What Will Chevy Race in 2013 Sprint Cup?

It won’t be an Impala. It won’t be a Malibu. It won’t be a Sonic. It had better not be a Silverado. General Motors has announced that it will be racing a new car in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup, but it’s being tight lipped about what model its 2013 Sprint Cup will be based on.

However, in announcing that it will be a new nameplate and that both the version you’ll see at Daytona next February and the one you’ll find in dealer showrooms are both to be announced later this year means it’s not going to be one already in use.

Taking advantage of the new NASCAR rules, which allow manufacturers to display more of their brand identity in their racecars, the new Chevrolet racecar will closely resemble the production version.

“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable.”

The current Chevrolet racecar, the Impala, took three out of top five spots at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday including the win by Tony Stewart. Since 2007, the Impala has dominated the series, taking the checkered flag 79 times. Chevrolet drivers have also won five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championships, and Jimmie Johnson (4) and Tony Stewart (1) have collected five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver’s championships in the Impala.

“The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are confident the new racecar will allow us to remain the most successful name in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history,” Campbell said.