BrySmalls Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_li...nascar_car_newsIn a move sure to spark outrage, the White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government. Companies around the globe?Honda and Audi, to name two?have drawn down racing operations, and NASCAR itself has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending. A complete withdrawal from America?s premier racing series is expected to save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a substantial amount considering the drastic measures being implemented elsewhere.?Automakers used to operate on the principle of ?win on Sunday, sell on Monday,? but the Auto Task Force?s research just doesn?t validate that as true,? said the statement from President Obama. While fans have decried the Car of Tomorrow for heavily limiting what little personalization the cookie-cutter series had previously allowed to participating manufacturers, and drivers have slammed its brick-like aerodynamics and unpredictable handling, even the governmental oversight committee sees that the full-scale regulation of the cars leaves the manufacturers very little space for research and development. ?NASCAR is a racing series that regulates down to the smallest detail of the cars, where a car badged a Chevrolet or Dodge differs only marginally from a Ford or a Toyota. There?s no technological development to speak of.?The statement goes on further to say the same demand will be made of Ford if it asks for government assistance. ?In order to receive this money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation?s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.?The President realizes this will be an unpopular call, but stands behind the decision, saying, ?This is an obvious cut to make, but it is not an easy one. This administration is not ignoring the tremendous sentimental value and emotional appeal NASCAR holds for so many Americans. But now is not the time for sentiment and nostalgia; now is a time for decisive financial action. If our automotive industry is to emerge from this recession intact, then these difficult decisions must be made.?Both Chevrolet and Dodge see the move as only temporary, and fully expect to resume racing in NASCAR as soon as they have stabilized and the government?s hand in their operations is minimized. ?There is nothing really to say at this point,? said one representative, who wished to remain anonymous. ?We?ve been doing this since the beginning, and we always assumed we?d be doing this until the end. Heck, nobody ever thought to think that there would be an end. But we ain?t done. As soon as this is over, we?re taking back our spot at the top.?NASCAR officials remain tight-lipped about the call, but sources say series president Mike Helton and team managers are exploring several options, including other manufacturers to fill Chevrolet and Dodge?s vacated positions. Given the company?s recent interest in motorsport and the steady cash-flow and V-8 engine provided by its new Genesis sedan, sources indicate that NASCAR is pinging Hyundai to gauge the Korean company?s interest in occupying a spot in NASCAR. ?Toyota was not well-received their first year in the sport, nor was their first season an easy one,? the source says. ?But they learned, they applied the lessons, and they have proven very competitive this year.?If Hyundai does indeed join the series, there will no doubt be a steep learning curve, and the move would leave Ford the lone domestic battling a pair of Asian makes in America?s most popular racing series. We wonder, however, how long NASCAR could hold that title without two of its most storied participants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzcut Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I sense that this is an April Fools joke as nothing has come up in the "REAL" news sites yet. The CCSLC's resident Geelong Cats fan. Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends. Sounds like something from a Rocky & Bullwinkle story arc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gothamite Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Yeah, doesn't anybody look at calendars anymore?Don't trust anything today. I've been looking at traffic lights suspiciously all morning. The Green Bay Packers Uniform Database! Now in a handy blog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epper Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 it's a joke dude. look at the updated headline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyboy1 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Don't be :censored:ing with NASCAR fans. They will not find the humor in this. Click here to read Third String Goalie - The Hockey Jersey of the Day Blog Click here to see my hockey and baseball jersey collection online ?You don?t like to see 20 kids punching 20 other kids. But it?s not a disgrace, It?s hockey.? - Michael Farber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrySmalls Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 I sense that this is an April Fools joke as nothing has come up in the "REAL" news sites yet.You got it buzzcut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Maybe they should get out of NASCAR, though. ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelayedPenalty Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Maybe they should get out of NASCAR, though.I actually think that if they pulled out of Nascar it would hurt them more. I don't think the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" philosophy really still applies, since the cars barely resemble the cars they represent, but it does influence the type of vehicle people buy. I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" It's the Big 3's largest media/marketing outlet, cutting it off would mean huge losses.Interesting side note though; How would Nascar fair if Chevy and Dodge did pull out? Could a Ford-Toyota series survive? Could the teams go without any manufacturer at all? Just brand the cars as "Nascar"s? Most teams build their own engines anyways, and there are little to no actual X (insert brand) parts in the car at all. The teams get sponsorship money and support from the manufacturers, but that's about the only ties they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddball Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Obviously, it's an April Fool's joke, but obviously you can tell who is a real Nascar fan and who isn't. Real Nascar fans know the cars aren't the show and know that the big 3 have in the past pulled out and Nascar survived. Nascar does not need the manufacturers and true fans follow the drivers and the teams, not the manufacturers. Do your research and find out when each manufacturer pulled out of the sport. Â Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I thought this was real when I heard, because of the radical tact this administration is taking, led by the tax dodging treasury sec, and Barney Frank. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBTV Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Maybe they should get out of NASCAR, though.I actually think that if they pulled out of Nascar it would hurt them more. I don't think the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" philosophy really still applies, since the cars barely resemble the cars they represent, but it does influence the type of vehicle people buy. I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" It's the Big 3's largest media/marketing outlet, cutting it off would mean huge losses.Interesting side note though; How would Nascar fair if Chevy and Dodge did pull out? Could a Ford-Toyota series survive? Could the teams go without any manufacturer at all? Just brand the cars as "Nascar"s? Most teams build their own engines anyways, and there are little to no actual X (insert brand) parts in the car at all. The teams get sponsorship money and support from the manufacturers, but that's about the only ties they have.That is beyond pathetic. "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Believe it or not there are NASCAR freaks that root for the Car maker, and drive what their favorite driver drives. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Boy Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" That is beyond pathetic.I knew a guy that wouldn't go to Home Depot, because they sponsored Tony Stewart. There are people out there that take this stuff (way too) seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBTV Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" That is beyond pathetic.I knew a guy that wouldn't go to Home Depot, because they sponsored Tony Stewart. There are people out there that take this stuff (way too) seriously.Those are the people I'm embarrassed to call my countrymen. You'd think natural selection would have weeded these "people" out a long time ago. "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JQK Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" That is beyond pathetic.I knew a guy that wouldn't go to Home Depot, because they sponsored Tony Stewart. There are people out there that take this stuff (way too) seriously.Those are the people I'm embarrassed to call my countrymen. You'd think natural selection would have weeded these "people" out a long time ago.You have a wonderful view of humanity.There are those of us that wish you would just fall from the face of the earth, yet he must deal with you everyday. So, how's bout you just learn to deal with these "people" as you say... Stay Tuned Sports Podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBTV Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" That is beyond pathetic.I knew a guy that wouldn't go to Home Depot, because they sponsored Tony Stewart. There are people out there that take this stuff (way too) seriously.Those are the people I'm embarrassed to call my countrymen. You'd think natural selection would have weeded these "people" out a long time ago.You have a wonderful view of humanity.There are those of us that wish you would just fall from the face of the earth, yet he must deal with you everyday. So, how's bout you just learn to deal with these "people" as you say...Some day natural selection will weed out Devils fans too. "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JQK Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I guarantee there are thousands of people who refuse to buy anything but a Chevy truck, because "Dale Jr. drives a Chevy!" That is beyond pathetic.I knew a guy that wouldn't go to Home Depot, because they sponsored Tony Stewart. There are people out there that take this stuff (way too) seriously.Those are the people I'm embarrassed to call my countrymen. You'd think natural selection would have weeded these "people" out a long time ago.You have a wonderful view of humanity.There are those of us that wish you would just fall from the face of the earth, yet he must deal with you everyday. So, how's bout you just learn to deal with these "people" as you say...Some day natural selection will weed out Devils fans too.One day, when New Jersey falls into the sea and those who remain will assimilate into the surrounding culture... Stay Tuned Sports Podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Name Here Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Ah, NASCAR. We won the Civil War, but really, what did we win? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrySmalls Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 Car and Drive apologizes for taking April Fool's Day too far.http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92422 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DG_ThenNowForever Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 So, why again would Dodge and Chevy pulling out of NASCAR be a bad thing? 1 hour ago, ShutUpLutz! said: and the drunken doodoobags jumping off the tops of SUV's/vans/RV's onto tables because, oh yeah, they are drunken drug abusing doodoobags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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