Dodge and Chevy to change NASCAR nameplates

UPDATE #2 Dodge's Mike Accavitti, the new racing boss, continues to say no-comment on reports his company will follow GM's lead and badge its own car of tomorrow under the new Avenger logo. Winston Salem Journal

10/24/06 General Motors has received permission from NASCAR to begin fielding a new model car in Cup competition next season, the Impala SS, replacing its current Monte Carlo SS model, The Charlotte Observer reports. A formal announcement of the change is scheduled Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where a new model of the car built by Hendrick Motorsports will be unveiled, multiple sources confirmed Monday night.

10/23/06 According to Yahoo! Sports, beginning in 2007, Dodge and Chevrolet will campaign new models in Nextel Cup competition. Dodge will run the Avenger, while Chevrolet will run the Impala SS, according to sources with some of NASCAR's manufacturers. The change also was indicated in a technical bulletin distributed to all teams last week. Both Dodge and Chevy soon will announce that they have been given approval by NASCAR to change to the new models, with Chevy's announcement possibly coming as soon as this week.