in the Cup series for the Dodge motor. that announcement came mid-season, leaving very little time to get an in-house engine program (a la Toyota's TRD) off the ground.

the one that still shocks me is the Viper program in the Tudor series - they won the championship and then closed up shop. It was good to see that what was once the factory team still went to Daytona and won their class.

Back to NASCAR - for now, I go back to rooting for the Blue Oval boys, since I have been a supported of anything with Yates' name on it since the Davey Allison / Texaco days

 

[bee71]

There is still a lot of talented engineers and employees who could bring Dodge back into NASCAR. The problem is Sergio is focused on being more global, therefore no money for racing.

 

[Coyoteduster]

There is still a lot of talented engineers and employees who could bring Dodge back into NASCAR. The problem is Sergio is focused on being more global, therefore no money for racing.

Bazinga!

 

[the mississippi madman]

They will be back. I know they are bringing the viper back to lemans so maybe they are working on nascar also

 

[mightymopar]

No shortage of Dodge in NHRA

 

[Scooby67]

No shortage of Dodge in NHRA

That's for damn sure!

 

[Blackheart]

Look at the guy heading up the racing group and maybe you can understand the reluctance to be in NASCAR.

Ralph Victor Gilles (born January 14th, 1970) is an American-Canadian automobile designer and currently the President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler.

Gilles, pronounced "Zheel," styled the 2005 Chrysler 300 — after joining Chrysler in 1992.[1] Gilles was also the boss of the design team who created the 2014 SRT Viper.

Background[edit]

Born in New York City to Haitian immigrants, Gilles was raised in Montreal, Quebec.[2]

Passionate about automobiles since the age of 6, drawing concept vehicles by the age of 8, Gilles's aunt, Giselle Mouscardy, noticed at age 14 he was talented at sketching cars — and wrote former Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, informing him of her nephew's talent.[3] A reply came from K. Neil Walling, Chrysler's design chief at the time, suggesting Gilles attend one of three design schools.[citation needed]

Gilles attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and in 2002 received an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.[4] Gilles lives in Oxford, Michigan

 

[Seax440Dodge]

They will be back. I know they are bringing the viper back to lemans so maybe they are working on nascar also

ahh... not so fast on that viper racing....

dropping back out of Nascar started a trend that Chrysler has followed lately.... win the championship, drop the factory backing:

Win NASCAR Championship, drop the series

Win team and driver title in USCC GT Le Mans (... the factory backed vipers you mention), drop the series

- - - Updated - - -

Look at the guy heading up the racing group and maybe you can understand the reluctance to be in NASCAR.

Ralph Victor Gilles (born January 14th, 1970) is an American-Canadian automobile designer and currently the President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler.

Gilles, pronounced "Zheel," styled the 2005 Chrysler 300 — after joining Chrysler in 1992.[1] Gilles was also the boss of the design team who created the 2014 SRT Viper.

Background[edit]

Born in New York City to Haitian immigrants, Gilles was raised in Montreal, Quebec.[2]

Passionate about automobiles since the age of 6, drawing concept vehicles by the age of 8, Gilles's aunt, Giselle Mouscardy, noticed at age 14 he was talented at sketching cars — and wrote former Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, informing him of her nephew's talent.[3] A reply came from K. Neil Walling, Chrysler's design chief at the time, suggesting Gilles attend one of three design schools.[citation needed]

Gilles attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and in 2002 received an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.[4] Gilles lives in Oxford, Michigan

and Gilles isn't head of the racing group anymore... Dale Aldo is the motorsports director now

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[B570RR440+6]

A few low level teams in the xfinity series have dodge challengers. It would be nice to see dodge come back to cup series.

 

[Budnicks]

It'd be nice to see Dodge/SRT in NASCAR

I'm not holding my breath thou, but it may happen in a few years...

 

[B570RR440+6]

It might. It just might.

 

[Photon440]

If I was a major automobile company and had the chance to put my money and name onto a cookie cutter car identical to all the competitors while watching the audience walk away, I'd walk away too.

 

[Moparsmitty]

It's weird sitting here watching the truck series race and every other commercial is for Dodge Ram trucks, yet there are no Dodges in the race. They must think there's enough potential customers watching to advertise during the race, but not enough to sponsor a team.

 

[patrick66]

Hell, RAM is even sponsoring a truck race this year!