Motor Speedway

Motor Speedway

Motor Speedway

Chevy Impala Ss to Debut at Bristol Motor Speedway

GM Racing, after a couple of years of conducting track testing, is poised to set forth a promising race car in the Chevy Impala SS. To stir enthusiasm to the Impala SS debut on the racetrack, the Chevy Team utilized rocket science and expertise in safety. The Chevy Impala SS is set to conquer the Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25.

"We feel comfortable with the position we are in due to the time, communication and resources that GM has invested to work closely with NASCAR on the rollout of the Impala SS," said Pat Suhy, the GM Racing NASCAR group manager. "I think our integrated approach in working with NASCAR on its new-generation race car has been valuable in helping them meet their four key objectives and valuable for us, particularly in gaining increased manufacturer identity with the Impala SS."

NASCAR's Research & Development Center advances its Car of Tomorrow program to include addition safety features, lessen coasts, offer increased race competition and incorporate manufacturer identity.

GM Racing has been working closely with NASCAR since March 2005. GM Racing engineers were assisted by NASCAR to come up with safety and aerodynamic changes to the race cars. It also gave recommendations on the new wing and splitter. GM also sought the aid of its design studio which allowed for a greater input on design cues thus resulting in the Impala SS race car more closely resembling its production version.

"Chevrolet stylists were actually in the wind tunnel with our racing team working with modeling clay to shape the front end of the Impala SS race car," said Suhy. "In working with NASCAR early on, we were able to jointly determine how much real estate we could use for manufacturer identity. I think those early efforts really paid off and it is evident in the additional manufacturer cues on the Impala SS compared to the current race cars."

Suhy added, "One unknown for Bristol is how NASCAR is going to be applying the templates. As NASCAR and the teams continue to work on a gold standard for the template process, GM Racing is trying to help in any way we can. Members of our team who understand the templates and the bodies are working behind-the-scenes with NASCAR and the teams to make sure nothing is left to chance when we arrive in Bristol."

After Team Chevy posted impressive race speeds, GM Racing engineers are optimistic about the performance of the Chevrolet Impala SS at the Bristol race. As a fact, in the second and third sessions, Team Chevy is testing the race car and they have posted eight of the top-10 fastest lap times.

Denny Hamlin, the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Impala SS, leads the record after recording the fastest speed of the day. Hamlin also commended the extensive preparations invested to get ready for the Chevrolet Impala SS debut. "Our team has done a whole lot of homework on this program the last couple of years," said Hamlin. "I am pretty happy about where we are standing because not only are we fast but we are really good on the long runs and that really matters here. I am definitely excited to come back."

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the No. 8 Budweiser Chevy is also impressed with the current performance of the Impala SS. The speeding performance could shy away Flowmaster exhaust. "It actually drives better than our other cars do here," said Earnhardt. "The car is an inch wider. It has a little more grip. I am really pleasantly surprised really. "It has exceeded my expectations at this point and how the car is driving... I enjoy the way my car drives. I think we will get it even better. A lot of guys are running really good which gives me promise that it will be OK."

About the Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.