NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series losing Dodge?

It was a sad day when Dodge and then Ford announced their decision to pull out of the Craftsman Truck Series in 2009. While Dodge is out entirely, Ford remains committed to supplying at least technical support and engineering, just no financial support.

That leaves just GM and Toyota as the two fully funded factory teams left in what has become a shining star in the NASCAR series family.

Since 1995, Dodge has been in the truck series and Dodge used the CTS to build their race program for their return to the Cup series in 2001. Dodge’s historic ties go back to the early days of NASCAR and was made infamous by the pairing of the Dodge and Petty names. Dodge created the Hemi engine, the first to be banned by NASCAR. We were treated to the radical Dodge Charger Daytona and the Plymouth Super Bird back in the late 60s and early 70s. Buddy Baker set the NASCAR speed record in a Daytona Charger on March 24, 1970, a record that sat untouched for 13 years.

After Pontiac left the sport in 2004, Dodge provided another strong alternative to Ford and GM. But Dodge has slipped in recent years, winning fewer races — whether from engine development of the more boxy front end. Toyota had a disappointing Cup debut in 2007, but has certainly stepped up its game more than Dodge has.

Plus, Toyota is a brute to contend with in the CTS. If the economy does not pick up in the next year, it is possible that even Ford may pull out of the CTS. In fact, a Ford and/or GM departure form the CTS could doom the series entirely, leaving us without the one series that consistently has the tightest points title battle in all of NASCAR.

Dodge has given us the best mini van in the world, the return of the Hemi and the Charger and Challenger, as well as boosting muscle car sales with it vaunted Viper. Dodge trucks started a design revolution from the boxy GM and Ford pickups. The Dodge Neon was a welcome breath of fresh air in the small car category. They helped create the SUV category with the Durango and heralded in the new wagon era with the much maligned but breakthrough Magnum.

But as gas prices soared, sales of the powerful but inefficient Dodge SUVs and trucks fell. Dodge was built on the backs of these titans of the road and a lack of smaller, more efficient car choices has put them on the brink.

Meanwhile, rumors swirl around Wall Street and Gasoline Alley about a possible GM-Chrysler merger. Where that leaves Dodge is up in the air. Will Dodge follow Chrysler or will they be spun off for Ford to gobble up?

Whatever the case, we will miss seeing those powerful, sexy Dodge trucks battling for supremacy in the asphalt and concrete arenas. Hail to the gladiators and their chariots.

Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.

Let me know your thoughts at www.chucka@turnleftracing.com.