Detroit’s automakers cast a cloud over NASCAR
Delahanty said he is looking for a strong Dodge finish to the NASCAR season at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend and looking forward to Daytona in February, where the Dodges will have new, more aerodynamic noses for the first Sprint Cup points race of 2009, the Daytona 500.
The 54-year-old Novi resident isn't burying his head in the sand, however, as news of the country's economy seems to worsen each day.
Delahanty knows Chrysler and his Detroit racing rivals, General Motors and Ford, are in grave danger unless they receive significant financial aid from Washington, and the sooner the better. Without it, Delahanty realizes millions of jobs across America could be lost, and the face of NASCAR could change.
Delahanty, senior manager of motorsports programs, was one of several racing insiders who spoke to the Free Press this week about the challenges facing NASCAR as the Big Three automakers bleed cash.
Les Unger, Toyota Motorsports national marketing manager, weighed in on the economic calamity and its racing fallout following Toyota Motor Corp.'s announcement of major third-quarter losses. Northville's Jack Roush, team owner of Ford's premier Cup outfit, Roush Fenway Racing, agreed it was crunch time for NASCAR and time for its race teams to take action.
"We've been beaten to the ground, kicked and stomped before, but the teams will get back on the track and do it again," said Delahanty, a former national drag racing record-holder and class champion. "These are difficult times, and there are a lot of things we have to do, so let's take our eye off of all the doom and gloom and get to work." More at Detroit Free Press