Whither Chrysler and NASCAR?

  
Dodge star Elliott Sadler: Rosetta Stone as a new sponsor, perhaps? (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

  
  

   By Mike Mulhern
   mikemulhern.net

   RICHMOND, Va.
   So how might Chrysler's bankruptcy, declared Thursday, under pressure from President Barack Obama, affect NASCAR's Dodge teams?
   Mike Accavitti, the Chrysler director of brand marketing and strategy, issued a brief statement: "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."
   What that might mean, of course, is unclear.
   Despite Obama's hopes that by pushing the Detroit automaker into an alliance with Italian Fiat (which would eventually take majority interest), there is some skepticism about Chrysler's continued survival. Why, for instance, should Fiat be able to accomplish something that German rival Daimler Benz was unable to – Daimler bought Chrysler in 1998 for a whopping $38 billion, only to give up and sell it two years ago for $8 billion, quite a loss.
   Under current plans a new nine-man Chrysler board will be selected, present CEO Bob Nardelli is out, and a new CEO will be named by the board. The new board will include three people chosen by Fiat, four by the U.S. government.
   Accavitti says "as a result of the comprehensive restructuring plan agreed to by many of our stakeholders, the company (Chrysler) has signed an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to create a vibrant new car company.
   "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 line-up of vehicles."
   Now, where might NASCAR fit into all that?
  
  


  
Dodge racing boss Mike Accavitti (L) and one of his company's NASCAR stars, Kasey Kahne (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)