#20-#8-#22-#32 Get Winded

March 14, 2002

GM Racing Comments on NASCAR Rules Following Monday's Wind Tunnel Test

DETROIT, Mich.,- Following Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, NASCAR took the No. 20 Pontiac of Tony Stewart, the No. 8 Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr., the No. 22 Dodge of Ward Burton and the No. 32 Ford of Ricky Craven to the Lockheed wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., for aerodynamic testing, which was conducted Monday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR had announced no adjustments to the current rules package.

DOUG DUCHARDT, NASCAR GROUP MANAGER, GM RACING:
"Without question, we're disappointed by the lack of action taken by NASCAR this week with regard to adjusting the rules for the Winston Cup Series. "It has been our belief for some time that a number of things need to be adjusted to bring the field back together, and not just with one make. The wind tunnel data we received Monday, coupled with the overall on-track performance this season, reinforces those beliefs. "We certainly remember how quickly NASCAR moved prior to the Daytona 500 to help Dodge and Ford. With the data from Monday's test and the precedent set in Daytona, we expected consistent and equitable treatment this week. "On our side of the equation, the Chevrolet needs help to counter the revised inspection process implemented this year by NASCAR. The changes made to that process have hurt the Monte Carlo more than any of the four makes. The data received Monday indicates that we are dealing with a 10 percent downforce discrepancy between the Dodge and Chevrolet, which is a significant and evident amount in this series. We offered NASCAR a number of suggestions this week, which would have gone a long way towards putting the races back in the hands of the drivers and teams. "GM Racing has always been in agreement with NASCAR in desiring a level playing field in the Winston Cup Series. Unfortunately, it appears we will go at least another week without taking steps to get there."