CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two iconic motorsports brands will deepen their NASCAR partnership for the 2010
race season.
Dodge, the performance brand of Chrysler Group LLC, has expanded its partnership
with Penske Racing, representing Dodge’s expanded commitment to support
entries in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide series.
Since 2001, Dodge Motorsports has partnered with Penske Racing in stock car
racing’s premier division – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Beginning
in 2010, Dodge Motorsports will expand its involvement into the NASCAR Nationwide
Series where it will provide support for two Penske Racing entries
Penske Racing's Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier (left), and Penske President
Tim Cindric pose with the 2010 Dodge Challenger. |
“Dodge’s firm commitment to stock car racing … is demonstrated
by our performance-driven technology being developed alongside one of the premier
racing programs in American motorsports history,” said Ralph Gilles,
President and CEO of Dodge Car Brand. “Penske Racing is an elite organization
that shares the same passion for performance and racing as Dodge customers
and the brand itself.”
Entering its second decade since returning to NASCAR’s premier series,
Dodge’s goal has been to win races, have multiple teams make The Chase
for the Championship and compete for the Sprint Cup while providing the highest
quality technological resources to its race teams.
Kurt Busch and the No. 2 Miller Light Charger
|
Since 2001, Dodge teams have posted 45 wins in NASCAR’s premier series
including the historic Daytona 500.
“Motorsports is a significant part of Dodge’s legacy,” added
Gilles. “NASCAR’s audience is an enthusiast’s audience and
provides Dodge a platform to showcase the power and performance of the Dodge
brand to our target customers where they live and play.”
Three Penske Racing entries will lead Dodge Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series in 2010, led by 20-time winner Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge
Charger).
Sam Hornish Jr. |
Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, looks to build
on an impressive 2009 campaign which saw the “Blue Deuce” visit
victory lane twice while finishing fourth in the season driver’s standings – best
in class for 2009.
Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger) returns for
his third year, joining Brad Keselowski (No. 12 Dodge Charger) who enters his
first full season with Penske Racing after running the final four races in
the No. 12 Dodge Charger.
“We’re confident our three drivers and Penske Racing will represent
Dodge well in the Sprint Cup Series in 2010,” said Gilles. “The
objective is clear. We expect to win races, have drivers in The Chase and compete
for the 2010 Sprint Cup Series championship.”
Brad Keselowski |
Dodge Motorsports will look to 2009 Rookie of the Year winner Justin Allgaier
(No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger) and Keselowski, a four-time Nationwide
race winner (No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger), to lead a two-team Penske
Racing entry with both running the full Nationwide Series schedule.
This will
mark the first time that Dodge will be involved in the Nationwide Series at
the corporate level since returning to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2001.
The Dodge Challenger will be used at the four “New Car” races
designated by NASCAR for 2010, starting at Daytona in July. At the other 31
events that complete the 35-race season, Penske Racing will field Dodge Chargers
as it did during the 2009 season.
