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Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Old Oct 24, 2006 | 06:52 AM
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Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Well, we all expected the Monte Carlo to be dropped or at least put on "hiatus", but why would Dodge drop the Charger in favor of the Avenger? Also, notice at the bottom they claim the move to pony cars for the Busch series is continuing.

Originally Posted by jayski.com
Dodge and Chevy to change models in 2007: Beginning in 2007, Dodge and Chevrolet will campaign new models in Nextel Cup competition, Yahoo! Sports has learned. Dodge will run the Avenger, while Chevrolet will run the Impala SS, according to sources with some of NASCAR's manufacturers. The change also was indicated in a technical bulletin distributed to all teams last week. Both Dodge and Chevy soon will announce that they have been given approval by NASCAR to change to the new models, with Chevy's announcement possibly coming as soon as this week. According to the sources, the stock car version has been approved for use by Dodge teams for both the current Nextel Cup car as well as the Car of Tomorrow version, starting next season. The switch from Monte Carlo to Impala could signal the end of the Monte Carlo name from the Chevrolet lineup, as its rear-drive design is used on its model alone and at the present time, no replacement is on the drawing boards at GM. However, unlike its Dodge counterpart, the Impala SS will only be used by Chevrolet teams for their Car of Tomorrow, according to sources. Manufacturers and NASCAR also are continuing to move forward with plans to change all of the models used in the Busch Series, perhaps as soon as the 2010 season. That change would put smaller, sportier models into competition, like the retro-designed Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger – as well as the Toyota Solara.(Yahoo Sports)(10-24-2006)
On a side note, they need a better fact checker as they claim the MC to currently be RWD. See original here: http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 08:08 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by Privateer454
On a side note, they need a better fact checker as they claim the MC to currently be RWD.
i was just about to point that out till i read your side notd at the end...

so why am i posting? cause i'm bored

nah...

as for using Camaro, Challenger and Mustang in the Busch series.. they should use the actual cars and not just the names... NASCAR has gotten too far away from it's roots National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing... Stock car? not even close anymore

Last edited by FS3800; Oct 24, 2006 at 08:57 AM.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 08:32 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

The rear drive V8 Charger doesn't fit in with NASCARs FWD family sedan image

Why drop the Monte now? They just released a new one in 2006. They still sell a 2007 Model, but I guess with only 5000 SS cars a year it isn't worth advertising. This move pretty much insures the death of the Monte nameplate.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:05 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by Z28x
The rear drive V8 Charger doesn't fit in with NASCARs FWD family sedan image

Why drop the Monte now? They just released a new one in 2006. They still sell a 2007 Model, but I guess with only 5000 SS cars a year it isn't worth advertising. This move pretty much insures the death of the Monte nameplate.
i wouldnt call the 06 monte a new model by any stretch of the imagination.. it's still a W car, with what appears to be the same sheetmetal from the cowl back...
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:08 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

I agree that this pretty much signals the end of the Monte Carlo nameplate for now. At least the Impala has a history in NASCAR, too. Just not a 4 door front drive Impala.

I'm guessing that Dodge is switching to Avenger since it will be a much higher volume car than Charger. And it's not like they'll have to change the styling much.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:14 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by FS3800
i was just about to point that out till i read your side notd at the end...

so why am i posting? cause i'm bored

nah...

as for using Camaro, Challenger and Mustang in the Busch series.. they should use the actual cars and not just the names... NASCAR has gotten too far away from it's roots National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing... Stock car? not even close anymore
Dont tell me you need the "stock" car thing explained?
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:33 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

<Robert Duvall> "There ain't nothing 'stock' about a 'stock car' "

Old Oct 24, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger – as well as the Toyota Solara
Hmmm... Which of these doesn't belong?
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 11:16 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

First, Camaro should never be part of any Bush race league.
2nd, Solara is dead
3rd, Why not go Malibu for NASCAR? If the Malibu is going head to head with the Camry for NG, why not put that into the NASCAR hunt?
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 11:35 AM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Change "models"? Wow.

Why not call a spade a spade, and just say they are changing the paint scheme on the sheetmetal to reflect a new model.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 12:10 PM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by muckz
Change "models"? Wow.

Why not call a spade a spade, and just say they are changing the paint scheme on the sheetmetal to reflect a new model.
The point is, this pretty much confirms the death of the MC (at least temporarily).
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 12:47 PM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Wow, the move from Monte Carlo to Impala suprises me.
Maybe this does comfirm death of Monte Carlo.

The Dodge switch to the Avenger is confusing too.

But, like muckz said... not much will really change.
Since the Impala and Monte Carlo fronts are about the same, the nameplate is about all that will change on the Chevy NASCAR car.
And since the Avenger kinda looks like a mini-Charger, just the front end decals, grille location, and nameplate will change on the Dodge NASCAR car.

I'd like to see the 20 car put a Camry in the wall on Lap 1 of the 2007 Daytona 500.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 01:04 PM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by OctaneZ28
Wow, the move from Monte Carlo to Impala suprises me.
Maybe this does comfirm death of Monte Carlo.

The Dodge switch to the Avenger is confusing too.

But, like muckz said... not much will really change.
Since the Impala and Monte Carlo fronts are about the same, the nameplate is about all that will change on the Chevy NASCAR car.
And since the Avenger kinda looks like a mini-Charger, just the front end decals, grille location, and nameplate will change on the Dodge NASCAR car.

I'd like to see the 20 car put a Camry in the wall on Lap 1 of the 2007 Daytona 500.
MC's death shouldn't be a surprise. GM makes Impala, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, and the relatively new Lacrosse at Oshawa, and it's been known for awhile that GM planned on closing half of that. I can see shock with Grand Prix on the chopping block (120K+ sales annually) but MC at about 30K is the weakest link.

I'm also confused at Dodge switching from Charger to Avenger. Although, it's dubious as to what will actually change since the exterior of a NASCAR racer has about as much to do with a real stock car as it does the price of tea in China, it still is curious.
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 01:11 PM
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on a completely unrelated note

guion, been reading your signature... I always liked T-Birds (newer style, i guess it went from late 80's to early/mid 90s), but curious, what engines did they come with, and what was the quarter-mile for the turbo 5-speed that you have?
Old Oct 24, 2006 | 01:34 PM
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Re: Chevy AND Dodge NASCAR teams to change models!

Originally Posted by guionM
I'm also confused at Dodge switching from Charger to Avenger.
Originally Posted by OctaneZ28
The Dodge switch to the Avenger is confusing too.
I'd guess it's simply a matter of promoting a new vehicle...

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