Challengers in NASCAR
The following story was in the December 2008 Issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines:
NASCAR Challenger?
Mopar brings its coupe pony car in the Nationwide series
"In an effort to differentiate the Nationwide (formerly Busch Cup) racing series form the Nextel Cup big boys, NASCAR has asked its participating manufacturers to develop new bodies for the 2010 year, leaning toward sporty coupe models. That means that Mustang shaped, Challenger shaped and Camaro shaped machines will be duking it out on the high banks and road courses of the NASCAR circuit.
Testing began this past month, and while Toyota is stuck with its Camry coupe model, the Detroit Three have been encouraged to shape their new Car of Tomorrow chassis’ed machines like the pony cars that are enjoying their current renaissance.
Early prototypes saw new noses grafted onto older bodies – the Dodge they tested has a Challenger-esque nose grafted onto a current Charger body. This is expected to change over time as the various teams get up to speed with their machines. The 2010 Nationwide cars will run on a 110-inch wheelbase, same as the current Nextel Cup cars and up from the 105 inches as they currently run.
The Nationwide series will see the newly bodied cars take to the track for the first time at the start of the 2010 season".
Could this still happen....or is all just wishful thinking....I guess time will tell...