Penske Announces Winston Cup Team Switch to Dodge for 2003

Penske Racing South will run Dodge cars in 2003, it has been announced.
Team owner Roger Penske will field the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Intrepid R/T and No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge Intrepid R/T with Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman driving the respective cars, beginning at the 45th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2003.
“This is yet another great moment in Dodge’s quest for the NASCAR Winston Cup championship,” said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Motorsports Marketing.
“The addition of Penske Racing South brings even more championship-calibre talent to what is already a first-class group of teams that make up the Dodge Motorsports family. We’ve had many highlights in our return to NASCAR, and with Roger, Rusty and Ryan ready to contribute to the Dodge One Team Approach, you can bet we’ll be an even greater force next year.”
No stranger to the Chrysler Group’s racing heritage, Penske visited victory lane five times in the early 1970s with AMC Matadors, courtesy of drivers Mark Donohue and Bobby Allison. Since returning to NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series in 1991, Penske Racing South has compiled an impressive 37 wins and 32 pole positions in more than 400 team starts. The team’s consistent level of performance will blend well with the talented, dedicated and winning teams that make up the Dodge Motorsports family.
“Joining forces with Dodge Motorsports for 2003 is a natural extension of our existing business relationship with DaimlerChrysler,” Penske said. “In less than 24 months, Dodge has become a major player in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. They’ve won key races. They’ve led the drivers’ points standings most of the year. And just as importantly, they have incredible resources and an enviable, unique approach.”