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Team Chevy - A Look Ahead to 2008 in NASCAR
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Competition - Building on Success
After the history-making 2007 season that saw Chevrolet teams and drivers score 26 NSCS wins; Jimmie Johnson repeat as the series' champion with a remarkable 10 wins; Chevy drivers scoring seven of the final top-10 standings, including four of the top-five, all culminating in Team Chevy claiming an unprecedented 31st manufacturers' title and 24th drivers title, the men and women of GM Racing have barely had time to catch their breath.
Critical components for Team Chevy in the upcoming NSCS season are NASCAR mandating the new-generation race car, Chevy's Impala SS, to full-time status for NSCS competition and Chevy's innovative and award-winning R07 engine as the power plant.
“There really isn’t much of an off-season,” said Alba Colon, GM Racing’s Chevrolet program manager, NASCAR Sprint Cup. “We are working hard with the teams to have another successful 2008 season. I believe that when you are at the top of your game, you have to work harder to stay there.
“All the teams and manufacturers have had a chance to work with the new generation race cars, and everyone is improving. Our Chevrolet teams are working hard to stay ahead of the game."
After scoring 14 victories in 31 Nextel Cup events since its debut, the new Chevrolet R07 engine and its development team have already recognized with a prestigious global award. In late November, GM Racing's Jim Covey was named the 2007 Race Engine Designer of the Year by the World Motorsport Symposium held at Oxford Brookes University (England) for his efforts in overseeing the development of the new Chevrolet R07 engine.
In addition, the Impala SS who made its debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in March 2007 and came home with a victory, followed by 12 additional wins before season's end, received world-wide motorsports attention when Kurt Romberg, head of aerodynamics at Hendrick Motorsports, was presented with the Race Car Aerodynamicist of 2007 award by the Symposium.
Colon concluded by saying: “We are very proud of the fact that the R07 has already proven to be a reliable, safe, and cost-effective engine for our Chevy teams. So in addition to learning more and more about our new Impala SS race car, we have a better understanding of the R07 engine now too. But we must continue to stay ahead of the other teams and manufacturers. Before we know it, we’ll be back on the race track at Daytona.”
With a strong line-up of teams and drivers in NSCS competition for 2008:
...GM Racing and its Team Chevy partners are looking forward to continuing the Chevrolet winning legacy.
Team Chevy in NASCAR Nationwide Series
On the heels of winning the 2007 owners championship in the series, Richard Childress will defend his title with the No. 29 combo of Scott Wimmer and Jeff Burton. He will also field Clint Bowyer in a full-time bid for the championship as well as a third entry that will include veteran driver Bobby Labonte for 15 races. Additional driver announcements will be made prior to the start of the season.
Kevin Harvick will focus on the efforts of his own Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) Nationwide Series team. Harvick will pilot the No. 33 KHI Chevy in 22 races with Ron Hornaday, defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion taking the wheel twice and Cale Gale in the cockpit for the remaining races. Harvick's goal is help Gale gain valuable experience while bringing the team to the winning form he knows his organization is capable of delivering.
Rusty Wallace Inc. has become the newest member of the Chevy Nationwide Series camp. Steven Wallace will campaign a full-time entry for the championship with drivers David Stremme, Chase Austin, and Max Papis piloting a second entry on a limited schedule.
"I am excited about the 2008 NNS," said Shane Martin, GM Racing’s Chevrolet program manager, NASCAR Nationwide Series. "Coming off their owner's championship, Richard Childress Racing will field entries that will be contenders for the victory every race.
"Our newest teammates, Rusty Wallace, Inc., will add strength to our roster. They have been great to work with and we are already helping get them ready for the 2008 season with wind tunnel time."
Also adding to the Chevy firepower in NNS competition is the merger of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports NNS operation.
“I am looking forward to the JR Motorsports / HMS merger," Martin continued. "I feel that Chad Walter and Tony Eury will work great together and field competitive race cars. It will be great to see Jimmie (Johnson), (Earnhardt) Junior, and Mark (Martin) in select races along with Landon Cassill who shows great potential. I have been excited about Brad Keselowski ever since I first met him when he was driving in the NCTS and Keith Coleman’s Busch Car. I am glad he has this opportunity to showcase the talent that he has!”
In conclusion, Martin said: "It is going to be an exciting year for Chevrolet in the NNS. Even though we have just barely finished the '07 season, I can hardly wait to get to Daytona."
The February 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway is closer than it might seem. The "off season" is anything but quiet for the GM Racing technical team that supports Team Chevy key partners in the top-tier of NASCAR competition.
The 2008 season for Team Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) is shaping up to be more competitive than ever.
