Dodge out of NASCAR end of 2012 Season

[DMAG]

Ralph Gilles announces that Dodge will remove itself from NASCAR at the end of the current 2012 season.

There’s been a focused emphasis on quality and doing things right in recent years with Chrysler Group operations. That focus definitely includes our motorsports operations, according to SRT Motorsports President/CEO Ralph Gilles.

“We couldn’t go forward with a structure that met our standards,” Ralph said today in talking about the decision for Dodge to withdraw from the NASCAR track after this season.

In the video below, Ralph talks about how the “one-stop shop” relationship we had with Penske Racing was a bit unique. Since the Penske announcement in March to move to Ford next year, Ralph said we’ve not been able to assemble a complete structure to meet the company’s high standards so we could “go out and race with confidence.”

Ralph also talks about the unlimited passion our NASCAR fans, including employees, have for Dodge and how that is so much valued and appreciated

Official Video statement in next post

[DMAG]

[Ron Ketcham]

Not good for the series, not good for the fans.
Grumpy

[S. Artee]

I think the company will lose less money to sales as apposed to costs associated with NASCAR. Gotta stay lean these days.

[ZeGuru]

The series will do fine and something tells me that Dodge never had a ton of support from the fans. Besides Penske, who was running Dodge's?

Sad to see them leave. I was hoping they'd shift the NASCAR budget to fund other racing adventures, but it sounds like that's not going to happen.

[bipto]

Damn - heard this rumor a couple days ago and figured it would probably come to pass... I can appreciate that it was probably the better business move, just kinda sux that Dodge was not able to make this work...

[tick2791]

NASCAR has long been separated from brand recognition. Win on Sunday sell on Monday does not apply anymore. Dodge sales will not be affected by this decision. Most fans follow a driver and could care less what they drive.

[bklynmag]

Atleast Toyota is still in Nascar

[tick2791]

Jeff Gordan will be in a Hyundai next year.

[TwinCommander]

probably for the best.

however, i cant stand nascar... so i wont be able to produce a decent, cleanly worded opinion.

[tick2791]

probably for the best.

however, i cant stand nascar... so i wont be able to produce a decent, cleanly worded opinion.

How many NASCAR fans do you know that can put together a " decent, cleanly worded opinion"?

[charginscott]

Just as long as they stay in NHRA

[SeadooSandi]

Oh great......now I'll have to listen to my Die hard Chevy husband snickering during NASCAR races.

[So*Cal Mag]

eh, it's NASCAR. Like anybody watches it anyways so no big loss there

[ZeGuru]

2+ million viewers per race. That's still a lot of eyeballs.