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Dodge has smaller Sprint Cup lineup, 'high hopes' for 2009
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Penske Racing's Kurt Busch is one of 11 Dodge drivers that didn't make the Chase in 2008.
Chris Graythen
Getty Images
Although it will have fewer cars on the track and fewer promotional displays after cutting 30 percent of its NASCAR budget, Dodge has not cut back its Sprint Cup research and development and hopes that even with fewer cars it will have better results after a season in which it failed to put a car in the Chase For The Sprint Cup.
With Chip Ganassi Racing’s merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc. eliminating three Cup teams from where Dodge started in 2008, the manufacturer has at least one less organization to support in 2009. And Dodge could end up with only six cars this season if the Gillett Evernham Motorsports-Petty Enterprises pending merger eliminates two more from the stable, which also included Robby Gordon in 2008. Gordon has switched to Toyota for 2009.
That leaves three Dodge entries at Penske and three or four at the GEM-Petty consolidation.
“You want to have a portfolio of drivers that can at any given time deliver a top-five or a victory,” said Mike Accavitti, director of the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brands. “We feel with the lineup that we have remaining that we can do that. … The seven cars that we have – or eight cars or six cars or whatever it ends up to be – will be sufficient.
“We can give Dodge customers a good show. We can give NASCAR fans a good show, and we can represent the brand well.”
Accavitti said that his budget was set and would not get increased by the authorization of the bridge loan for Chrysler. He said it will remain at 30 percent below 2008, just as it was planned prior to President George Bush’s approval of the loan last month.
“The entire operation was contingent upon the bridge loans being passed,” he said. “It was a critical element for the viability of our company, and we’re very appreciative to have that behind us and be able to move forward.
“Our NASCAR plans were established and we were working towards them independent of the bridge loan situation. We were not going to spend more because of it.”
According to Accavitti, the cuts come from not having Ganassi, ending all support in the Camping World Truck Series (a decision made a few years ago) and having “severely dialed down” plans for displays, promotions, contests and sponsorships at selected tracks.
Accavitti did not think a GEM-Petty merger would have a big impact on his budget.
“I don’t anticipate that if there is a reduction associated with a merger, that it would be a significant reduction because we have agreements in place with both teams that we would have to [figure out] once they come to an agreement of what they’re going to do,” Accavitti said.
By cutting out significant at-track activation, Accavitti said the company will have to rely more on Internet and e-mail campaigns.
One area not cut was research for Cup engineering.
“Our on-track performance, hopefully, will improve,” Accavitti said. “We didn’t trim back our engineering [in Cup]. … We do feel that the guys really learned a lot last year. We got the new engine that the teams will be rolling out. We have pretty high hopes.”
Dodge also could use a boost on the track a year after it had no driver in the Chase. Did that impact sales?
“There were so many other things going in the [sales] environment,” Accavitti said. “At the same time as the Chase was happening, we had the financial collapse, [our financial issues] and all the negative publicity that was associated with that. You had the buying preferences of the U.S. population shifting with gas prices and the ability to buy a car was a problem.
“So there were so many things going on, we couldn’t attribute a direct link to say that because we didn’t make the Chase that we lost sales. I will tell you that obviously making the Chase and being involved in the Chase is important for us as you get the extra press coverage that is associated with it.”
Accavitti has overseen Dodge motorsports for the last three years and remains involved despite now having other duties with the company. He also has seen his senior motorsports manager Mike Delahanty take an early retirement package.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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26 responses to "Dodge has smaller Sprint Cup lineup, 'high hopes' for 2009". Post a Comment.
Michael Daly said:
Jan 7, 2009 at 5:47 PMDodge has high delusions. They undercut Lou Patane in 2000 and Stuttgart took over the program in 2001; they sabotaged the inter-team cooperation that Petty, Davis, and Evernham had going, first by bringing in Chip Ganassi, then favoring Evernham, then bringing in Penske, and all the while NOT getting all the teams working together. They could have salvaged their program and saved some of their teams - and they didn't.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportterry ruth said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 10:59 AMsave one Dodge.....TO RUN OVER BOB NARDELLI
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim the Fan said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 2:03 PMDodge will be stronger this year no doubt, but so will all the other manufacturers. So it will be this year more dependend on drivers. I would dare say at this point that the addition of AJ into the Dodge group increases their chances of winning. It really wouldn't surprise me to see AJ the highest finishing Dodge and that's something when they have Kahne and Bush in their stable too.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMarion Gainey 111 said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 2:49 PMAs of late Penske and GEM have been the best DODGE teams.With Ganassi gone and Petty merging with Gem, Dodge will only have 2 organizations to support.Maybe they can share some key info as a manufacturer like the other makes, as a Dodge Mopar fan Im tired of seeing the Dodge teams struggle both Dodge and the teams themselves need to step it up. I know the Dodge program is behind the others but it takes a team effort from the team and Dodge.I also hope Gillett can get the Sadler deal solved and announce whos going to drive the 19 Dodge.If everybody has done their homework Dodge should get back on track. GO KASEY KAHNE #9 in 09 !!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMarion Gainey 111 said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 2:49 PMAs of late Penske and GEM have been the best DODGE teams.With Ganassi gone and Petty merging with Gem, Dodge will only have 2 organizations to support.Maybe they can share some key info as a manufacturer like the other makes, as a Dodge Mopar fan Im tired of seeing the Dodge teams struggle both Dodge and the teams themselves need to step it up. I know the Dodge program is behind the others but it takes a team effort from the team and Dodge.I also hope Gillett can get the Sadler deal solved and announce whos going to drive the 19 Dodge.If everybody has done their homework Dodge should get back on track. GO KASEY KAHNE #9 in 09 !!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsteve kopecy said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 2:53 PMLOSING GANASSI WAS NO LOSS AS EVERYONE WILL SEE THIS YEAR. DODGE WILL BE OK BUT IT WILL TAKE SOME MORE TIME. WITH ALL THE POLITICS AND LAW SUITS AND DISTRACTIONS AT GEM/EVERNHAM/PETTY,(THE LEADERS FOR DODGE), IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER SEASON FOR THEM TO REGROUP AND GET THEIR HEADS SCREWED ON STRAIGHT AND BACK INTO RACING. IT'S JUST HUMAN NATURE TO SLIP WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON THERE. THE NEW ENGINE IS NOT THEIR SAVIOR. IT WILL STILL HAVE ISSUES TOO. I STILL SAY KASEY NEEDS TO BAIL OUT AND GET WITH A GOOD FORD OR GM TEAM (NOT TOYOTA)AND LET THE REST OF THEM OVER THERE DEAL WITH ALL THE DRAMA!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKim Palmer said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 2:58 PMDodge, Chevy, Ford, Toyota, WHO CARES!!! Bring em all on. I can't wait for the season to start. Maybe our new President will show some Detroit support and throw the green flag at Daytona!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdave ginger said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 4:00 PMThey are almost exactly the same anyway. Except for the heads and maybe some teams have their little secrets. I doubt if Obama comes to Daytona though.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 4:13 PMBless your heart, Kim. My sentiments exactly.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMr Galvan said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 5:14 PMWith these 2 teams they will up front ALL year! Hope they work 2gether. Hopefully penske runs a 4th car too!
Report as AbuseGO DODGE
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKim Palmer said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 5:47 PMThanks Bernadette. There has been way to much smack on these posts lately. A kind word or 2 goes a long way to making someones day. Who know who reads these. I know everyone is passionate about THEIR driver, team or car, but holly cow knock off the name calling, back stabbing and finger pointing. We all have something in common with a love for a sport, lets bring up ideas to improve not demoralize it and the people that run it.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner Boehmert said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 6:03 PM#9...Bernadette...if you need to degrade a person to make a point...i feel for you...give a better answer...not an attack...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJanice Marler said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 6:10 PMWerner maybe you should re-read #9...Bernadette. That's certain not an attack and was a good answer. JMO
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDan Seibert said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 6:10 PMNICE DREAM KIM!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJanice Marler said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 6:11 PMKim, I heartily agree with your post #11.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportGraceann Jackson said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 6:55 PMIf the two Dodge teams would work together we might get some where this season. I really think that FINALLY Kahne will have team mates to work with in the draft. AJ & Kahne ran well together in the last 5 races, that's something Kahne has never had before, a team mate to work with. Bring on 09 I'm tired of waiting!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportB HAUGE said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 7:27 PMDodge,
Report as AbuseYour efforts are too little, too late. Your poor performing cars and lack of support helped to drive away a good driver like Mr. Ryan Newman. He Bush and Kahne were your best hopes. The ship (Dodge racing)deserves to sink with the lack of support you have shown the Penske group to date.
Bonnie Hague
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKim Palmer said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 7:29 PMDan...You made me laugh, yeah your right, but hey I guess I'm just in that kind of mood today. It just seams folks are just so frikin mean to each other. I kind would like to think NASCAR fans would be nice to each other...I know Dan I'm dreaming again. I'll let ya know, Dan when I wake up.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner Boehmert said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 7:52 PMJanice...it was in reference to a previous comment...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportArt Sheeler said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 1:03 AMKim!!! you said it best.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPat Draper said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 3:02 PMI doubt if Obama knows what Nascar is. Besides he has to much to do to make this a better world. Thats the biggest laugh i've heard in years.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKim Palmer said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 3:04 PMWhat? That he would green flag Daytona or make this a better world?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDan Seibert said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 10:16 PMTHE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO DODGE IS R GORDON AND R NEWMAN LEAVING.NOW MAYBE THE TEAMS CAN WORK TOGETHER.those two are so hard headed no one could work with them.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDan Seibert said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 10:19 PMASK RUSTY
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBernadette Motherway said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 10:29 PMYou must be talking about Rusty Wallace? I like him when he was a driver, but he was hard to work with except for his family (brothers). Before I go too far, what does this have to do with the article?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDan Seibert said:
Jan 10, 2009 at 12:26 AMwhat it has to do with, is with them gone the dodge TEAMS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER BETTER.
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