New Monte Carlo put
on hold
April 10, 1999 Associated Press
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Chevrolet's struggles to get its new Monte
Carlo on the track during the 1999 Winston Cup season ended Saturday. General Motors
Corp. announced that it was halting its bid to win NASCAR's approval of the new car in
time to get it on the track this year, and that the 2000 Monte Carlo's Winston Cup debut
would wait until next year. Since most
Chevrolet teams had been operating for several weeks on the assumption that the new car
would not be ready this year, Saturday's announcement was a mere formality. Chevrolet
marketing general manager Kurt Ritter said that even if NASCAR were to approve the car
immediately, Monte Carlo teams don't think they could get a car ready this year without
jeopardizing their 1999 title chances. "We cannot
ask them to take such a risk," Ritter said. Chevrolet's
12-month quest to get the Monte Carlo approved by the sport's sanctioning body has
resulted in a car that, according to Ritter, would be "uncompetitive on the race
track." NASCAR
officials elected against responding to Ritter's assessment. GM said the
decision to delay the introduction of the race car would not affect the street version of
the 2000 Monte Carlo, which remains on schedule for retail delivery late this summer.
General Motors
Corp. announced that it was halting its bid to win NASCAR's approval of the new car in
time to get it on the track this year, and that the 2000 Monte Carlo's Winston Cup debut
would wait until next year.
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