Pontiac Grand Am enters 2001 Pro Stock battle

DETROIT (October 25, 2000) - Pontiac Grand Am Brand Manager Sam Mancuso announced today that Grand Am will compete next year in the Pro Stock category on the 23-event NHRA Winston Championship tour. "Pontiac will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2001, and what better way to ring in an exciting new year of competition than to introduce Grand Am to NHRA Pro Stock competition," said Mancuso. "The strength and performance of Grand Am puts it in a class with some of the finest automobiles in the world, and the NHRA Pro Stock series is the perfect venue to showcase just another example of Pontiac driving excitement. Everyone on the Grand Am brand team is very proud to be a part of this dynamic racing series, and we're looking forward to continued success, not only in the showroom but on the racetrack as well." Although next year will mark the debut of Grand Am in NHRA Pro Stock competition, the nameplate is certainly no stranger to the dragstrip. In the past decade, the evolution of Grand Am into a champion of the quarter-mile has been rapid. In the NHRA's Sportsman categories, Grand Am has experienced tremendous success on the racetrack and helped to propel Pontiac to five consecutive NHRA Manufacturer's Cups (1996-2000). The sporty Grand Am, which comes in the SE and GT models, continues to be Pontiac's best-selling brand. The SE version of Grand Am offers a surplus of standard features plus a powerful Twin Cam engine. The Grand Am GT combines a sleek, aggressive body style with a Ram Air 3400 SFI powerplant that gives it a formidable performance package for discerning car buyers. Both the SE and GT versions of Grand Am come in two-door and four-door models. In 2001, Pontiac will serve as the Official Car of the NHRA for the sixth straight year. The Michigan-based car manufacturer provides sponsorship support for the series, and automobiles for administrative and on-site personnel at all 23 events on the NHRA championship tour. The Grand Am will also be featured next year as the Official Pace Car of the NHRA.