Chevy Will Debut New Brand In NASCAR

Conjecture over Chevrolet’s choice for the new, 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer heated up in a big way today, with the announcement that for the 2013 season, Team Chevy will field a vehicle based on a new, as-yet unnamed nameplate from the brand’s lineup.

Taking advantage of new NASCAR rules allowing manufacturers to display more brand identity in their racecars, the new Chevrolet racer will closely resemble the production version. Both cars will be unveiled later this year.


Will Chevrolet turn to the 2013 Chevelle...

“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles,” said Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable.”

Despite the corporate secrecy, speculation centers on either the new 2013 Chevrolet Chevelle, or the Holden Commodore rumored to be scheduled for import from Australia.  Automotive insiders have speculated for some time about GM’s interest in bringing the rear-wheel drive Commodore back to the United States, rebranded as a Chevrolet. GM Inside News reported in March of last year that the Commodore had been confirmed to return to the United States as a Chevrolet SS Sedan, but not until 2014.


...or a rebranded Holden Commodore?

Chevrolet’s current racecar, the Impala, took three out of top five spots at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, including a win by Tony Stewart. Since 2007, Impala has claimed 79 checkered flags and five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers' Championships. Drivers Jimmie Johnson (4) and Stewart (1) have collected five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver's championships in the Impala.

“The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are confident the new racecar will allow us to remain the most successful name in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history,” Campbell said.

Chevy’s legacy in motorsports dates all the way back to co-founder Louis Chevrolet’s passion for automobile racing. Chevrolet has won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship 35 times, and Chevrolet Corvette Racing has taken seven class trophies at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A Chevrolet-branded V-8 racing engine won the Indianapolis 500 seven times between 1988 and 2002. The racing version of the Chevrolet Cruze, which since 2009 has become the bowtie brand’s best-selling car globally, claimed the World Touring Car Championship Cup in 2010 and 2011, and is the first-ever General Motors-branded vehicle to win such honors in a FIA-organized series.