Add Ford To The Chorus

Ford Motor Company has joined GM and Daimler-Chrysler in denying reports that one of the Big Three automakers is set to withdraw from NASCAR.

Kevin Kennedy, Ford's Public Affairs Manager for racing, said yesterday, "We've seen that story, and I can assure you Ford does not plan on getting out of NASCAR. Our racing program has support at the highest levels of the company, and our research and data has shown conclusively that there's a viable business case for us being involved in the sport. Racing is part of the Ford DNA, and has been since Henry Ford raced back in 1901."

General Motors' NASCAR Director, Pat Suhy, confirmed earlier remarks by company offiicials that GM has no plans to leave the Nextel Cup, Busch or Craftsman Truck Series'. "We're here in NASCAR, and we're here to stay," he said. "It makes good business sense for us to be here. We get a great return on our investment."

Team owner Ray Evernham, whose operation fields Dodges and is sponsored by the Dodge Dealers Association, said, "I know they're happy. I've got a really long-term contract with them, and if I were a betting man, I'd bet it's not Daimler-Chrysler."