MANUFACTURER QUITTING NASCAR?(Competition)

Several internet sites are reporting one of Detroit's Big Three-the manufacturer wasn't identified-is seriously considering getting out of NASCAR racing.

DaimlerChrysler racing boss John Fernandez says it's not DCX and its Dodge program. "I've heard the rumor, but obviously we're not involved,'' he said during the NASCAR weekend at Phoenix. "I haven't heard anything from GM or Ford that indicates they're in jeopardy. Obviously their total companies are having a tough time in the marketplace, but that's happened before and it will happen again. As far as I know, GM and Ford are still committed to NASCAR and committed to racing in Cup. As far as I know right now, it's only a rumor.

"I don't think there's anything set as far as how long we're committed [to supporting our NASCAR program]...'' he continued. "We've won three of the first eight races, so I'm comfortable with where we're at. We've got a long way to go before we want to quit.''

Ford Racing spokesman Kevin Kennedy says it's not his company, either. "We've seen that story and I can assure you Ford does not plan on getting out of NASCAR,'' he said. "Our racing program has support at the highest levels of the company, and our research and data have shown conclusively there's a viable business case for us being involved in the sport in terms of our market share and purchase consideration among race fans.''

So what about General Motors? "We're here in NASCAR and we're here to stay,'' said Pat Suhy, director of GM's NASCAR program. "It makes good business sense for us to be here. We get a great return on our investment. We have a lot of activation around [NASCAR racing] around the country with our dealers and our regional dealer groups. And we have great sponsorship partners with our teams. So if there is any truth to that, I don't know about it. It certainly isn't us.''

The rumor was news to Alba Colon, manager of Chevy's Nextel Cup program. "I've never been in a meeting where anything like that has been discussed, at least not with me or anyone in my office,'' she said at Phoenix. "We have a commitment with all our teams, a long-term commitment. I can't comment on our contract with our teams, but it's longer than a year. It's more than the end of this year, and it's not GM's philosophy to break contracts like that.''

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