BREAKING: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger reportedly headed to NASCAR in 2010
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 15th 2009 at 12:56PM 
Whether or not you're a fan of NASCAR, the simple fact remains that none of the cars bear much resemblance to their factory counterparts, and it's not like the "Fusions" and "Chargers" are particularly sexy, either. So in an attempt to boost the series' viewers and souvenir sales, Fox Sports is reporting that Ford and Chrysler plan to introduce Mustang- and Challenger -bodied racers into the Nationwide series next year.
The new designs are due to be submitted for approval on June 26, and the 2010 NASCAR competitors are reportedly going to be visually closer to stock than anything we've seen since the new "aero-matched" cars began rolling out earlier this decade. Unfortunately, the new Mustang and Challenger cars will still be far removed from their stock siblings, and General Motors has apparently decided not to join its domestic rivals and produce a Camaro shell. Both GM and Toyota will reportedly run their current Impala and Camry bodies, respectively.
[Source: Fox Sports via Cars]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sea Urchin 1:03PM (6/15/2009)
Ohh Great, now you HAVE to have a mullet if you plat to buy either one.
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tuxchown 1:20PM (6/15/2009)
LOL. Even Sea Urchin has his moments. :-D
andre lavoie 1:23PM (6/15/2009)
sea urchin, most of the things you say anger me, but, this time, you've made me laugh. thank you.
Redeemed 1:28PM (6/15/2009)
"sea urchin, most of the things you say anger me"
Still prettly much 100% in my book.
dwaltr 3:30PM (6/15/2009)
Exactly SE. Plus the cars are going to be in the Nationwide series. Woop de do.
Randy 1:27PM (6/16/2009)
LOL Good one SE
derek 10:16AM (6/17/2009)
That is my quote of the day. Perfect!!!
BoxerFanatic 1:03PM (6/15/2009)
I have long wondered why they used the bodies they use... I am sure there is some un-interesting round-about reasoning...
Now if Mustang, Challenger, and theoretically Camaro, were to go to NASCAR, and go back to body-in-white based cars, (instead of micro-managed tube-frames, and profile-bodies.) and add more road courses to the schedule...
Maybe they would then change it back to Trans Am series racing.
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Rick C. 1:21PM (6/15/2009)
I second this. Real racing with real cars.
Dondonel 1:30PM (6/15/2009)
Trans Am alike racing still survives in the form of Grand Am SCC, but it is not promoted. Invest money in it and we'll have an interesting touring car series in US. NASCAR is a terrible waste of money and talent, it angers me beyond belief.
cdwrx 1:49PM (6/15/2009)
People say they want production-based cars in NASCAR, but when that was the case, they might have had four cars finish on the lead lap and sometimes you cars won by several laps. Sounds pretty boring. I haven't been a fan of NASCAR, haven't been for a long time, and I think they're too similar today, but seriously check out these results.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/cup/results?season=1975&gameId=19750119046
AZZO45b 1:50PM (6/15/2009)
Boxer: Its still going to be a CoT... 2010 will bring you new DECALS!!!
Do you really think you will see much "Challenger" or "Mustang" over the current NASCAR "Charger" & "Fusion"??? Its NASCAR man!!!
Mike 4:38PM (6/15/2009)
Well,
The last 20 years of Trans Am did see tube frame chassis but the bodies were more closely related to their street going counterparts.
Trans Am does have investors that plan to bring it back, I think next year or 2011 IIRC.
It'd be cool if they brought it back Grand Am Koni Challenge style with stock bodied and chassis cars but it's probably going to be stockish bodies on top of tube frames again.
Dude 1:04PM (6/15/2009)
Oh boy! New stickers! I bet it makes them faster.
I'll stick with SCCA.
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info 1:18PM (6/15/2009)
Indeed. I seriously doubt we'll much beyond that. And underneath it all there will still be a bunch of yestertech that bears no resemblance to modern automobile technology.
ack154 1:04PM (6/15/2009)
Honestly... whoopty doo!
Whether or not they're closer than other recent ones is irrelevant IMO. They're still FAR from the actual styling. Now there will just be new names going around the track for them to try to boost sales.
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GTX141 4:49PM (6/15/2009)
If you don't care, why waste our time with a post?
STFU
Jsams4131 5:09PM (6/15/2009)
exactly...people aren't wanting to buy a Toyota Camry after watching it win in the NASCAR race. In the real world, it is most likely a 4 cylinder/6 cylinder variant that is devoted to maximum efficiency..imo its rather backwards...I don't find it appealing to see a 4 door win on the weekend, and then go buy it in all the factory blandness that it is. Racing should advertise sports cars...it only makes sense...
but like everyone has stated...its simply a sticker change...they could be running "mustangs" next week if they really wanted to.
Kumail 1:04PM (6/15/2009)
That should help getting more viewers, I like the move.
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ack154 1:10PM (6/15/2009)
How? I mean, really... how do you see this happening? Because they're using different stickers with VERY SLIGHTLY different bodies?