Dodge is giving its NASCAR Nationwide entry more than a facelift when the series introduces its own version of the Car of Tomorrow in 2010.
The company is switching from the Charger to the Challenger for four races next season, coinciding with the implementation of the new Nationwide car that will be fully integrated into the series in 2011. Dodge unveiled the updated Challenger on Friday.
Into the future
 You first heard about the new Nationwide Series cars here. Now we've got your first look at the Cars of Tomorrow. |
Toyota and Chevrolet followed suit Saturday, showing off revamped models of the Camry and Impala. Ford presented its new Nationwide Mustang at Roush Fenway Racing this month. The cars are scheduled to for tire testing at the massive oval Monday.
The new cars are closer approximations of the street version, a move manufacturers hope will lead customers into show rooms across the country. The current Nationwide cars are largely uniform save for variations on the grille.
"We're very proud of the look of the car," said Dave Bailey, senior manager of Dodge Motorsports engineering. "It's great looking. We've maximized the brand identity of the vehicle. We feel this is the right opportunity to showcase the Dodge Challenger in this series as the Challenger came back to the market in 2009."
The cars will debut at Daytona in July. Dodge will provide two Nationwide cars for Penske Racing.
"The car looks great and will give the Nationwide Series its own identity," said Justin Allgaier, who will drive the new car along with future Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski.
NASCAR announced the plan to move to new cars last month following a meeting between owners, crew chiefs and NASCAR officials in July. NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said the four races next year will give teams good feedback heading into 2011.
NASCAR used a similar plan to roll out the "Car of Tomorrow" on the Sprint Cup circuit in 2007. The car was introduced during the 2007 season and became the official Cup car a year later.
Happy reunion
Carl Edwards already knows what he's going to do with the trophy if he can snap his season-long winless streak on Sunday at Talladega.
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Edwards plans to give the trophy to Blake Bobbitt, who suffered facial injuries following Edwards' spectacular last lap crash during the spring race at Talladega. Edwards was attempting to block Brad Keselowski when the two made contact starting off a chain of events that ended with Edwards No. 99 Ford hurtling into the catch fence along the front straightaway.
Several fans were injured as debris flew into the crowd. Bobbitt was airlifted to a hospital and had surgery on her jaw after debris from the crash came through the fence. She recovered in time to graduate from high school, but will face at least one more surgery in the future.
Bobbitt and Edwards have become text-messaging buddies over the last few months and are planning to meet face-to-face during the drivers' meeting before Sunday's Cup race. Edwards is hoping for another meeting a few hours later in Victory Lane.
"I know if I can win this race, this trophy is going to her for sure, that's the best thing to give her," Edwards said.
The track and NASCAR have both taken measures to better protect both fans and drivers. NASCAR cut the size of the restrictor plates used at the track to take some of the top-end speed out of the cars while Talladega raised the catch fence from 14 to 22 feet. The catch fence also will be raised at Daytona.
Getting spooked
Drivers have no trouble running side-by-side within inches of each other at 190 mph.
There are some things, however, that scares even the most daring of Cup stars: the infield at Talladega on Halloween.
The combination of the holiday and the notoriously rowdy crowd at one of the series' most popular tracks is a potent combination most drivers will likely avoid.
"Man, I don't know about that," said Mark Martin when asked if he was going to wander into the infield on Saturday night.
That doesn't mean the drivers won't play dress-up. Denny Hamlin donned a Tin Man outfit earlier in the week as part of a "Wizard of Oz" theme. Edwards and Subway pitchman Jared Fogle entertained reporters in the media center on Saturday morning.
Edwards dressed up in the 60-inch jeans Fogle used to wear before going on his now famous Subway diet. Fogle poked fun at Edwards' propensity to pose shirtless, donning a puffy outfit meant to resemble a pumped-up Edwards.
Some costumes offered a peak into the driver's dreams. Like a lot of kids, Joey Logano dressed up as Batman one Halloween. Most kids, however, didn't include the Batmobile as part of the costume, as Logano did.
"I had the car around me," Logano said. "It was pretty funny."
Racing returns to North Wilkesboro
Racing will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2010.
The 0.625-mile track - which hosted NASCAR events from the series inception in 1949 through 1996 - will welcome the USARacing Pro Cup Championship Series on Oct. 3, 2010.
The track closed following the 1996 season and its two Cup dates were moved to New Hampshire and Texas. A new ownership group, led by the widow of former NASCAR star Benny Parsons, worked to bring racing back to the North Carolina track.
"We are very excited to add the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway to the 2010 USARacing Pro Cup Series schedule," said Series Director Jimmy Wilson. "It adds another high profile venue to our already impressive list of quality and historic tracks."
