GM Racing, Pontiac respond to NASCAR rules changes

Latest rules changes leave Pontiac camp behind

DETROIT, Nov. 14, 2001 - An adjustment to the 2001 rules package for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series was distributed to race teams Tuesday morning and for those affiliated with the Pontiac Grand Prix effort, no news was troubling.

Pontiac, which appears to be at an aerodynamic disadvantage on downforce dependent tracks, received no changes to its current body specifications. At the same time, Ford, which dominated an event just over two weeks ago at Phoenix International Raceway, was given a one-half inch extension to the front valance of its cars. Dodge, which dominated Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, was instructed to move its front valance back one inch. That still leaves Dodge teams with a one-inch extension, as they work back from the two-inch extension they received prior to the running of the Brickyard 400 in early August.

Thoughts From Doug Duchardt, NASCAR Group Manager for GM Racing:

"We are glad to see that NASCAR has taken action on limiting the Dodge advantage. It still remains unclear why NASCAR would not equalize the entire field, choosing instead to assist Ford.

"Since there has not been a NASCAR wind tunnel test since March, one can only assume that the changes announced today were based on the results seen at the racetrack. Ford just swept the top four spots in Phoenix two weeks ago, while the last Pontiac win was at Bristol in August, and the only Pontiac win at a high-speed track this entire season was at Pocono in July.

"We know that Joe Gibbs Racing fields two championship-caliber teams and is capable of winning and dominating races. Unfortunately, NASCAR does not appear to be concerned with providing a level playing field for them or any of the other Pontiac Grand Prix teams."

-GM Racing-