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Published Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 | 2:40 p.m.
Updated Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 | 2:46 p.m.
Finally, there’s some good news out of Detroit. The Ford Motor Company, the only Detroit manufacturer that didn’t accept federal bailout money, announced Thursday a surprising profit of $2.7 billion for 2009. This was the first profit for the company in four years.
So, naturally, the first question that came to my mind was what, if anything, would this mean for Ford’s involvement in NASCAR? Would Ford be willing to support more teams in Cup racing? Could we see Ford increase its financial commitment to the existing teams?
I put these questions to Kevin Kennedy, the communications director for Ford Racing. Kevin responded that there are no plans to add more Ford teams for 2010. Ford’s racing budget for 2010 is decided in advance and is unchanged from the amount the company spent on their racing program in 2009. Since the budget is unchanged, that also means that there won’t be an increase in funding to existing teams.
Kevin mentioned that the company is happy with the current stable of Cup teams and, as would be expected, is excited about Richard Petty Racing’s move to Ford and with the company’s involvement with Front Row Motorsports. The manufacturer will have a larger presence in the sport next year due to the addition of Richard Petty Racing, but that was a deal that was decided last year before the announcement of Ford’s financial gain. For 2010, Ford will have 12 to 13 teams in the Sprint Cup Series. Chevrolet will have around 14 and Dodge will have four.
I like the fact that Ford and Chevy will be so evenly represented on the track, and I hope that we can see rivalries between manufacturers as well as drivers this season.
This hardly makes Ford "evenly represented on the track" unless you are talking destruction derby racing (aka Nationwide).
Matt won two races which shocked him more than anybody and McMurray won one. Out of 36? I'm sure Hendricks and Toyota are trembling with fear that Petty switched over....
Right, I'm sure the guys at Hendrick or Toyota aren't too worried about the Petty drivers now that they are in Fords. But if things keep going the way they have been for GM and Toyota, Ford might be the only car company with the right financial resources to reinvest in Cup. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more Dodges in the field to even things out.
Watching the Rolex today, the new Camaro could do wonders for Chevy which hasn't offered anything exciting in years except $200,000 Vettes. Kicking ass on Porches and BMWs will get some Monday sales (if anybody has any money left to buy any new toys).
Almendinger driving for Petty could easily be the real breakout this year for Ford. Doesn't seem the Roushers have the fire in the belly necessary anymore. Look what Ambrose did last year driving third rate equipment.
Great to see the new Camaro crush the Euro trash. Almendinger could stand out, but I think Edwards is the one Roush driver who can perform well this year.
The Camaro in the Rolex is not a true Camaro.If you listened to what they had to say about it that the body is Camaro,but everything else is same as last year,chassis,etc. is Corvette!But as for the article,I myself think Fords will do just fine this year!!
I would still never buy a Ford product.
WTF? All the cars are identical except for the motors and the decals. Ford is a Chevy is a Toyota. You can buy a motor from Hendrick, and be competitive for one race. What a joke of a "sport".
The camaro is a Corvette with different body styles...Just like the Cadi Xlr,, Same thing....
New camaro is gay. Looks like a fat woman. Then again, what do you expect from the people's car company?
The new Camaro was designed before GM took the bailout money.