| NASCAR just finished a night of incredibly racing with | | | | have closed in the last two years due to the |
| its All-Star event at the Lowes Motor Speedway. | | | | economic downturn. |
| Even the most cynical of racing fans had to enjoy | | | | So, why is this troubling? Well, the GM and Chrysler |
| the wild driving in that one. Still, a cloud hangs over | | | | companies that come out of bankruptcy are going to |
| NASCAR in the form of GM and Chrysler. | | | | be a lot smaller than the ones that went in. How |
| The future of NASCAR is tied up in the future of GM | | | | exactly are they going to explain and justify the |
| and Chrysler. Chrysler has already filed for bankruptcy | | | | expense of backing so many cars in the Sprint Cup, |
| protection. GM is on the cusp of doing the same and | | | | Nationwide and truck series? Tracks are already |
| it is only the most irrational of people that don't see | | | | seeing the advertising dollars from these companies |
| it coming. Still, the issue is whether these bankruptcy | | | | drying up, so the possibility of a pull back on the |
| filings really will impact the Chevrolet and Dodge | | | | number of teams they will support is very possible. |
| teams in the field. The picture is hazy, but starting to | | | | We could even see them leave the sport, particularly |
| come into focus. | | | | Chrysler which has done it before. |
| The good news is Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11 | | | | It should be noted other forms of motor racing are |
| bankruptcy. When GM files, it will do the same. What | | | | facing similar issues. Formula One is in such a brawl |
| is good about that? Chapter 11 is a reorganization | | | | over how the sport should be organized and run, that |
| bankruptcy. That means the company intends to | | | | Ferrari is both suing the ruling body and threatening |
| continue functioning, but needs help cutting its debt. | | | | to leave the sport. That would be the equivalent of |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a flat out liquidation of the | | | | Hendrick suing NASCAR and leaving. Basically, it is |
| company, which obviously would not be good news | | | | chaos everywhere. |
| for the teams in NASCAR. | | | | So, what will happen? Well, if I could read the future |
| Although Chrysler and General Motors are going to | | | | I'd be playing the ponies and lotto. Obviously, I |
| reorganize, troubling signs are coming out of those | | | | cannot or I probably wouldn't be writing this. |
| efforts. You've probably already read about a few of | | | | Regardless, a best guess would be that General |
| them. Both companies are closing massive numbers | | | | Motors stays in NASCAR, but the Dodge teams |
| of dealership. The last count showed a total of 2,000 | | | | disappear. With Toyota pulling back on the massive |
| or so dealerships being closed. This is in addition to | | | | expenditures for its Formula One team, I could see |
| the 1,000 plus that have already been believed to | | | | the Dodge teams switching over to the Camry. |