Dodge NASCAR program survives for now

Chrysler’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and its agreement to form an alliance with Italy-based Fiat SpA will not immediately impact the Dodge NASCAR program, according to Chrysler Director of Brand Marketing and Strategy Mike Accavitti.

Chrysler primarily supports seven teams, which compete with the Dodge brand, on the Sprint Cup circuit – four at Richard Petty Motorsports and three at Penske Racing.

“The partnership not only will transform Chrysler into a new, stronger car company with many strategic advantages, it will enable the company to better serve our customers with a broader and more competitive lineup of vehicles," Accavitti said in a statement Thursday. “NASCAR is a strategic part of our marketing plan and the Dodge brand. We plan to continue our Dodge sponsorship and relationship into the foreseeable future."

In a news release Thursday, Chrysler announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and would request “the swift approval by the court of the agreement with Fiat and the sale of Chrysler’s principal assets to the new company."