Ford isn’t alone in planning to race a new car at next year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup series. General Motors announced today that development of its 2013 stock-car racer is well under way.
However, the record-setting Impala, which has won 79 races in the last four years, will be retired. Chevrolet will instead race another nameplate based on a new production car that will join its line-up.
Having raced for a long time with the Monte Carlo, Chevrolet decided to field the Impala in NASCAR racing, following the 2007 rule changes under the “Car of Tomorrow” initiative that also allowed a manufacturer to race two different cars.
The Impala’s return after a very long absence from the sport was succesful: in March 25, 2007, Kyle Busch in the #5 car took the chequered flag at the Bristol, Tennessee race marking Chevy’s 600th win in NASCAR.
Moreover, Jimmie Johnson has won four drivers’ championships and Tony Stewart one behind the wheel of the Impala, adding to Chevrolet’s impressive tally in stock-car racing.
The carmaker is being very secretive about the Impala’s successor.
“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles”, said Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.
“We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable.”
You can watch a preview of the 2012 season, as well as an in-board video of the Impala, right after the break.
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