2000 Monte Carlo Approved

Chevrolet gains NASCAR approval for 2000 Monte Carlo

DETROIT -- Chevrolet Motor Division and its affiliated teams have received formal design approval from NASCAR for the all-new 2000 model year Monte Carlo which will compete in the prestigious Winston Cup Series beginning next season. "We are confident that the new Monte Carlo will provide our teams with a solid cornerstone upon which they can ultimately develop a competitive product that will carry on our winning heritage," said Kurt Ritter, Chevrolet general manager. The approval means that teams will soon be receiving the required body templates necessary to build their race vehicles in compliance with NASCAR's strict specifications. These templates dictate the overall shape, angles and lengths of the exterior panels used on the vehicles. "Chevrolet is pleased to say that the race version, as approved by the sanctioning body, will utilize the same hood, roof and decklid sheetmetal as our all-new 2000 model year street car," noted Don Parkinson, Monte Carlo brand manager. "That's more production content than any other non-GM car on the circuit today and helps Chevrolet keep the word 'stock' in 'stock car' racing." The contour of the windshield and overall shape of the rear fascia panel will also be shared between production and race versions. According to Parkinson, "race fans will be readily able to identify the car as the all-new two door Monte Carlo from the moment it rolls onto the track. That recognition will ultimately translate into new car sales." The race versions will debut at the season-opening Daytona 500 next February. "Even though the new Monte Carlo will not be competing on the NASCAR circuit this season, launch timing of our production car remains on schedule for retail deliveries later this summer," said Parkinson. The production 2000 Monte Carlo LS and SS models made their public debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February. A prototype of the proposed NASCAR Winston Cup version was also revealed in Chicago as well as a pace car version of the SS used to pace this year's Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 events. On Memorial Day weekend over 160 million race fans world-wide watched as the 2000 Monte Carlo made motorsports history by pacing two major events on the same day. At the Indianapolis 500, comedian Jay Leno handled the driving duties while NASCAR team owner Richard Childress was honored with the opportunity at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.